It’s something that hasn’t happened in 45 years, but Saturday the Steelers made a trade with their rivals – trading with the Browns for their fourth-round pick.
The Steelers made the move, getting the 111th overall pick, to draft Syracuse safety Shamarko Thomas. In return, the Browns set the Steelers third-round pick in 2014.
It’s the first trade between the two teams since 1968.
The Browns originally had the 104th pick but swapped with Miami as part of a trade for slot wide receiver Davone Bess.
The 5-foot-9 Thomas should give the black and gold depth at the safety spot, something they need.
This offseason the Steelers lost reserve safeties Ryan Mundy and Will Allen to free agency. Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu are the starters, but both are getting up there in years and have had injury issues.
Secondary coach Carnell Lake called Thomas explosive and said if Thomas was two inches taller, he would have gone in the first round.
Thomas was a first-team All-Big East selection after his senior season at Syracuse, when he led the Orange with 88 tackles.
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Linda Grimaldi
April 28, 2013 at 10:23 am
Smart pick taking our Syracuse boy! Great one to end 45 year no trade w/ rival!!! So excited!!! Excellent draft picks this year!!!!