Dorsey: Browns ready to roll with Giant additions
General manager John Dorsey envisions two former New York Giants awakening the “sleeping giant” he sees in the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns announced Dorsey’s trades for receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and linebacker/defensive end Olivier Vernon on Wednesday, moves capable of transforming the franchise into a legitimate contender.
Dorsey agreed Friday to send starting right guard Kevin Zeitler and a fifth-round draft pick (No. 155 overall) to the Giants for Vernon and a fourth-round selection (No. 132 overall). Then Dorsey rocked the NFL on Tuesday night by agreeing to send a first-round pick (No. 17 overall), a third-round choice (No. 95 overall) and starting strong safety Jabrill Peppers to the Giants for Beckham.
The additions “are very good football players who will come in here and help us achieve our goal, and that’s to be competitive year in and year out in the AFC North,” Dorsey said. “And, hopefully, they are some of the pieces that will help us awaken this sleeping giant.”
Dorsey began poking the giant last year, giving the Browns roster a boost to improve them from 0-16 in 2017 to 7-8-1 in 2018. Now with Baker Mayfield identified as the franchise quarterback coming off his rookie season and coach Freddie Kitchens entering his first season, the window is open to load the roster around Mayfield.
Beckham, 26, is a threetime Pro Bowler known for acrobatic catches and jawdropping moves in the open field. In his five seasons since the Giants drafted him 12th overall in 2014, he has had at least 1,300 receiving yards three times and at least 10 touchdown catches three times.
“Very rarely do you get a chance to acquire a player of this magnitude,” Dorsey said. “He’s at a relatively young age. He’s got a lot of football left in him. Great hands, great work ethic, committed, competitive, he really wants to be great. And that’s all you can ask for.”
Reuniting with Browns receiver Jarvis Landry, one of Beckham’s best friends and a former teammate at LSU, is part of the appeal.
“The Browns are an organization that is moving forward, and it’s exciting to be a part of something special that is in the process of being built,” Beckham said. “We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I really feel like it’s time for the Browns to come together, start winning a lot games and I’m grateful to be a part of that going forward.”
Since the Miami Dolphins drafted him in the third round in 2012, Vernon, 28, has 51 sacks in seven seasons, including seven in 11 games last season. He will play defensive end for the Browns after spending last season as an outside linebacker in the Giants’ 3-4 scheme.
The Browns also acquired former Minnesota defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, who agreed to a three-year contract reportedly worth $39 million.
Around the league
A flurry of moves accompanied the beginning of the free agency period Wednesday.
• Running back Le’veon Bell of Groverport agreed to a deal with the New York Jets after sitting out last season with Pittsburgh. Bell, a former Michigan State star, also announced his decision on Twitter, saying: “I’m back in the green baby, let’s get it.”
• Jacksonville released quarterback Blake Bortles hours after agreeing to terms with Nick Foles. Bortles, the third overall pick in the 2014 draft, was just 13 months into a three-year, $58 million contract.
• The Oakland Raiders have agreed to a deal with freeagent receiver Tyrell Williams. Williams is the second big-time addition at receiver this offseason for Oakland. The team previously agreed to acquire Antonio Brown in a trade with Pittsburgh and give him a new three-year contract.
• Free agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is meeting with the Miami Dolphins to discuss a possible offer to play for his hometown team. A contract agreement would pave the way for the anticipated departure of Ryan Tannehill, who has been with the Dolphins since 2012.
• The Patriots have extended a qualifying offer to restricted free agent receiver Josh Gordon. It keeps alive the possibility that Gordon could rejoin New England if he is reinstated from his latest suspension for violating an agreement that allowed him to play after multiple drug suspensions.