Jason McCourty Traded to Patriots for 6th-Round Draft Pick

The Cleveland Browns announced Thursday they traded veteran cornerback Jason McCourty and a seventh-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft to the New England Patriots in exchange for a sixth-round choice in this year's draft.

Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network previously reported the Browns were expected to release McCourty.

The 30-year-old Rutgers product was a bright spot during an otherwise forgettable season for the winless Browns. He racked up 65 combined tackles, 14 passes defended and three interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown.

Pro Football Focus graded him as the league's 27th-best corner.

In January, McCourty expressed his displeasure about comments from new general manager John Dorsey about the team's roster lacking "real players," per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

"The talent in this locker room is not the talent to go win a Super Bowl this year, but this locker room is far more talented than 0-16," he said. "I'm kind of tired of hearing so many people say, even within the organization, is we don't have the guys or we need more guys. Let's work with the guys we do have and find ways to win games."

McCourty joined the Browns after eight years with the Tennessee Titans, who selected him in the sixth round of the 2009 draft.

He should slot in as the Patriots' No. 2 cornerback behind Stephon Gilmore following the trade. Spotrac notes he'll carry a modest $2.9 million cap hit in the final year of his contract.