After trading star pass rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams earlier this offseason, the Cleveland Browns are slowly heading towards a rebuild leading up to the 2026 NFL season.
While the organization told fans this offseason that Garrett will be a lifelong Brown, the decision to trade its franchise cornerstone this offseason indicated that the front office would be willing to move off any veteran for the right price. This calls into question the status of star cornerback Denzel Ward, who is seemingly the next player that could be dealt before Week One.
Here are three potential trade destinations for Ward if the Browns ultimately decide to trade him this offseason.
Detroit Lions
With the Detroit Lions’ Super Bowl window slowly diminishing, it would make sense for the organization to go all in on an elite defensive back like Ward, especially after everything that has transpired this offseason.
After waiving 2024 first-round pick Terrion Arnold earlier this week, Detroit desperately needs a veteran cornerback to instantly become its top defensive back in 2026. The Lions currently have all of their picks for the 2027 NFL Draft, and knowing how aggressive general manager Brad Holmes can be on the trade market, Ward makes perfect sense to help the organization make a push for a Super Bowl title.
San Francisco 49ers
Another team in a similar position to the Lions is the San Francisco 49ers, who have invested in multiple veterans leading up to the 2026 season.
Despite signing two proven cornerbacks this offseason in Nate Hobbs and Jack Jones, the 49ers’ defensive back room does not feature a true, established top cornerback. Luckily for the Browns, San Francisco has multiple young playmakers on the roster who could be included in a trade, which fits general manager Andrew Berry’s mindset of acquiring unproven players to fill the void left by Ward, such as 2024 second-round pick Renardo Green and 2025 third-round pick Upton Stout.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are known for their ability to draft and develop young players; it’s clear that the organization is still missing a top cornerback to lead the unit in 2026.
After losing its key veterans within the cornerback room this offseason, Tampa Bay is left with 2022 fifth-round pick Zyon McCollum and 2025 second-round pick Benjamin Morrison as its primary outside cornerbacks for the upcoming season. If the Buccaneers are truly “all-in” this year, it would make perfect sense for the organization to trade away draft capital or one of the team’s developing defensive backs to acquire a star like Ward.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Three potential trade destinations for Browns’ CB Denzel Ward
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