The Cleveland Browns could still be interested in trying to trade for Sam Bradford this offseason after the team offered the Rams a draft pick for the quarterback and this comes with Johnny Manziel and Josh McCown on the roster in Cleveland and heading into the draft, Marcus Mariota also could be a target for the team.
The Browns finished the season on a five game losing streak last year and heading into 2015 the team is looking for some optimism. Manziel had an up and down rookie year and he ended up in rehab this offseason. The Browns signed Josh McCown over bringing back Brian Hoyer and the way things stand now, he likely will be the starter next season.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Mary Kay Cabot reports that the Browns are still looking at the quarterback position as a work in progress and they may explore other moves before and during the draft. Cabot writes that the team was interested in trading for Bradford when he was with the Rams and there is a chance that they could try and acquire him from the Eagles. Marcus Mariota also could be a target for the team, as Cabot reports that the Browns could consider moving up since they have multiple first round picks.
Bradford was traded to the Eagles and immediately after that move happened, there was speculation that the Eagles would try to draft Mariota. With Jameis Winston the presumptive top pick in the draft, Mariota has started to generate a ton of attention and both the Eagles and Browns have had reported interest. The Eagles traded significant picks for Bradford and head coach Chip Kelly later said that Bradford would not be used as a "trade chip". Kelly also said that the team would not "mortgage" the future for one player, referring to moving up for Mariota.
The Browns could take another stab at Bradford and if that doesn't work, Mariota is an option. Ray Farmer said at the NFL combine that the team would look at the quarterbacks in this draft and would not shy away from taking one if the team felt it was the right fit. If the team doesn't move up for Mariota, players like Bryce Petty, Brett Hundley or Shane Carden could be potential options. The Jets and Chargers have also been mentioned as teams that could move up for Mariota.
The Browns likely would have to give up both of their first round picks or at least the lower one to move up to get Mariota. The Titans have the number two pick in the draft and they could entertain offers if they do not want to take Mariota. Last season Mariota won the Heisman trophy while playing at Oregon and he put up some eye popping numbers in his time with the Ducks.
The Browns have had a mostly negative offseason, but they escaped the Ray Farmer text scandal with all of their draft picks intact and that could mean moves during the draft. The team comes in with two first round picks and they also have the most selections of any team in the draft.