Corey Williams became the first big-name player to change teams Friday, the first day of the free-agency period.
Williams, a defensive tackle who had been the Green Bay Packers' franchise player, was traded to the Cleveland Browns. A source close to the situation confirmed to Sporting News that the deal will be completed early Friday.
It is believed the Packers will receive a second- or third-round pick in the 2008 draft for Williams, who leaves Green Bay after four seasons.
The Browns need Williams to strengthen a defense that was 30th in the NFL last season and was particularly awful against the run. Closing that wound was the team's first priority this offseason.
Without a first-round pick to acquire a young stud for the middle of their defensive line, the Browns did the next best thing: They went for experience.
As the Packers' franchise player, Williams would have brought two first-round picks from a team signing him as a free agent.
Instead, Williams will sign a long-term contract with the Packers and the Browns will pick up the contract.
The Browns were 27th in run defense in 2007 and allowed an average of 136.8 rushing yards in the first 10 games. Their defensive line was onion-peel thin. They had little behind right end Robaire Smith and nose tackle Shaun Smith.
Orpheus Roye was released on Wednesday and Ted Washington, who will turn 40 in April, was ineffective in five games last season before going on the injured reserve list.
During a briefing with the Cleveland media Thursday, general manager Phil Savage joked that the Browns were going to a 2-5 defense. But with the addition of the 6-4, 313-pound Williams, who is expected to play nose tackle, they will stick with their 3-4 alignment.
There's not a lot of quality defensive tackles in this year's free-agent class, which means the Browns likely will overpay for Williams, who has started 20 games in four seasons. Williams can play both the 3 technique and nose tackle positions. He is better than average against the run and had seven sacks in each of the past two seasons.
In addition to the Browns, Williams drew interest from the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers.
The Packers appear to be deep at defensive tackle, which is one reason they believed Williams was expendable. Ryan Pickett is a starter, end Cullen Jenkins moves inside on passing downs, and Johnny Jolly and Daniel Muir also are in the picture.
Then there is Justin Harrell, the Packers' first-round pick in 2007. Harrell didn't light up the league as a rookie, but he could develop into a top tackle.
Defense cost the Browns a playoff spot last season. They went 10-6, their best record since returning to the NFL in 1999, but didn't qualify for the postseason.
It wasn't because of a lack of playmakers on offense. In addition to the improbable performance of first-year starting quarterback Derek Anderson, the Browns were led by running back Jamal Lewis, wide receiver Braylon Edwards, tight end Kellen Winslow and rookie offensive tackle Joe Thomas.
Anderson could be a problem. The Browns could not get him re-signed on Thursday, and he hit the open market Friday as a restricted free agent. If Anderson gets a high-dollar offer, the Browns will be reluctant to match it.
If the defense can hold up its end, the Browns could march into the playoffs in 2008. The acquisition of Williams was the first step toward that destination.
