New Orleans moved up to No. 74 for linebacker Zack Baun and…
New Orleans moved up to No. 74 for linebacker Zack Baun and also received pick No. 244, while Cleveland acquired No. 88 and a 2021 third-rounder. Baun never became a full-time defensive centerpiece during four Saints seasons, and his later All-Pro breakthrough came after he left for Philadelphia. Cleveland received useful snaps from Jordan Elliott, but Anthony Schwartz added little, leaving the direct results close.
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 2020 3rd round pick (88th overall, Jordan Elliott)
- pick 2021 3rd round pick (91st overall, Anthony Schwartz)
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 2020 3rd round pick (74th overall, Zack Baun)
- pick 2020 7th round pick (244th overall subsequently traded, Nate Stanley )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
New Orleans traded picks Nos. 88 and a 2021 third-round selection to Cleveland for No. 74 and No. 244 in the 2020 draft. The Saints selected linebacker Zack Baun at No. 74 and later moved the seventh-rounder. Cleveland used No. 88 on defensive tackle Jordan Elliott and the future third-round pick on receiver Anthony Schwartz.
Why the Value Separated
Baun's later career can distort this trade if it is credited to New Orleans. With the Saints from 2020 through 2023, he was primarily a part-time defender and special-teams player, with only a limited number of defensive starts. His first-team All-Pro breakthrough came with Philadelphia in 2024 after his Saints contract ended. Cleveland received several seasons of rotational work from Elliott, while Schwartz never established himself as a significant offensive weapon.
How the Deal Aged
The Saints clearly identified an NFL-caliber player, but they did not receive the version of Baun who later became a star. The Browns gained extra draft capital and a useful defensive lineman, yet the future third-round pick failed to deliver a meaningful second hit. New Orleans' seventh-round return also did not materially change the balance. Each side can point to some legitimate value, but neither direct package created a durable high-end advantage.
Final Verdict
This remains an Even Trade with C grades for both clubs. New Orleans got four years from Baun but did not maximize his defensive talent before he left. Cleveland turned the move down into Elliott plus Schwartz, receiving one useful rotational player and one disappointing selection. Baun's success in Philadelphia belongs to his later career, not to the Saints' return from this transaction.