Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots swap young linebackers

The New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns are swapping 2019 draft picks Chase Winovich and Mack Wilson in a two-way trade on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

Chase Winovich, the Patriots’ third-round draft pick at No. 77 overall, is heading to Cleveland to help bolster the Browns’ pass rush. Meanwhile, Mack Wilson, a fifth-round draft pick for the Browns out of Alabama, joins New England’s retooled defense.

Winovich was a major part of the Patriots defense in 2020, recording 48 total tackles to go along with six sacks. However, a hamstring injury hampered his ability to make a big impact in 2021. In seven games played, he totaled 11 tackles, six solo tackles.

The former Michigan Wolverine signed a four-year, $3.83 million rookie contract, which the Browns will now take over with $965,000 due in 2022.

Mack Wilson played in 10 games for the Cleveland Browns this season. He racked up 42 tackles, 26 solo, and three tackles for loss. The Alabama native was on a four-year, $2.82 million deal with the Browns. The Patriots will pay him $2.5 million for the 2022 season.

Mack Wilson projects to the off-the-line linebacker spot in the Patriots’ scheme. Alabama-to-Patriots pipeline has produced results there.

Chase Winovich was more of OLB/DE. He was inactive for the playoff loss in Buffalo, an indication that his future in New England was shaky.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 15, 2022

Browns eyeing trade for Deshaun Watson

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson avoided criminal charges on Friday, starting the process of his seemingly inevitable trade away from the organization. Following meetings with the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints, there’s reportedly a new team interested in a trade.

The Cleveland Browns received permission to meet with Watson on Tuesday, according to Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson.

“The Browns … are not entirely sold on moving forward with Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback and have fielded exploratory trade calls, according to sources,” Wilson writes.

The former Heisman was near the bottom of the league in passing yards as he played through a shoulder injury. He posted a 17:13 touchdown-interception ratio in 2021 and he’s due almost $19 million for 2022.