The Browns wasted little time in re-enforcing their offensive line by trading for a veteran guard from the Seahawks on Monday.
The Browns completed a somewhat rare trade in the NFL as they sent defensive lineman Brian Sanford to Seattle for 26-year old John Moffitt.
Moffitt (6-4, 319) was the Seahawks' third-round draft choice (75th overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft from Wisconsin. He has appeared in 17 games, including 15 starts. Moffitt started the first nine games of his career as a rookie before he was sidelined with a season-ending knee injury. He started the final six games of the 2012 season when the Seahawks went to the playoffs in the NFC, starting four games at right guard and two at left guard. He was part of an offensive line that helped block for Marshawn Lynch, who finished third in the NFL in rushing yards with 1,590, including 11 rushing touchdowns.
“John’s a tough and versatile lineman who will be in the mix for us upfront,” said Rob Chudzinski.
The Browns were thin on the offensive line, particularly at guard with the ankle injuries to Shawn Lauvao and Jason Pinkston. The pair were battling for the right guard spot, but Lauvao had arthroscopic surgery on his ankle and Pinkston suffered a high ankle sprain against the Lions last week. Both are expected to miss the start of the regular season. Defensive line was a perceived area of depth for the Browns, thus Sanford became available.
Rookie seventh-round draft choice Garrett Gilkey has been playing with the first team at right guard and Moffitt is expected to compete for the position with him immediately. “We continue to look each day of the year for any opportunity to improve our roster,” said CEO Joe Banner. “We’re committed to a building a team that can consistently compete in this league.”
In other moves on Monday, the Browns announced they terminated the contract of fullback Brock Bolen, who had missed most of training camp with a calf injury.
