Browns agree to send LB/DE Avery to Eagles for 2021 pick
BEREA, OHIO >> The Cleveland Browns have agreed to trade linebacker Genard Avery to the Philadelphia Eagles for an undisclosed 2021 draft pick.
A fifth-round pick from Memphis in 2018, Avery played 16 games — starting five — for Cleveland last season and showed potential as an edge rusher. However, he has been active for only two games this season and general manager John Dorsey figured it was time to move the 6-foot, 250-pounder, who can also play defensive end.
Avery had 39 tackles and 4½ sacks last season and it was assumed he would have an impact this season. However, he didn’t fit new coordinator Steve Wilks’ schemes and was a healthy scratch for two games.
He played three snaps in Sunday’s loss at New England and was credited with a pressure on Tom Brady.
Dorsey could make other moves in advance of Tuesday’s trade deadline. Cornerback T.J. Carrie said he’s heard his name mentioned in deals but hasn’t been told anything by the Browns.
During Cleveland’s bye week, Dorsey said he has had conversations with the Washington Redskins about disgruntled Pro Bowl offensive tackle Trent Williams, who hasn’t played this season due to a contract dispute.
Dorsey said he had spoken with Redskins president Bruce Allen about Williams but “it takes two to tango” to strike a deal.
It would likely take the Browns giving up a firstround pick to land the 31-year-old Williams. The Browns benched starting left tackle Greg Robinson and replaced him with Justin McCray on Sunday against the Patriots.
McCray said Monday he has not been told if he’s starting this week at Denver. JETS TRADE WILLIAMS TO GIANTS FOR 2 PICKS >> The Big Cat is joining Big Blue.
The New York Jets traded defensive lineman Leonard Williams to the Giants on Monday for a third-round draft pick next year and a fifthrounder in 2021, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal.
Williams was the No. 6 overall pick of the Jets in 2015 and made the Pro Bowl in his second season, but never truly lived up to his lofty draft status. He has 17 career sacks, but none in seven games this season for the struggling Jets.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither team had announced the deal, which is the first completed trade between the teams that share MetLife Stadium as their home.
ESPN first reported the trade Monday, a day before the NFL’s trade deadline.
Williams is scheduled to become a free agent after this season. The fifthrounder the Jets are receiving could become a fourth-rounder if the Giants sign Williams to a contract extension.
He will provide experience on the Giants’ defensive line, where he’ll work alongside Dexter Lawrence, Dalvin Tomlinson and B.J. Hill.
Williams also won’t have to wait long before facing his former team: The Jets host the Giants on Nov. 10. CARDINALS ACQUIRE DOLPHINS RB DRAKE >> The Arizona Cardinals have acquired running back Kenyan Drake from the Miami Dolphins for a conditional sixth-round draft pick in 2020.
The 25-year-old Drake is in his fourth season in the league and gives the Cardinals some depth at the banged-up running back position. Starter David Johnson has missed most of the past two weeks with an ankle injury and backup Chase Edmonds injured his hamstring in the team’s 31-9 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Drake has played in six games this season, running for 174 yards and averaging 3.7 yards per carry.
The Cardinals (3-4-1) have a quick turnaround in their schedule, facing the undefeated San Francisco 49ers (7-0) on Thursday night. BRONCOS QB FLACCO OUT >> Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco, who ripped Denver’s coaches for their play-calling in their lastminute loss at Indianapolis, won’t play next week because of a herniated disk in his neck.
Coach Vic Fangio said backup Brandon Allen will start Sunday when the Broncos (2-6) host the Cleveland Browns (2-5). Fangio said he’ll decide this week between two rookies as the backup: second-round draft pick Drew Lock, who is on IR with a right thumb injury, or undrafted QB Brett Rypien, who is on the practice squad.
Just last week, the Broncos were talking about slow-rolling Lock’s return to practice, which would trigger a two-week window in which they’d have to activate him or have him sit out the remainder of the season. Lock sprained the thumb on his throwing hand during the preseason and hasn’t practiced since mid-August.
Flacco said he’s been dealing with a sore neck for a while and he was getting it worked on between series Sunday.B