In one of the wilder lead-ups to a draft in many years, the Browns have been connected to several players with their No. 1 overall pick. The quarterback-desperate franchise is almost certain to announce its expected Tyrod Taylor successor tonight, but the buildup to that moment has been a process featuring many twists and turns.
Having bypassed Carson Wentz and Deshaun Watson the past two years, the Browns have now been linked to three quarterbacks at No. 1. The latest could be one of the most unique first-overall picks in memory.
The Browns are now strongly connected to Baker Mayfield, the Heisman Trophy winner and a player who did not appear in the top half of the first round of Todd McShay’s first offseason mock draft. But John Dorsey brought on former Redskins GM Scot McCloughan as a consultant before the draft, and the longtime scouting guru has been an outspoken proponent of the polarizing Oklahoma-developed quarterback. The news the Browns will take Mayfield at No. 1 emerged this week, and that rumor is rapidly gaining steam.
However, the Browns’ previous debate was believed to be a two-horse race between Sam Darnold and Josh Allen. Dorsey has a history of selecting big-armed passers or being affiliated with organizations which have done so, most recently pulling the trigger on Patrick Mahomes in his final draft as Chiefs GM. Viewed as a high-ceiling, low-floor prospect, Allen would represent that kind of bold choice. A report earlier this week indicated Cleveland was down to the Wyoming prodigy or the fast-rising Mayfield.
Darnold has gone from a player viewed as arguably the best combination of production and upside to one that may fall out of the top two and be there for the Jets at No. 3. The Jets scheduled a Darnold visit once they began to sense the USC product falling to them was a legitimate possibility.
The Browns have also been linked to Saquon Barkley at No. 1. While Barkley is viewed as the top running back and possibly the No. 1 overall player in this prospect pool, it’s hard to believe the Browns would again bypass their chance at landing a possible franchise quarterback.
They have not been closely tied to Josh Rosen during this pre-draft stretch, and the latest on a trade-down occurrence is that line of thinking could transpire with the Browns’ No. 4 pick rather than their No. 1 choice.
So, which passer will be bound for northeast Ohio? Is the Mayfield surge legitimate or a massive smokescreen operation? Does Allen’s upside, the unearthing of several tweets from his high school days notwithstanding, warrant this kind of an investment? Or should the Browns take the player they’ve been most connected to in Darnold with the top pick? How about a trade-down scenario? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section!
I think that they will take either Rosen or Barkley with the first pick. I have a bold trade prediction. I think that the Packers will trade up to the Browns 4th pick to get a top notch draft pick.
I’m with you, I really think GB is trying to get Chubb and have the picks to pull it off.
If I’m Cleveland I take Barkley at 1 and QB at 4, unless they are in love with a particular QB.
not.happening.period
the end
They have the picks? They have a bunch of 4th and 5th round picks. Those picks would be throw-ins here. Moving up from 14 to 4 would cost at least two seconds and next year’s first. That’s the minimum. It doesn’t even factor in that the price would likely be higher based on other teams bidding against them.
they have the most picks in the draft, whatever you think is right I’m sure.
i’m a Bears fan hoping they don’t move up, but hearing a lot of rumblings.
to add, the 14th pick would obviously go to Cleveland and Cleveland’s front office is filled with ex-Packer personnel. they’d make it work
Why in gods name do people think Cleveland will take Barkley?? They desperately need a QB! Waiting until four would probably mean losing their favorite QB. No GM in the world would do such a thing.
Dang poll link doesn’t work on the app…..again.
Based on the comment boards I thought Barkley would be more than 12% vote. Glad most ppl think it’s going to be a QB. Because it is and always was going to be… moving from 14 to 4 will cost Green Bay’s 1st round pick next year. I wouldn’t entertain anything less that that. It starts with 2 1st rounders and then the negotiations can begin.
The Browns are just suggesting they will pick the qb that a particular team is looking at picking a few picks down…..First it was The Broncos were interested in Allen, so they switched to Allen…Lately its been the Jets interested in Mayfield….They are trying to force another team in the top 5 to move up and given them an additional 2nd rounder or so.
How bout something completely insane?
Browns get: Gronk, 23, 31, next years NE 1st, a 2nd
Patriots get: 4
i thought about this earlier. i think its actually feasible but i think thats a little too much. Gronk 23 and a 2nd should be enought for the 4th…..its a great thought though
Gronk the concussion machine? No thanks.
That’s completely insane…but insane enough that I’m intrigued by it. I like it.
Are you high?
Brown crazy not to jump on that
I can’t believe I’m taking this seriously, but make next year’s draft pick a conditional #1 or #2 based on Gronk playing 14 games: less than 14, the Pat send over their 1st rounder, 14 or more than, the Pats send over their 2nd rounder.
Watch them take Rosen, the one top QB they HAVEN’T been connected to. At this point, I can’t say it would surprise me.
Darnold
I just watched that sports science thing with Dilfer and Brinkus or whatever his name is, and it was the Darnold episode. I’ve never been a fan of him…..until now. Wouldn’t bother me if my Browns took him at #1.