UPDATE: As part of the Odell Beckham, Jr. trade, the Giants and Browns agreed to re-work the draft picks involved in the Vernon/Zeitler trade. The trade sends Olivier Vernon to the Giants for Kevin Zeitler, according to Art Stapleton.
It’s worth noting that this trade and the Beckham trade could morph into one large trade when the move becomes official. So, the full trade may send Odell Beckham, Jr. and Olivier Vernon to the Browns, and Jabrill Peppers, Kevin Zeitler, a 2019 first-round pick, and a 2019 third-round pick to the Giants.
I’m told the picks flipped in Olivier Vernon/Kevin Zeitler trade between Giants-Browns revert back as part of last night’s blockbuster.
So ultimately, deal is OBJ and Vernon for Zeitler, Peppers, 17th overall and 95th overall (New England’s pick).
NYG get 133 back, Browns 155
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) March 13, 2019
The Browns have acquired defensive lineman Olivier Vernon and a fourth-round pick from the New York Giants in exchange for Kevin Zeitler and a fifth-round pick.
John Dorsey has decided to make second-year guard Austin Corbett step up. Dorsey has always trusted his guys to be productive, and Zeitler was just a bit too expensive for his position. This is basically a wash in cap space but an edge rusher has more value to a team than a guard for the amount he was being paid. This defense could be scary for quarterbacks, especially if Cleveland drafts a guy like Ed Oliver or Christian Wilkins.
Vernon may be 28, but he can still rush the quarterback. He had a grade of 86.8 as a pass rusher, which is only one-fifth of a point behind Myles Garrett.
Another positive of this trade is that it gives Cleveland more options for the draft. Does Cleveland now go with a wide receiver at No. 17? Or maybe they take a cornerback? Two prospects to keep an eye on are wide receiver D.K. Metcalf and cornerback Greedy Williams.
Free agency has also worked out after this trade. Guard T.J. Lang has been released by the Lions and could be a good replacement for less money. Rumors have linked Ndamukong Suh to the Browns.
This could solve the problem of needing a second defensive tackle at the 17th pick of this year’s draft.
In conclusion, although Zeitler was a stud, Browns Nation has faith in John Dorsey.
