Browns trade with Giants-Olivier Vernon coming to Cleveland

There are only five days before the free agency gold rush starts for the National Football League, but the Cleveland Browns and John Dorsey decided to make a move before the rolling out of the wagons began by trading with the New York Giants, but not for the player that so many are unrealistically lusting for.

The Browns sent starting guard Kevin Zeitler and a fifth-round draft pick to the Gothamites and added defensive end/linebacker Olivier Vernon and a fourth rounder in return.
Kevin Zeitler was signed to a large contract during the 2017 free agency period from the Cincinnati Bengals and played well in his two years in Cleveland but with 2018 second rounder Austin Corbett needing a place in the lineup, Zeitler began to look expendable and with the chance to add a solid rusher off the edge, Dorsey's decision to move now looks even better when you look closer.

Olivier Vernon turns 29 during the 2019 season and made the Pro Bowl last season (not quite the achievement that it used to be, so don't allow yourself to be too excited) after a seven-sack season for the Giants.
Those seven sacks came in eleven games after a high ankle sprain caused Vernon to miss the first five games of the season and high ankle sprains are the type of injury that can be difficult to return to full health from in-season, so Vernon's numbers, which weren't bad at all, look even better through that scope..
Vernon was signed from Miami after the 2015 season and in his three seasons in New York, sacked the quarterback twenty-two times, but for the eighty-five million (over five years) contract, Giants fans were mildly disappointed with his play considering his cost.
While I can understand that somewhat, most free agents do wind up being somewhat overpaid, it's the cost of doing business and bringing players to your town.
After all, Kevin Zeitler was very solid for the Browns in his two seasons, but you could make a decent argument that he was overpaid (48 million for five years) for a right guard, so rarely does a signee perform the feat of playing well enough that the paycheck is fair value.

Olivier Vernon is a versatile player that will likely line up as a defensive end opposite Myles Garrett for the Browns, but is more than capable of playing as a stand up outside linebacker for a 3-4 team (which the Giants put into place for the 2018 season) or in specific alignments in the 4-3 and can even drop back a bit in pass coverage without being a liability as so many end rushers are when asked to do that task.
The arrival of Vernon allows Emmanuel Ogbah to move into a backup after he's been a little disappointing as a rusher in the two seasons after the drafting of Myles Garrett or perhaps even see some time inside at defensive tackle, where the Browns are a little light (C'mon Ed Oliver!) other than Larry Ogunjobi.

Don't sleep on the flipping of the Browns fifth rounder for the Giants fourth either as the Browns move up twenty-three picks with that portion of the trade.
The Browns now possess these picks in next month's draft: 1st. 2nd, 3rd, 3rd (Patriots for Danny Shelton), 4th, 4th (Giants for Kevin Zeitler), 5th (Jaguars for Carlos Hyde),5th (Patriots for Josh Gordon), 6th and 7th (Jaguars for Cody Kessler).

I like the trade for both teams as they addressed need areas, but I like it for the Browns a little better with the slightly better player (although more expensive) and the higher draft pick, but the Giants did well here too adding a strong starting lineman for three years and move an expensive player that wasn't going to play in the defense that he signed to play in.
Good work by both teams.

I've generally been very positive on John Dorsey's moves, however, I do wonder about the decision to tender Rashard Higgins only a fifth-round compensation contract.
Higgins played well in the second half and seemed to have a connection with Baker Mayfield, so I expected the Browns to at least offer a second-round tender and with plenty of cap space, I didn't think that would be a big deal to Dorsey.
The fifth round tender comes as a surprise to me, but the Browns can match any offer, so they have a chance of retaining Higgins.
Higgins caught 39 passes (4 touchdowns) for 572 yards in 2018 and should the Browns choose not to match a contract offered to Higgins, they would receive that teams fifth-round draft pick.
Unless the contract offer would be ridiculously high, the Browns are expected to match any offer.
The Browns also tendered contracts to defensive tackle Trevon Coley and special teamer/defensive back Jermaine Whitehead.

Back later with the boxing challenge for the weekend in the fight game/

Browns beef up offensive line

The Cleveland Browns made a major leap forward in arguably making their offensive line one of the better O-line units in the league in free agency with a few signings,an extension for a current Brown and what might be an underrated waiver claim that flew under the radar on day one of free agency.

I'm going to write about the flashier news in a second post on offense and concentrate on the beef up front.
The effort is clearly being made to protect the quarterback (whomever that may be) and being able to open holes for the running game (Isaiah Crowell or any challenger that may come to town).

The biggest addition was guard Kevin Zeitler from the division rival Bengals to be installed at right guard.
The right side of the line was the weaker side last season and most observers had Zeitler as the top offensive lineman available in free agency,
At five years and sixty million dollars,which makes Zeitler the highest paid guard in the game,Zeitler didn't come cheap,but at 27 is in the middle of his prime,so that is a plus as so often in free agency,teams are paying for past production.
Zeitler should be spending his best seasons in Cleveland and the former first rounder from Wisconsin immediately improves the line.

The Browns also decided to scrap any thoughts of returning Cameron Erving to center as they signed J.C. Tretter from Green Bay to man that position.
The sites that grade offensive line play give Tretter high grades,but the concern with Tretter is staying healthy as he has missed 33 games due to injury in his four years with the Packers.
The former Cornell standout (wonder if he knows Andy Bernard?) will solidify the middle of the line,if he can just stay on the field and at 26,he has his best years in front of him.

Cleveland hedged their bets on Tretter as they took advantage of being first on the waiver claim list by claiming former third rounder (2014) Marcus Martin from the 49ers.
Martin started 22 games at center for the Niners in his three seasons and can play guard and even tackle in a pinch,so he not only adds insurance for the health of Tretter,he could be a versatile reserve.
A young player with starting experience on the waiver wire?
There has to be more than this for a crummy team like San Francisco to release Martin,so maybe Martin was their Cameron Erving,but for the waiver cost,I'm willing to take a look.

The final move on the offensive line was an extension to left guard Joel Bitonio for five years and 47 million.
Bitonio is coming off a foot injury,which adds some trepidation,but when he is on the field-Bitonio is a top level player and signing him now keeps him off next years free agent market,where he would have been the best guard available.

I love all these moves and you could make an argument that if any of the contenders at right tackle
(Shon Coleman,Spencer Drango and maybe Cameron Erving) can be even league average,this could be an offensive line that ranks in the top five to ten in the league and that would go a long way in a return to any type of respectability.
Combine those guys with the eventual return of John Greco from injury,the Browns line will be deep as well as good-Been a long time since I've said that!

I'll be back with the signing of Kenny Britt and yes,the trade with the Texans might come up as well...