ESPN analyst of the trade … not sure I understand their logic
A) Pickett is definitely better DTR
B) it was only a 5th round pick … and the Browns have multiple late round picks
C) Pickett is at least a serviceable backup and is still relatively young
D) Getting rid of DTR … additional by subtraction IMO
Eagles get: QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, 2025 fifth-round pick
Browns get: QB Kenny Pickett
Eagles trade: A
Browns trade: D
A year ago, the Eagles traded for Pickett by giving a package that, by our draft pick calculations, was roughly equivalent to a borderline fifth- or sixth-round pick. Forty-three pass attempts later and now the Browns have given up a fifth-round selection plus Thompson-Robinson for a more expensive year of Pickett (he'll cost them $2.6 million in cash this year as opposed to a little under for $2 million for the Eagles last year). I don't see the logic.
The Browns need a quarterback, don't get me wrong. I just don't believe that the team -- which is highly leveraged against the cap and needs all the draft capital it can muster -- ought to be burning picks on someone like Pickett. The former first-rounder -- who ranked 20th in QBR his rookie season but dropped to 27th in 2023 before being discarded by the Steelers -- has plenty of equivalents who could surely be acquired without giving up a fifth-round pick (and Thompson-Robinson).
Cleveland's focus at quarterback surely is on the draft, and rightfully so. But the Browns probably could have done just as well, and maybe better (Kirk Cousins?!) without having to make this deal.