Browns trade former first-round pick Cam Erving to Chiefs for pick

ByABC News
August 30, 2017, 2:26 PM

— -- The Cleveland Browns continued their roster overhaul Wednesday when they traded offensive lineman and former first-round draft pick Cam Erving to the Kansas City Chiefs for a fifth-round pick in the 2018 draft.

The deal sends a player who didn't work out from the Browns to Kansas City, and gives the Browns 13 picks in next April's draft. The Browns have two first-round picks, three in the second and two in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds.

In acquiring Erving, the Chiefs picked up a former high draft pick for the second time this week. They also traded with Buffalo for linebacker Reggie Ragland, the Bills' second-round pick in 2016.

Erving was the second first-round pick the Browns parted ways with on Wednesday. The team released cornerback Joe Haden earlier in the day.

From 2007 through 2016 the Browns took 13 players in the first round of the draft. Three are left on the team: receiver Corey Coleman ('16), defensive tackle Danny Shelton ('12) and offensive tackle Joe Thomas ('07).

Gone are quarterback Brady Quinn ('07), center Alex Mack ('09), Haden ('10), defensive tackle Phil Taylor ('11), running back Trent RIchardson ('12), quarterback Brandon Weeden ('12), linebacker Barkevious Mingo ('13), cornerback Justin Gilbert ('14), quarterback Johnny Manziel ('14) and Erving.

The Chiefs are set in their starting lineup at both tackle positions, right guard and center for the foreseeable future with all four players being signed at least through 2018. The only opening for Erving in the starting lineup in the foreseeable future would possibly be at left guard, where last year's starter, Parker Ehinger, has yet to play in the preseason after tearing his ACL last year.

But the Chiefs can use his versatility and experience as a backup. The Chiefs are short on experienced backups.

Erving's roster spot was tenuous. He struggled at guard and center after being taken 19th overall in 2015, and was given a shot at right tackle this preseason. Shon Coleman won the job, which meant Erving probably would have been released had he not been traded.

ESPN's Adam Teicher contributed to this report.