Los Angeles Rams guard Austin Corbett is a Super Bowl Champion.
If the 26-year-old Corbett’s name sounds familiar, it is because he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2018.
Corbett was the No. 33 pick selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of the University of Nevada.
Our very own on the biggest stage. Good luck today, Austin Corbett!🐺#BattleBorn x #PackInThePros pic.twitter.com/jaBrACcZUB
— Nevada FB Recruiting (@NevadaRecruits) February 13, 2022
Browns GM John Dorsey decided to trade Corbett to the Rams and told Corbett on October 15, 2019, after Corbett appeared in 14 games and started 1 game during his time with the Browns.
The majority of his snaps as a Brown were on special teams; he only played between 1 and 2% of the offensive snaps.
Corbett’s Reaction On Being Traded
Corbett was not expecting the call from Dorsey or the immediate trip to Los Angeles.
He remembers how he felt on that day.
“I had a lot of time to kind of reflect on the flight out, just what did I do wrong while in Cleveland, just trying to look inside how could I have done better, like this is my fault. Then quickly shift into that mindset of I have this new opportunity to go and make the best of it.”
Really wanted it to work out between him and the Browns but as much as both sides tried it just didn't work out and that's OK. Things happen. Very happy for him to get his first Super Bowl with the LA Rams. Congrats to Austin Corbett.
— Bottlegate (@Bottlegate) February 14, 2022
He Made The Best Of It
Corbett has been a mainstay in the Rams’ offense playing in 98 to 100% of the Rams’ offensive snaps.
Starting in 40 games in his 2+ seasons, Corbett is now a Super Bowl Champion and a free agent who will be seeking a bigger payday as a result of all of his experience with the Rams.
Rams OL Austin Corbett has made "the best of" opportunity after once being cast off by Browns, @TheNickShook writeshttps://t.co/Le34xlkmam pic.twitter.com/XxMbHxtLft
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) February 12, 2022
A Cautionary Tale
The Browns, just like every other NFL team, must walk the line between allowing a draft pick to grow and mature into his position and moving on from him.
It cannot be easy to make that decision.
General managers win some and lose some on these types of roster decisions, and it appears the Browns and Dorsey lost on this decision.
NEXT: Browns Nation News And Notes (2/15/22)
The article was intended to talk about the delicate balance of allowing a draft pick to develop before moving on from him. It is not a precise science, and GMs win and lose with these decisions. From all appearances, the Browns lost on this deal since Corbett has been a steady player, without injury, who has performed well for the Rams. Would he have accomplished that in Cleveland if given a chance beyond light special teams duty? We will never know.
Yeah and now they have an all pro guard in Wyatt Teller they got for pretty much nothing, so it all worked out.