Olivier Vernon

34-Year-Old Defensive EndDE

Free Agent

Questionable

Injury Achilles

Est. Return 12/22/2024

2024 Defense Stats

TCKL

SACKS

0.0

INT

Rest-of-Season Projections

TCKL

SACKS

INT

Unlock Our Projections

2024 Fantasy Outlook

There was no outlook written for Olivier Vernon in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

RANKS

Height 6'2"

Weight 262

DOB 10/7/1990

College Miami (Fla.)

Drafted 3rd Rd 2012 #72 Overall

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.

Read More News

NFL Stats

Loading NFL Stats...

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2020 NFL Game Log

Calculate Stats Over Time

Just click on any two dates.

Loading Game Log...

2019 NFL Game Log

Calculate Stats Over Time

Just click on any two dates.

Loading Game Log...

2018 NFL Game Log

Calculate Stats Over Time

Just click on any two dates.

Loading Game Log...

2017 NFL Game Log

Calculate Stats Over Time

Just click on any two dates.

Loading Game Log...

2016 NFL Game Log

Calculate Stats Over Time

Just click on any two dates.

Loading Game Log...

2024 Olivier Vernon Split Stats

Loading NFL Split Stats...

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

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
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.

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.

ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.

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.

ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.

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.

ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.

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.

ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.

Latest Fantasy Rumors

Could return Sunday

DECleveland Browns

November 27, 2019

Vernon was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice as he works his way back from a knee injury, Andrew Gribble of the Browns' official site reports.

ANALYSIS
The veteran pass rusher has missed the last three games, but with Myles Garrett suspended, the Browns could use Vernon back in the lineup as soon as possible. His status for Sunday's grudge match against the Steelers should become clearer as the week progresses.

See All NFL Rumors