CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns didn’t wait for

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free agency’s opening to make some noise.Looking for a pass rusher to bookend with Pro Bowler Myles Garrett Darius Slayton Buffalo Bills Jersey , Cleveland has agreed to acquire defensive end Olivier Vernon from the New York Giants in exchange for guard Kevin Zeitler, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press.The teams are also swapping draft picks, with the Browns getting No. 132 for pick No. 155, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the teams have not announced the trade.The trade won’t become official until 4 p.m. on March 13, the start of free agency and the NFL’s calendar year.The 28-year-old Vernon started 39 games over three seasons with the Giants. He’ll give the Browns needed depth and experience up front. Vernon has 51 sacks in seven seasons, including seven last year when he was named a Pro Bowler in New York. Vernon, who has had some injury issues, spent his first four with the Miami Dolphins.Vernon’s arrival as another edge rusher could free up Garrett from double teams and allow the Browns to focus on a defensive tackle in the draft. There is depth at that position in this year’s class, and Cleveland could land one with the No. 17 overall pick.Vernon is set to make $15.5 million in each of the two remaining years on his contract.Zeitler just completed his second season with the Browns Youth Michael Strahan Jerseys , who signed him to a five-year, $60 million deal as a free agent in 2017 after five seasons with Cincinnati. The 29-year-old was one of Cleveland’s best linemen last season, helping anchor the group following Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas‘ retirement.Zeitler’s spot will likely be filled by Austin Corbett, a second-round pick last season. Zeitler joins an underperforming line in New York that he should upgrade significantly.The Giants struggled mightily to protect Eli Manning last season, allowing 47 sacks. But running back Saquon Barkley was the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year despite playing behind an inconsistent unit.Zeitler should vastly improve that group, although New York could look to draft offensive linemen next month. But his addition allows the Giants to focus their first-round spot, sixth overall, on other needs, perhaps even on a quarterback.New York also re-signed center Jon Hilapio Michael Strahan Jerseys Stitched , who was an exclusive-rights free agent and is projected to be a starter in 2019.Halapio started the first two games of 2018 before he broke his right leg and ankle and underwent surgery, missing the rest of the season.The trade for Vernon is the second major move on the eve of free agency by Browns general manager John Dorsey. He released veteran linebacker Jamie Collins earlier this week.NOTES: The Browns tendered restricted free agent wide receiver Rashard Higgins and two exclusive rights free agents: defensive tackle Trevon Coley and defensive back Jermaine Whitehead. A fifth-round pick in 2016 by Cleveland, Higgins had a breakout season in 2018 with 39 catches for 572 yards and four touchdowns. If Higgins agrees to a deal with another team, the Browns can match it. If they decline, the Browns would get a fifth-round pick as compensation. Coley has started 29 games over the past two seasons. Whitehead played only special teams in seven games after being claimed on waivers from Green Bay. Alabama DT Quinnen Williams is too good to fall to sixth overall, but he might."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections New York Giants NewsGiants Training Camp 2016Giants vs. Eagles 2015, Week 172019 NFL DraftAlabama DT Quinnen Williams shouldn’t be available, but it just might happenNew,97commentsAlabama DT Quinnen Williams is too good to fall to sixth overall Youth Saquon Barkley Jerseys , but he might.EDTShareTweetShareShareAlabama DT Quinnen Williams shouldn’t be available, but it just might happenMark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsAlabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams should not fall out of the first five picks in the 2019 NFL Draft. It could probably be argued that he shouldn’t even fall out of the top three picks in the draft. And yet it remains in the realm of possibility that the player widely regarded as the top defender -- and player -- in the 2019 NFL Draft could actually fall to the New York Giants at sixth overall. It isn’t likely, but if the draft happens to break the right way, it is potentially possible that Dave Gettleman’s wildest dreams could come true. That would be fantastic news for a general manager who loves to draft interior defensive linemen and a defense that can use more talent at every level. And that is why the Giants used their final Top 30 visit to bring Williams in for a private visit. It’s unlikely that Quinnen Williams becomes a Giant, but if it is possible we need to account for that possibility and do our own due diligence.MeasurablesProsExcellent first step. Plays with good leverage and surprising power for a smaller tackle. Keeps his pad level down and gets under blockers’ pads.Excellent hand usage to fight through waves of blockers.Can play all along the defensive front, from 0 to 5-technique. Good agility to execute stunts and twists.ConsOnly has one year of production.Prospect VideoWhat They’re Saying - Jon Ledyard (The Draft Network - Scouting Report) Does He Fit The Giants?Yes. Quinnen Williams is another one of those prospects who has a fit in any competent defensive scheme. He is a very good athlete with polished technique and the ability to be a difference maker in both the run and pass games. Williams played all over the Alabama front and should be a natural fit as a 3-technique in four-man fronts or a defensive end in 3-man fronts. Considering just about every NFL defense runs both of those fronts at some point in a game, Williams should only have to come off the field for rest.If there are any shortcomings to Williams as a prospect it is that he only has one year of production after having to wait his turn behind defensive tackles who are currently playing in the NFL. That isn’t a negative per se, but the lack of a track record and relatively limited tape does leave some questions with how he will deal with bigger or more athletic interior blockers, as well as offensive adjustments to his presence. But the tape we do have is absolutely dominant Saquon Barkley Jerseys Stitched , so those questions are muted. Williams shouldn’t fall to the Giants at sixth overall. In a sane process, he would be one of the first three or four players drafted and shouldn’t even have to wait that long. However, with the intrigue surrounding the quarterback position and the disparity in value between defensive tackle and EDGE, it is within the realm of possibility that the best defensive player in the draft could fall to the Giants.