Browns Trade For Pro Bowl Linebacker

The Cleveland Browns are adding an established star to their linebacker corp. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the team has executed a trade with the Atlanta Falcons to bring in Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones.

Sources: The #Browns are adding some key help in the middle of their defense, trading for #Falcons Pro Bowl LB Deion Jones in exchange for late-round draft compensation. pic.twitter.com/jaogjvtjy8

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 10, 2022

Jones has yet to play for the Falcons this year due to a shoulder injury, but he is eligible to come off injured reserve at any time. The Browns likely hope he can provide impactful play inside for a defense that has struggled through five weeks, allowing 25 points per game and 5.3 yards per rushing attempt.

Meanwhile, the Falcons are grateful to move on from a player who had declined precipitously since signing his extension in 2019, bottoming out at a 34.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2021. The Browns are betting on a change of scenery reawakening Jones' promise.

This is one of my favorite Deion Jones moments. pic.twitter.com/RvhpbLV39L

— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) October 10, 2022

Jones joined the Falcons as their 52nd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and quickly established himself as a play-making linebacker and potential star. Jones nabbed six interceptions and 21 pass breaks in his first 31 appearances, earning his first and only Pro Bowl in his second year.  At his peak, Jones was the rare linebacker who could cover in the passing game. Still only 27 years old, those days aren't necessarily completely behind him.

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