Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports that the Giants are trading OLB Olivier Vernon to the Browns on Friday.
- According to Ian Rapoport, the Browns are sending the Giants G Kevin Zeitler in return for Vernon.
- Garafolo adds that the Giants are sending their fourth-round pick for the Browns fifth-round pick.
Both Vernon and Zeitler had reportedly been available for trade the past few weeks and there was some buzz in recent days that the Giants and Browns could be working on a trade.
In the end, the Giants get a top-tier guard to add to their offensive line and the Browns get another pass rusher pair with Myles Garrett.
Vernon, 28, is a former third-round pick of the Dolphins back in 2012. He played out the final year of his rookie contract before the Dolphins used their transition tag on him.
However, Miami later decided to rescind the tag and Vernon went on to sign a five-year, $85 million contract from the Giants in 2016.
According to OverTheCap.com, trading Vernon will free up $11.5 million of available cap space while creating $8 million in dead money.
In 2018, Vernon appeared in 11 games for the Giants and recorded 30 tackles, seven sacks, a forced fumble, a recovery and a pass defense. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 13 edge rusher out of 103 qualifying players.
Zeitler, 28, was taken in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft out of Wisconsin. He played out the final year of his four-year, $7.544 million rookie contract when the Bengals elected to pick up his fifth-year option.
From there, the Browns signed Zeitler to a five-year, $60 million deal that included $31.5 million guaranteed in 2017.
In 2018, Zeitler appeared in all 16 games for the Browns and is rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 6 guard out of 77 qualifying players.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
Hey Bouda! I called Vernon to the Brownies yesterday in response to Aditi Kinky’s piece on a possible Beckham trade. This trade is GREAT for the GMEN. Some ANALysts grade it a B- for the GMEN. Yeah a B-!!!!! For the 6th ranked OG in the NFL, going to the GMEN, a team that needs an o-line overhaul.
I actually proposed Beckham and Vernon to the Brownies for their 2019 1st and 3rd rounders and the rights to Callaway and ZEITLER.
What does this mean for Jamon Brown though? Do the GMEN kick Brown outside to right tackle? Chad Wheeler could play some LT. It’s a GREAT problem to have on the right side with Zeitler, Brown and Wheeler.
The GMEN should definitely resign Landon Collins, Jamon Brown and take a flyer on the recently released DT/DE Malik McDowell. With these three moves the GMEN could go in any direction they want in the 2019 NFL DRAFT.
Next up Odell Beckham Jr. This Beckham trade is definitely going down, regardless to the beliefs some people have on the subject. Giving up a much needed 4th rounder in the Vernon trade, this leaves the GMEN with one less 4th rounder and ZERO 3rd rounders. Unless! The GMEN are going to trade down from the 6th pick for more draft collateral.