4 NFL Trades That Browns Couldn't Turn Down for Myles Garrett

The Cleveland Browns season is all but over in wake of their latest defeat, a loss that dropped them to 1-6 on the year. With the November 5 NFL trade deadline looming, the organization could opt to become sellers over the next two weeks to start stockpiling assets for an inevitable rebuild.

Cleveland already displayed a willingness to ship off veterans in exchange for draft picks by dealing Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills last week. Myles Garrett could be the next domino to fall and there seems to be no shortage of interest in the league's reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, several general managers have been calling to inquire about Garrett's availability. While the NFL insider doesn't believe the Browns will ultimately elect to move on from Garrett, the club could be tempted by an offer too good to refuse.

While it won't be easy to give up on Garrett due to his age (he wont turn 29 until late December), incredibly consistent production (he's earned three All-Pro and five Pro Bowl nods since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2017) and affordable contract (he's only the fifth-highest paid edge defender in terms of average annual value and still has three more seasons left on the five-year, $125 million extension he received in 2020), the Browns could decide they would benefit more from the numerous picks and players they would receive in a trade.

The high asking price and salary will realistically put many teams out of the running, but just about every contender would benefit from Garrett's services and would do whatever it takes to fit his contract under the cap if they're able to negotiate a deal that convinces Cleveland to part ways.

With that in mind, here's a look at four trades that the Browns would have to at least consider if offered for Garrett.

Cleveland Browns receive: 2025 first-round pick, 2025 fourth-round pick, 2026 third-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick, QB Michael Penix Jr.

Atlanta Falcons receive: Edge Myles Garrett

The Atlanta Falcons made waves this offseason when they dished out a blockbuster contract to land Kirk Cousins in free agency. The decision to sign the star quarterback signaled that the franchise not only intends to compete for its first playoff berth since 2017, but also to win a Super Bowl.

After a rough 1-3 start, Atlanta's offense has finally started to click. The unit now ranks No. 7 in total offense and has led the side to three wins in its last four games. The defense isn't playing at the same level, however, and needs the type of help only a game-changing talent like Myles Garrett can provide.

Through seven weeks, the Falcons have created a league-low six sacks and allow an NFL-worst 72.1 completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks. Garrett alone has four sacks and leads a Cleveland pass-rushing unit that has helped hold opposing signal-callers to a meager 58.8 completion rate, the NFL's second-best mark.

While there are some positives to Atlanta's defense—it concedes fewer than 200 yards per game through the air and has secured five interceptions, two marks in the top half of the league—this group simply isn't good enough as is for the organization to accomplish its lofty goals.

The Falcons could use Michael Penix Jr., the player they were lambasted for drafting No. 8 overall mere weeks after signing Cousins, as a trade chip for Garrett. The Browns are desperate for help under center following Deshaun Watson's latest season-ending injury and could potentially land their next franchise quarterback by making this move.

Cleveland Browns receive: 2025 first-round pick, 2026 first-round pick, conditional 2026 third-round pick (becomes a 2026 second-round pick if Detroit reaches the Super Bowl)

Detroit Lions receive: Edge Myles Garrett

The Detroit Lions were dealt a crushing blow when it was revealed that Aidan Hutchinson would be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

While there's been whispers that Hutchinson could recover and potentially be available in time for Super Bowl LIX, the Lions will have a much tougher time reaching the big game without the star edge rusher in the fold.

Detroit managed to hold off the surging Minnesota Vikings to take over first place in the NFC North in their first full game without Hutchinson, but they gave up a season-high 29 points while allowing Sam Darnold to complete 22 of his 27 throws. Even with the defense collecting a respectable four sacks, the Lions largely failed to keep consistent pressure on the opposing passer without Hutchinson's ability to disrupt.

Bringing in a top-tier edge rusher like Myles Garrett would allow Detroit to continue dominating the trenches and eventually create the league's most ferocious edge rushing tandem upon Hutchinson's return.

Although the Lions would have to mortgage the future by giving up multiple Day 1 and 2 picks to acquire him, the Cleveland superstar would almost guarantee Detroit's defense finishes as one of the NFL's best in 2024. It's a risk that's likely worth taking with the Lombardi Trophy in sight and the team could even tie a conditional Day 2 pick to making the Super Bowl with Garrett in the lineup.

Cleveland Browns receive: 2025 first-round pick, 2026 first-round pick, 2025 third-round pick, 2026 third-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick

Cincinnati Bengals receive: Edge Myles Garrett

The Cincinnati Bengals haven't gotten off to the start expected from a team with Super Bowl aspirations. While they've begun to right the ship after opening the year with three losses, they're still below .500 heading into Week 8 and clearly need some help on the defensive side of the ball.

The Bengals have recorded just 12 sacks across their seven contests and have allowed opposing passers to rack up 11 touchdowns against their defense. They rank in the bottom-half of the league in most major defensive categories, including both total and passing yards conceded and points given up.

Although Cincinnati does employ one of the NFL's more dangerous edge defenders in Trey Hendrickson—who leads the team with seven sacks—the rest of this pass rushing unit hasn't been nearly as impactful. Sam Hubbard is the only Bengal to record more than a single sack in 2024 and has just two on the year.

While Cincy has managed to hold teams like the New York Giants and Garrett's Cleveland Browns to a combined 21 points over the last two weeks, it allowed both the Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens to put up 38 points apiece in their matchups.

Even the lowly Carolina Panthers managed to rack up 24 points—their second-highest mark of 2024—during their meeting with the Bengals.

Acquiring Myles Garrett would instantly elevate a Bengals defense that has mightily struggled against top-tier opponents. If Cincinnati's brass truly believes this team can fully reverse its early season fortunes and go on a run by adding one more piece, it would be well worth the high price of prying the reigning Defensive Player of the Year away from an in-state AFC North rival.

Cleveland Browns receive: 2025 first-round pick, 2026 first-round pick, 2025 third-round pick, 2026 third-round pick

Dallas Cowboys receive: Edge Myles Garrett

In wake of their third consecutive 12-5 campaign that ended with an early playoff exit, the Dallas Cowboys surprisingly elected to run it back with largely the same cast as last year. That quiet offseason hasn't been paying off for the organization, which is now sitting at 3-3 and third place in a relatively weak NFC East.

Although offensive woes are certainly at least partially responsible for this tepid start—the Cowboys are a meager No. 12 in yardage and No. 20 in scoring after finishing top-five in both last season—the defense has taken an even larger step back in 2024.

Heading into Week 8, Dallas has allowed 356.5 yards and 28 points per game—respectively ranking No. 24 and No. 31 in the league. It's a massive shift from 2023 when the team conceded just 299.7 yards and 18.5 points per contest and rated in the top five for each category.

Micah Parsons' injury woes and ineffectiveness are a major reason for this downturn. After recording at least 13 sacks in each of his first three seasons and finishing last year with a career-best 14, he's managed to record just one across the four games he's been active for.

The Cowboys need to get Parsons some help while he gets back to full strength. The team also needs to look towards the future, as the aging combination of DeMarcus Lawrence and Eric Kendricks (both 32 years old this season) are two of just three players on the roster with more than one sack right now.

Trading for Myles Garrett—a Dallas native who hoped his hometown club would move up the board to land him back in 2017—won't solve all the Cowboys' ills, but he'd certainly remedy nearly all of the defensive issues this squad is dealing with. Garrett is not only the splashy, big-name superstar who Dallas ownership prefers to target in trades, but he's also the type of generational talent who could get this team back on track to contend for championships.