CLEVELAND — “If, at first, you don’t succeed…”
The Cleveland Browns reportedly tried to trade fourth-year defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah at the start of the new league year in the National Football League earlier this month, and while those talks broke down, apparently, the front office is revisiting the idea.
While at this week’s NFL Owners’ Meetings, Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/AM 850 reported that the Browns are “still pursuing a trade of Emmanuel Ogbah,” and that “there’s a lot of interest” in the talented pass rusher.
In 40 games over his three years with the Browns, Ogbah registered 12.5 sacks, 122 total tackles, including 70 solo stops and 52 assists, along with 16 for lost yardage and 29 quarterback hits. Also, Ogbah defended 17 passes.
Last season, Ogbah registered 3.0 sacks and 40 total tackles, including 24 solo stops and 16 assists, while playing opposite Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett.
The Browns selected Ogbah with the No. 32 overall pick, the first of the second round, in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Ogbah played defensive end for Oklahoma State University in all three of his collegiate seasons, and registered 133 total tackles, including 95 solo stops and 38 assists for the Cowboys.
Of Ogbah’s tackles, 35.5 went for lost yardage and 26.5 were sacks of opposing quarterbacks. Also, he forced five fumbles and recovered two others during his collegiate career.
As a junior, Ogbah set career highs for solo tackles (42), assists (21), total stops (63), tackles for lost yardage (16.5), forced fumbles (four) and sacks (12.5). He had double-digit sack totals in both his sophomore and junior seasons at Oklahoma State.