Cleveland, OH (92.3 The Fan) – We have a Browns-Giants trade, just not the one everyone was expecting or hoping for.
All week there was a sense something was brewing in Berea and on Friday the first domino fell.
The Browns have agreed to trade right guard Kevin Zeitler to the New York Giants along with the 155th overall pick (fifth round) for defensive end Olivier Vernon and the 132nd overall pick (fourth round) multiple sources confirmed to 92.3 The Fan.
NFL Network first reported the trade.
The deal gives the Browns a Pro Bowl talent to pair opposite of Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett, who had 13.5 sacks in 2018, while also clearing the path for another young player to play.
The Browns cannot officially comment on any agreed to trades until they officially go through when the new league year and free agency begins next Wednesday at 4 p.m. eastern.
The trade of Zeitler, who was set to enter the third year of a five-year, $60 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2017, clears the way for Austin Corbett to step into the starting lineup after seeing limited playing time as rookie. Dorsey selected Corbett 33rd overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
The Browns still have significant dollars invested on their offensive line - $7-9 million for left tackle Greg Robinson this year, $36 million over the next four years for left guard Joel Bitonio, $5.75 million for center J.C. Tretter and $27.5 million and four years remaining on right tackle Chris Hubbard’s deal.
With the premiere pass rush market tied up this offseason in franchise tags – Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett ($15.209 mil.), Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence ($17.128 mil.), Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney ($15.443 mil.), Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford ($15.443 mil.), and Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark ($17.128 mil.) – Dorsey went wheeling and dealing to fill a major need.
Vernon, who was limited to 11 games last season after suffering a high ankle sprain during the preseason that cost him the first five games, is coming off his first Pro Bowl season that saw him tally 30 tackles, 7.0 sacks, 21 QB hits, five tackles for loss, a pass breakup and forced fumble.
He had six sacks over the Giants final five games in 2018.
Over seven seasons Vernon has racked up 22.0 sacks, 130 QB hits and 71 tackles for loss.
In 2016, Vernon signed a five-year, $85 million contract as a free agent, including a $20 million signing bonus and $52.5 million guaranteed. He has two years and $31 million remaining on that deal and will make a base salary of $15.25 million with a $250,000 workout bonus each year.
The move is the second made this week intended to fortify the front seven of the defense. Earlier this week linebacker Jamie Collins was released clearing $9.5 million in salary cap space.
Overall, Friday’s trade agreement looks to another savvy Dorsey move, but Corbett is the wild card here and a lot of faith has just been put in him.
