New York will be without another of its most recent Pro Bowlers in 2019.
The Giants are sending Olivier Vernon and a fourth round pick to the Browns in exchange for guard Kevin Zeitler and a fifth round pick. NFL Media's Ian Rapoport first reported the news.
Zeitler - a former first round pick - is ranked the sixth best guard in the league, per Pro Football Focus. The right guard was instrumental in the success of quarterback Baker Mayfield in Cleveland. The Giants will hope he can help Eli Manning stay upright.
Vernon goes to an increasingly talented Browns defense that ranked 21st in points allowed last year. The team took on former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks as defensive coordinator to work with young stars like Denzel Ward and Myles Garrett.
Reports surfaced recently that New York was willing to move on from one of their best pass rushers after signing Vernon to a five-year, $85 million deal three years ago. Vernon recorded 28 tackles for loss, 22 sacks, and 56 quarterback hits in 39 games with New York -- not necessarily living up to what they were paying him.
Trading Vernon now saves the Giants $1.5 million - after factoring in Zeitler's contract - but brings $8 million in dead money to 2019, per Over The Cap. Vernon is the second Pro Bowl player on defence preparing to leave New York this off-season, after the Giants acknowledged they would not be franchise tagging safety Landon Collins.
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