Browns’ Proposal To Allow Teams To Trade Draft Picks Five Years Out Advances

The NFL announced Wednesday that the Browns’ proposal to allow draft selections to be traded up to five seasons in the future has advanced and will be considered by the committee at the NFL Annual Meeting this offseason. 

Here’s the full proposal from the Browns:

“Whereas, pursuant to Article XVI, Section 16.6, of the National Football League
Constitution and Bylaws, trades for past, future, or nominal consideration are prohibited.

“Whereas, among other items or devices that may cause a trade to be rejected or constituting
nominal consideration are those involving draft choices in selection meetings more than three (3)
seasons in the future, and

“Whereas, Clubs operate under strategic plans that extend beyond three (3) seasons. These
strategies are supported by accessto modern data and advanced modeling tools which enable Clubs
to forecast roster decisions, and

“Whereas, allowing the trading of draft choices more than three (3) seasons in the future 1)
would provide Clubs with greater roster-building flexibility, 2) would create more creative trade
structures that better mirror the valuations of both draft selections and players, 3) would increase
the liquidity of draft capital which supports league-wide parity, 4) would improve alignment with
contract and salary cap cycles, and 5) would encourage a more active trade market.

“Be it Resolved, that the definition of Nominal Consideration be revised in part as follows:
Among other items or devices that may cause a trade to be rejected or constituting nominal
consideration are those involving draft choices in selection meetings more than three five seasons
in the future.

“Submitted by Cleveland Browns

“Effect: Allows draft selections to be traded up to five (5) seasons in the future.

“Reason: Provides Clubs with greater roster-building flexibility by expanding the range of future
draft assets available for trade.”

For what it’s worth, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports says he would be “floored” if the Browns’ proposal actually passed this offseason. 

Jones mentions that it’s “very rare” for a team to proposal such a “radical change” to league rules and it passes during the first vote. 

We’ll have more regarding potential changes to league rules as the news is available.