Browns trade Barkevious Mingo to Patriots

The Browns traded linebacker Barkevious Mingo, the team’s sixth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, to the New England Patriots. In exchange, the Browns will receive a 2017 fifth-round pick.

The Browns declined to pick up Mingo’s fifth-year option, and the team has not seen Mingo live up to the potential they expected from him when they drafted him. When they declined his option, a team source told NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that Mingo would have to have a big year with the team to justify a new contract. Mingo will not get the opportunity to do so in Cleveland.

Following last week’s preseason matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, head coach Hue Jackson was noncommittal about Mingo’s future with the team.

“Obviously, I want to see more out of all of our players because we’re still evaluating our football team as we put it together so that we can have the best players possible on this football team,” Jackson said.

The Browns have not fared particularly well in the first round over the past several years.

It’s the second trade for New England in as many days, as the team opted to trade center Bryan Stork to Washington Wednesday. During the offseason, the team facilitated a trade that sent outside linebacker Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for guard Jonathan Cooper. Cooper was the seventh overall pick, selected immediately after Mingo in the 2013 draft.

In three seasons with the Browns, Mingo has 108 tackles, seven sacks and one interception. Mingo was initially expected to rush the passer, but former Browns head coach Mike Pettine eventually switched him to more of a coverage role in 2015.

According to Ian Rapoport, Mingo will join the Patriots in Charlotte, N.C., where New England is preparing to take on the Panthers. With Jones in Arizona, Rob Ninkovich currently sidelined with a torn triceps and Jabaal Sheard dealing with a sprained MCL, Mingo provides some necessary depth in New England, and can perhaps get a fresh start with the Patriots.

The Browns, meanwhile, keep stockpiling draft picks. Along with the fifth-round selection they’re receiving in the Mingo trade, Cleveland also has additional first-round, second-round and seventh-round picks in next year’s draft.