The Browns Wasted Genard Avery
The Cleveland Browns have traded Genard Avery to the Philadelphia Eagles for a measly fourth round pick in 2021. After an impressive rookie year where he found significant success rushing the passer opposite Myles Garrett, it appeared Avery was primed for a monster second season as the third rusher behind Garrett and the newly acquired Olivier Vernon. Instead, he did nothing for the Browns and is now gone for a mediocre draft asset while the Browns have another hole to fill in the offseason.
A big reason John Dorsey was hailed as the savior of the Cleveland Browns last year was his 2018 NFL Draft haul. Taking the assets that Sashi Brown assembled, Dorsey and his front office picked the Browns a quarterback, a corner and a running back all with pro bowl potential or better. Those players were selected with picks Dorsey was supposed to hit.
Picking Genard Avery in the fifth round really gave the sense that Dorsey was capable of hitting big in every round. Having now dealt Avery to the Philadelphia Eagles, it undermines his success as the general manager of the Browns in the draft and makes that draft look increasingly ordinary in hindsight, especially considering the vast amount of assets at his disposal.
Much of the fault here likely rests with Steve Wilks and the defensive coaching staff. Apparently unsatisfied with his size, the team asked Avery to gain weight in the offseason. He did, but he wasn't comfortable at with the added bulk and played slower. Already a big ball of muscle, his frame didn't take well to the added weight and he didn't acclimate to it fast enough to contribute.
Against the New England Patriots, Avery was active for only the second time this season. Even then, Wilks put him as a linebacker rushing from the second level as opposed to let him rush off the end. He was still effective from the backer position, which seems like reason to keep him, but they went ahead and pulled the trigger on this deal.
In effect, Wilks and the Browns organization has sabotaged Avery's second season and wasted a roster spot on him. That's not good for anyone. The team failed Avery.
Gregg Williams could figure out how to use Genard Avery, but Wilks is apparently more concerned with getting players that fit his scheme as opposed to building a scheme around the players. It happens. It doesn't make it any less frustrating to see a player shine one year only to be deemed worthless the next by a different coaching staff all for the sake of their system.
Chad Thomas is not a better football player than Genard Avery. Neither is Chris Smith. Through the prism of scheme, the Browns are trying to make the case they are, which is why being so attached to scheme as opposed to talent is foolish.
Dorsey effectively is being cut off at the knees by his coaching staff here. Getting a fourth round pick in 2021 isn't bad necessarily; it's breaking even given their initial investment. But with what Avery has shown capable, it feels like they are losing on this trade. Instead of a player that could be helping them right now attacking the quarterback, they have a draft pick in two years or maybe sweetener to another deal.
It also feels like Avery can go in and help the Eagles, who are a model franchise in how they operate in terms of acquiring and managing talent. The Eagles give up an medium asset in two seasons to get pass rush help right now with two more years on his rookie deal. Always finding ways to avoid being over the salary cap, if Avery contributes, it's a cost saver. Avery might not do much for the Eagles, but the investment is nothing for them and likely recouped with a compensatory selection down the road.
This move also has Dorsey effectively committing to Steve Wilks or at least that scheme for the foreseeable future, which gives the Browns direction. That seems good. However, given the uncertainty with Freddie Kitchens as head coach, it's a risky unless there's a plan in place to make Wilks or someone else the the head coach if Kitchens is fired, opting to retain Wilks and his scheme.
This deal will look far worse if, for example, the Browns were to fire Kitchens after this season and then hire someone like Jim Schwartz, someone who Dorsey has expressed interest in as a head coach previously. Schwartz gets to coach Avery the rest of this season, then comes here where the cycle is effectively repeated as the Browns are moving players to fit the new scheme.
This also isn't a case where Avery was a problem behind the scenes in the locker room. If anything, the Browns, who are publicly discussing accountability and the need for players to focus on doing their jobs, they lose a player who never complained, did everything asked of him for the sake of the team and was accountable.
Nothing about this deal feels good and the Browns have everything to lose if Avery is able to produce for the Eagles. It would be just one more loss in a season that is increasingly full of them.
