Cleveland sent two sixth-round picks to Minnesota to move up…
Cleveland sent two sixth-round picks to Minnesota to move up to No. 150 for guard Jason Pinkston. Pinkston started 24 games for the Browns before a serious blood-clot issue shortened his career. Minnesota selected DeMarcus Love and Mistral Raymond; Raymond supplied defensive and special-teams depth, while Love never appeared in a regular-season game. Cleveland's short-lived starter gives the Browns a narrow edge.
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 2011 5th round pick (150th overall, Jason Pinkston)
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 2011 6th round pick (168th overall, Demarcus Love)
- pick 2011 6th round pick (170th overall, Mistral Raymond)
Trade Analysis
Why Cleveland Moved Up
Cleveland traded sixth-round picks No. 168 and No. 170 to Minnesota for the 150th selection in the 2011 draft. The Browns used the fifth-round choice on Pittsburgh guard Jason Pinkston, looking for a young interior lineman who could compete immediately. Minnesota chose tackle DeMarcus Love and defensive back Mistral Raymond with the two later picks.
What Cleveland Received
Pinkston stepped into the starting lineup as a rookie and started all 16 games at left guard in 2011. He started six more games in 2012 and two in 2013, finishing with 24 starts in 25 appearances. His career was interrupted by a dangerous blood-clot condition, which makes the limited longevity more about health than a failure to earn playing time.
What Minnesota Received
Love never appeared in a regular-season NFL game. Raymond provided the useful portion of Minnesota's return, playing 34 games with 10 starts over three seasons and contributing on special teams. That gave the Vikings legitimate roster value, but not enough to offset the absence of production from the other acquired pick.
Why This Trade Still Matters
This is a close, mid-round exchange rather than a dramatic win. Cleveland paid two chances for one and received a player who immediately became a starter. Minnesota spread the risk and found one contributor, but its combined return did not surpass Pinkston's starting workload.
Final Verdict
Cleveland Browns Win. Pinkston's 24 starts earn Cleveland a B-. Minnesota receives a C because Raymond provided meaningful depth and starts. Pinkston's shortened career keeps the grade gap narrow, but Cleveland still received the strongest direct player value in the transaction.