Browns Trade DE Genard Avery to Eagles for 4th-Round Draft Pick in 2021
By Adam Weinrib
We may not be in the eye of the trade deadline hurricane yet, but we're definitely in the portion where the wind is starting to pick up, and playoff contenders are looking for marginal improvements at every turn.
In an effort to add more pass rushing depth to a unit that hasn't been as disruptive as their 2017 heyday, the Eagles made a deal with the Browns in exchange for defensive end Genard Avery.
Roster Move: #Eagles have acquired DE Genard Avery from Cleveland in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick in 2021.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/UsKZIUoudF
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 28, 2019
Avery, a 24-year-old out of Memphis, was the Browns' fifth-rounder in 2018. Odds are, the value of the 2021 pick Philly surrendered won't climb that high; much like Leonard Williams' move to the Giants, this was an example of a team cutting bait on a failed draft pick, though on a much lower-stakes scale.
It was later reported by Chris Mortensen that the Browns received a 2021 fourth-round pick to seal the deal.
The @Eagles loved Genard Avery in 2018 draft as a developmentant edge rusher who had explosiveness and toughness playing for Memphis. Avery ranked high among rookies with QB pressures. The @Browns have depth and were able to get 4th rd pick in 2021, per sources.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 28, 2019
Avery posted 4.5 sacks in his rookie season in 2018, but appeared to fall out of favor with the coaching staff/regressed in '19. He's been made a healthy scratch plenty this season after serving a key role the year prior as the team's third LB alongside Joe Schobert and Jamie Collins when Christian Kirksey hit IR.
Perhaps Philly can unlock whatever got gummed up this season once more.