The Giants and Browns made a significant deal today, with guard Kevin Zeitler going to New York and pass rusher Olivier Vernon going to the Browns. It's a deal that seems to be largely influenced by contracts, as there isn't much other reason for the Browns to be parting with one of the league's very best guards for a pass rusher who's disappointed the last two seasons.
The Browns are apparently hoping last year's second-round pick Austin Corbett takes over for Zeitler, though it's a little odd they didn't think they could find room for both on their line. Whatever the case, Zeitler is one of the league's highest-paid guards (only Zack Martin and Andrew Norwell make more) and the Browns must figure they'd rather spend their money elsewhere. Like on a pass rusher.
Vernon has been a disappointment since signing a big contract with the Giants, but maybe it was the defense. New York, once best known for its pass rush (remember Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul, who the team also traded a year ago), can't get that pass rush sorted out. Over the last four seasons, only lowly Oakland (hmm, they also traded a top pass rusher away recently) has fewer sacks than the Giants.
| TEAM SACKS, 2015-2018 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | '15 | '16 | '17 | '18 | Tot |
| Pittsburgh | 48 | 38 | 56 | 52 | 194 |
| Carolina | 44 | 47 | 50 | 35 | 176 |
| Denver | 52 | 42 | 33 | 44 | 171 |
| Minnesota | 43 | 41 | 37 | 50 | 171 |
| Arizona | 36 | 48 | 37 | 49 | 170 |
| Chicago | 35 | 37 | 42 | 50 | 164 |
| Washington | 38 | 38 | 42 | 46 | 164 |
| Green Bay | 43 | 40 | 37 | 44 | 164 |
| LA Rams | 41 | 31 | 48 | 41 | 161 |
| Seattle | 37 | 42 | 39 | 43 | 161 |
| Tennessee | 39 | 40 | 43 | 39 | 161 |
| Jacksonville | 36 | 33 | 55 | 37 | 161 |
| Kansas City | 47 | 28 | 31 | 52 | 158 |
| New England | 49 | 34 | 42 | 30 | 155 |
| Philadelphia | 37 | 34 | 38 | 44 | 153 |
| New Orleans | 31 | 30 | 42 | 49 | 152 |
| Baltimore | 37 | 31 | 41 | 43 | 152 |
| Houston | 45 | 31 | 32 | 43 | 151 |
| Cincinnati | 42 | 33 | 41 | 34 | 150 |
| LA Chargers | 32 | 35 | 43 | 38 | 148 |
| Detroit | 42 | 26 | 35 | 43 | 146 |
| Dallas | 31 | 36 | 38 | 39 | 144 |
| Tampa Bay | 38 | 38 | 22 | 38 | 136 |
| NY Jets | 39 | 27 | 28 | 39 | 133 |
| Indianapolis | 35 | 33 | 25 | 38 | 131 |
| Atlanta | 19 | 34 | 39 | 37 | 129 |
| San Francisco | 28 | 33 | 30 | 37 | 128 |
| Cleveland | 29 | 26 | 34 | 37 | 126 |
| Miami | 31 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 125 |
| Buffalo | 21 | 39 | 27 | 36 | 123 |
| NY Giants | 23 | 35 | 27 | 30 | 115 |
| Oakland | 38 | 25 | 31 | 13 | 107 |
The Browns are also well down there, so maybe they think Vernon will be the answer. He'll play in a 4-3 defense again, while the Giants favored a 3-4. They're gambling that Vernon will help the pass rush, and maybe being in the same lineup with Myles Garrett will help both players.
But strictly based on performance, the Giants seem to be getting the better player. Their line was pretty bad a year ago, and Zeitler is one of the best at his position. Big help to Saquon Barkley, and also the protection up front for Eli Manning.
Maybe the trade is a win-win, and the money issues are best-known to the teams involved. Early sense is that it's a better move for the Giants (they just need to find a pass rush somehow).
--Andy Richardson