1 day after franchise tag, Dolphins trade Jarvis Landry to Cleveland Browns
The uncertainty regarding Jarvis Landry’s future in Miami seemed to be cleared up when the receiver signed his franchise tag Thursday.
But it turns out that move was only a prerequisite to another:
The Dolphins agreed Friday to trade Landry to the Cleveland Browns for two draft choices, according to multiple reports.
Browns trading two draft picks to Dolphins for WR Jarvis Landry, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2018
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Browns are working on a new contract for Landry so the franchise tag seems to be a placeholder.
Landry would have been a free agent without the tag, and as a free agent, Miami wouldn’t have been able to trade him.
The draft picks going back to Miami are reportedly outside of the first two rounds. The Browns have a third-round pick, two fourth-rounders, two fifth-rounders, a sixth-rounder and a seventh-rounder.
Landry tweeted just minutes after Schefter broke news of the trade, and wasn’t clear whether he’s happy with the move: “Y’all better understand s— about to get SERIOUS… ON MY MAMA.”
He had previously expressed his displeasure at being tagged, citing the devastating injury to Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier as a reason he wanted a long-term deal. It appears a long-term deal is on the way, but it will be with the laughingstock of the NFL.
When it comes to his on-field production, Landry has few peers. Since being drafted in the second round in 2014, he has made three Pro Bowls, and he led the NFL in receptions in 2017.
Landry’s 400 receptions through his first four NFL seasons are the most in league history — and by a wide margin. Only Antonio Brown and Julio Jones have more catches than Landry since the 2014 season.
While Landry is prolific as a slot receiver, he hasn’t provided the big plays or touchdowns that a team wants out of its top receiver. While ranking third in the NFL in catches since 2014, he is just 12th in receiving yards and tied for 24th in receiving touchdowns.
He’s been jokingly referred to as the receiving version of “three yards and a cloud of dust.”
I like Jarvis Landry- If you need 5 yards, Jarvis Landry will get you 7 yards. If you need 10 yards, Jarvis Landry will get you 7 yards.
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) March 9, 2018
By going to Cleveland and teaming up with (presumably) Josh Gordon, Landry won’t have to play above his skill set and can settle in as a No. 2 receiver.
In the 70-season history of the Browns, they have never had a player even reach 90 receptions in a season, which is a mark Landry has reached in three of his four NFL seasons.
👀
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) March 9, 2018
Running back Duke Johnson led the team in receptions and receiving yards last season as no Browns receiver recorded more than 27 catches. Cleveland’s top four players in receptions in 2017 were either tight ends or running backs.
This trade of Landry to the Browns, along with all other trades over the past month, cannot be completed until the league year starts March 14.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
