Olivier Vernon

Olivier Vernon

33-Year-Old Defensive EndDE
 Free Agent  
Questionable
Injury Achilles
Est. Return 4/1/2024
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Olivier Vernon in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
RANKS
$Signed a one-year, $11 million restructured contract with the Browns in July of 2020.
Shifts to IR
DECleveland Browns
Achilles
January 5, 2021
Vernon (Achilles) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Vernon suffered a ruptured Achilles in the Week 17 win over the Steelers, thus ending his 2020 campaign. The 30-year-old finished his ninth NFL season with 36 tackles, nine sacks -- his highest total for a season since 2013 -- and three pass breakups. With the injury occurring in the season finale, it's unclear if Vernon, who will be a free agent in March, will be ready for the 2021 season.
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NFL Stats
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2016
2020 NFL Game Log
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2019 NFL Game Log
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2018 NFL Game Log
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2017 NFL Game Log
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2023 Olivier Vernon Split Stats
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Measurables Review
How do Olivier Vernon's measurables compare to other defensive ends?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 2"
 
Weight
262 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.73 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.50 sec
 
Cone Drill
7.39 sec
 
Vertical Jump
34.5 in
 
Broad Jump
122 in
 
Bench Press
31 reps
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Olivier Vernon See More
2021 NFL Team Previews: Cleveland Browns
July 27, 2021
Paced by lead running back Nick Chubb and other name skill-position players, the Browns will aim for back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in 2021 since the team had five such berths from 1985-89.
Coaches and Coordinators: Tracking NFL Decision Makers
February 10, 2021
Brief histories on the head coaches and coordinators for all 32 teams, including the fantasy takeaways of their respective coaching ideologies.
NFL: 2021 Free Agent Grid
NFL: 2021 Free Agent Grid
January 19, 2021
January 19, 2021
Chris Godwin, Aaron Jones, Dak Prescott and numerous other fantasy standouts are lined up for unrestricted free agency, setting the stage for many high-stakes negotiations.
FanDuel Fantasy Football: Sunday's Slate
January 16, 2021
For Sunday’s two-game slate, Jim Coventry likes WR Michael Thomas up against a Buccaneers pass defense that was shredded by Washington’s passing attack in the wild-card round.
DraftKings NFL: Divisional Round Tournament Strategy
January 15, 2021
A Green Bay victory won't necessarily prevent Cam Akers from piling up fantasy points, as the Rams have an advantage in the trenches and could stick with the run even if they're losing.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
In terms of pass-rush pressure, a metric tracked by Pro Football Focus, Vernon was worth every penny of his contact during the first half of the 2019 season, but a knee injury derailed that value. He was productive on a per-snap basis, so the Browns may want to keep him at $15.5 million (not yet guaranteed) pending the soundness of his knee. They still have time before his salary counts toward the cap for 2020, and the Browns did sign free agent Adrian Clayton as a plan B at edge rusher. Cleveland has also been linked to interest in free agent Jadeveon Clowney. If the Browns sign Clowney, Vernon will likely be released.
Acquired by trade from the Giants this offseason, Vernon is poised to take his game to the next level as he steps into a favorable playing situation with the Browns. The sack upside is obvious: Vernon averaged one for roughly every 100 snaps the last two years. In Cleveland, he'll see more pass-rushing opportunities as teams try to catch up to the high-octane offense, and the loaded front seven around him means Vernon rarely will see extra attention from offensive lines. He just needs to stay healthy after playing only 23 games the last two years.
Vernon had a modestly disappointing season in 2017, amassing 6.5 sacks and 37 total tackles in 12 games. With Jason Pierre-Paul gone, Vernon returns as the team's premier pass rusher, only now he's moving to outside linebacker rather than defensive end in the team's new 3-4 alignment.
Vernon wasn't the elite pass rusher the Giants might have hoped for when they signed him to a five-year deal worth about $17 million per season a year ago, but he was a solid contributor whose IDP value has a high floor due to his adequate skill set and heavy workload. Modest as his 8.5 sacks last year might have been, Vernon logged his second 60-tackle season in a row, and the fact that he played 1,040 defensive snaps assures he'll be among the leaders in opportunities at his position. Vernon also won't turn 27 until October, so his career year might still be coming.
A high-dollar addition in free agency, Vernon should get all the snaps he can take after the Giants paid up with a five-year, $85 million contract to lure him away from Miami. Vernon was good but not great the last three years, totaling 164 tackles and 25.5 sacks over that span, though he could prove a better fit in a defense that helped former first-round disappointment Robert Ayers total 9.5 sacks in just 12 games last year. Vernon won't turn 26 until October, so there's reason to hope he has room for further development.
After a 57-tackle, 11.5-sack season in 2013, Vernon disappointed last season. His 6.5 sacks were a significant regression, as he struggled in the season's second half, posting just two sacks in the last eight games. Vernon should find his work easier this season with Ndamukong Suh around to collapse the pocket and soak up double teams. He could also see more snaps this season with fellow DE Dion Jordan suspended for the year.
Vernon came out of nowhere last season to put up 11.5 sacks. It seems he took notice that the team drafted Dion Jordan in the first-round before the season to essentially challenge him, and he rose to that challenge. Vernon will still likely be in a training camp battle for the starting job with Jordan but now he may have the upper hand with Jordan having to prove that he deserves a majority of the playing time over Vernon. This may not be easy to do if Vernon can continue to put up double digit sack numbers this season.
Vernon had a solid rookie season for the Dolphins in 2012 with 3.5 sacks and 32 tackles but will likely be pushed for playing time by this year's first-round pick, Dion Jordan.
Vernon is not exactly a household name after totaling just 1.5 sacks in six games during his final year of college, but the in-town product is nonetheless a great sleeper to emerge as an IDP factor as a rookie. His athletic talents are well documented, and the Dolphins simply have no talent at defensive end outside of Cameron Wake. Vernon's top competition for snaps appears to be Jamaal Westerman, who had just 32 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Jets last year as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
More Fantasy News
Sustains ruptured Achilles
DECleveland Browns
Achilles
January 4, 2021
Vernon suffered a ruptured Achilles during Sunday's 24-22 win over the Steelers, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.
ANALYSIS
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Will have MRI
DECleveland Browns
Ankle
January 3, 2021
Vernon will have an MRI on his ankle, according to coach Kevin Stefanski, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
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Leaves with ankle injury
DECleveland Browns
Ankle
January 3, 2021
Vernon is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Steelers with an ankle injury, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
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Finishing strong
DECleveland Browns
December 28, 2020
Vernon had five tackles, one sack and two quarterback hits in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Jets.
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Picks up two sacks
DECleveland Browns
December 16, 2020
Vernon had three tackles, two sacks and one pass defensed in Monday's 47-42 loss to Baltimore.
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