The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants agreed to a deal which sends Olivier Vernon to Cleveland and Kevin Zeitler to New York.
Cleveland and New York agreed to deal. No, not that one. A deal that sends guard Kevin Zeitler to the Giants and pass rusher Olivier Vernon to the Browns. Ian Rapoport reported the deal Friday morning.
Additionally there was a swap of draft picks between the two clubs.
This trade signals a few things. First off that the free agent market is not a good source of pass rushers and that the Browns believe in Austin Corbett. Secondly Corbett will now take over for Zeitler at the right guard position on the Browns offensive line. Additionally this brings up questions about the future of Emmanuel Ogbah. Ogbah was brought up in trade discussions this weak and the acquisition of Vernon is not necessarily a good sign for his long term outlook.
Olivier Vernon figures to slide into the spot opposite of Myles Garrett. While Vernon played linebacker in New York, he could see time as a defensive end in Cleveland. Of course Cleveland could utilize him in multiple ways, either as a defensive end in one look and switch him to a linebacker in another. Vernon is versatile enough to provide headaches to opposing offenses.
Now onto Austin Corbett. Corbett was selected in the second round last year and many complained about his lack of playing time. Some referring to him as a “wasted pick”. Well Corbett will be playing a lot this year and any question of him potentially replacing J.C. Tretter can now be dismissed. Corbett will take over for Zeitler in the middle of the Browns offensive line.
Just like last year John Dorsey is active on the trade market and this could be the first of many trades for the Cleveland Browns this offseason.
