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For the first time since 1968, the Cleveland Browns made a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The trade came when Cleveland was on the clock at No. 111 overall in the fourth round.
Fans were surprised upon hearing about the trade. When the details came out, it was learned that the Browns no longer had a 4th-round pick whatsoever. They did, however, receive the Steelers' 3rd-round pick in 2014, which begins the process of stockpiling picks for the future after not having that many this weekend.
With that Browns trade, lot of teams will start valuing 2014 picks more now and CLE in a longterm process to rebuild
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 27, 2013
Here is a local take, as well as when the Browns will be on the clock again in the 5th round:
#Browns next pick is 139. Getting a third round pick for next year actually might benefit push to compete in 2014.
— Jeff Schudel (@jsbrownsinsider) April 27, 2013
The Steelers ended up taking SS Shamarko Thomas with the pick they acquired from Cleveland. Some fans wondered if the Browns dealt out of the pick because the New York Giants had just traded up one spot in front of them to select QB Ryan Nassib. Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer says there was no connection:
#Browns traded their 111 pick to #Steelers just after #Giants jumped over them and nabbed QB Ryan Nassib. Source said no connection.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 27, 2013
I have to agree with Cabot's source -- the Browns aren't just going to whip up the framework of a trade with a division rival for a pick next year if they didn't discuss it in advance, and if they really wanted Nassib, they would have traded up themselves. Our Day 3 open thread is busy right here, so make sure you are around to discuss the rest of the team's four picks!