The Cleveland Browns made a bold and, for once, smart move by trading down out of the No. 2 overall slot and acquiring a wealth of draft picks. But since the team's roster is still completely devoid of talent and years away from competing, why not go even further and embrace this rebuilding phase full on? The Browns should continue to tear things down so they can slowly, but surely, build it back up.
Let's face it, six-time first-team All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas has wasted his career in Cleveland. He deserves to play for a contender and the Browns don't project to be Super Bowl favorites anytime soon. In an effort to do right by Thomas and, more importantly, put themselves in a position to succeed long-term, the Browns could send him off in return for additional premium picks. Specifically, the Seattle Seahawks could offer their first-rounder (No. 26) and maybe a mid-round pick as compensation.
Thomas, 31, essentially has three years and $29.5 million left on his deal, a steal for a player of his caliber. Though he's on the wrong side of 30, he's coming off the ninth Pro Bowl season of his career and hasn't missed a single snap in his nine-year career. He'd upgrade an offensive line that was considered shaky well before it lost left tackle Russell Okung and guard J.R. Sweezy to free agency this offseason. Thomas' addition alone wouldn't fix all of the line issues that plague Seattle, but it would add a superstar to the roster's second-most critical position. For a win-now contender like Seattle, it makes sense.
On the flip side, the Browns don't really need any talented veterans at the moment. Given the shape of their roster, the team is all but guaranteed to finish last in the AFC North again this season. After the wash that was the 2014 NFL Draft, which saw Cleveland whiff badly on two first-round picks (Justin Gilbert, Johnny Manziel), the Browns can use as many additional chances for redemption as they can get.
Imagine jump-starting this rebuilding process with six picks in the first two rounds over the next two years. The infusion of young and inexpensive talent could set the Browns up similarly to the Oakland Raiders, who built a nucleus through the draft that attracted marquee free agents this offseason. Thomas has been a great Brown, but he's not going to make or break the team in 2016.
It's time for Cleveland to rip up the foundation and make way for something new.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby.
