Cleveland Browns–Denver Broncos Trade History

Denver traded veteran defensive end Rich Jackson to Cleveland during the 1972 season for a 1973 third-round draft choice. That selection became offensive lineman Paul Howard. Jackson had been one of the Broncos’ first great defenders, but knee trouble had begun to limit him and 1972 became his final NFL season.

Denver sent quarterback Don Horn to Cleveland and received the Browns' 1974 third- and sixth-round selections. The third-rounder became No. 68 overall, tackle Claudie Minor, while the sixth-rounder was later moved to Pittsburgh. Horn appeared only sparingly for Cleveland in 1973, whereas Minor became a long-term Denver starter, giving the Broncos the stronger return.

Cleveland received linebacker Lonnie Hepburn in the February 1975 exchange. Hepburn did not establish meaningful regular-season value for the Browns, leaving the franchise with little realized benefit from moving Billy Andrews. The C- grade reflects that low return and mirrors Denver's outcome, since Andrews was released before the Broncos could receive regular-season production from him.

Cleveland acquired veteran defensive end Lyle Alzado and received several productive seasons from a proven pass rusher. Alzado became an important member of the Browns defense, so Cleveland did obtain the immediate veteran value it sought. The price was substantial, however, because Denver turned the draft package into Rulon Jones and additional assets that lasted beyond Alzado’s Cleveland tenure.

Denver acquired linebacker Robert L. Jackson from Cleveland and surrendered its 1982 sixth-round selection. The move provided an immediate veteran option, but the approved hindsight evaluation gives Denver only a C because the player return did not clearly exceed the value of the draft asset. The transaction remained useful but modest for the Broncos.

Denver acquired wide receiver Dave Logan from Cleveland and surrendered the fourth-round selection that became No. 96 Rickey Bolden. Logan provided the Broncos with a veteran receiving option, so Denver did receive practical football value. The approved hindsight comparison nevertheless gives the controlled fourth-round asset a slight edge, leaving Denver at C rather than a losing grade far below average.

Denver sent Cleveland the 13th pick in the 1989 draft for Nos. 20, 47, 134 and 241. The Broncos selected Steve Atwater at No. 20, landing a future Hall of Fame safety and cornerstone of two Super Bowl champions. Cleveland used No. 13 on Eric Metcalf, a three-time Pro Bowler and elite multipurpose threat, making this an excellent trade for both clubs.

Denver moved from No. 14 to No. 11 in the 1993 first round, sending Cleveland the 14th pick and No. 83. The Broncos selected defensive lineman Dan Williams, while the Browns landed center Steve Everitt and linebacker Mike Caldwell. Williams had a useful career, but Cleveland received two long-term NFL contributors, including a durable starting center. The Browns clearly won the value comparison.

Denver acquired defensive tackle Gerard Warren from Cleveland in March 2005 for a fourth-round selection, later No. 126. Cleveland subsequently moved that choice before Philadelphia selected Todd Herremans, so Herremans was not a direct Browns return from this trade. Warren gave Denver an experienced interior defender for a mid-round price, while Cleveland's recovered pick did not remain with the club. Denver holds the clearer advantage.

Denver Broncos received Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers in the exchange with Cleveland Browns. Its C+ grade reflects the practical value of that return relative to the package surrendered and the hindsight result. The grade remains tied to documented value for the acquiring club, without assigning credit for unresolved or hypothetical downstream consideration.

Denver acquired quarterback Brady Quinn from Cleveland for Peyton Hillis plus two future picks, a 2011 sixth-rounder and a conditional 2012 choice that became a fifth-rounder. Quinn never became Denver's answer at quarterback. Hillis, meanwhile, erupted for a 1,000-yard rushing season in Cleveland and became the most productive immediate asset in the deal. The added draft capital pushes this heavily toward the Browns.

Denver sent picks No. 87 and No. 120 to Cleveland to jump twenty spots for Ronnie Hillman at No. 67. Hillman became a useful four-year Broncos runner and led the 2015 Super Bowl champions in regular-season rushing. Cleveland used its selections on John Hughes and James-Michael Johnson, with Hughes developing into a rotational defensive tackle. The Browns found some value, but Hillman's role on a championship offense gives Denver the edge.

Cleveland Browns received 2017 4th round pick (126th overall, Howard Wilson) and 2017 7th round pick (252nd overall, Matthew Dayes) from Denver Broncos, sending 2017 5th round pick (145th overall, Jake Butt) and 2017 5th round pick (175th overall subsequently traded, DeAngelo Yancey) the other way. With no durable impact gap large enough to separate the sides, an even mid-level grade is the most supportable verdict. That outcome supports a C grade for Cleveland Browns, and the overall verdict is Even Trade.

Cleveland Browns Cleveland acquired fullback Andy Janovich, who played 27 games with six starts across two Browns seasons and supplied useful blocking, special-teams work, and offensive role value. The supported hindsight grade is B-. That mark weighs only value tied directly to this transaction and keeps the result proportional to the deal's cost. Against Denver Broncos, the final verdict is Cleveland Browns Win.

Cleveland acquired Jerry Jeudy from Denver for fifth- and sixth-round selections in the 2024 draft. The Broncos later moved those picks, while Jeudy immediately delivered a Pro Bowl season for Cleveland with 90 receptions and 1,229 yards in 2024. Turning two Day 3 selections into a prime-age receiver with that level of production gives the Browns a decisive hindsight advantage.

Denver moved up to No. 152 in the 2026 draft and selected NC State tight end Justin Joly. The Broncos sent Cleveland picks No. 170 and No. 182 to make the move. Joly gave Denver a targeted pass-catching prospect, but the deal required two later selections for one fifth-round choice and no regular-season results are available yet. The current C grade reflects a defensible bet rather than a proven win.