The Cleveland Browns are in one of the most intriguing spots in the NFL draft, as they have the sixth overall pick in the first round and could try to pull off a big move with the San Diego Chargers as reports come out that the team wants to trade down.
According to ESPN.com, the Browns are one of five teams in the NFL that wants to trade out of their first round spot, along with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Detroit Lions, the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins, and one partner could be the San Diego Chargers. The team desperately needs a left tackle and since they have the number 11 overall pick, it is very unlikely they will get one of the top three linemen, as Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher and Lane Johnson are expected to be gone by then.
The Chargers trade up option could go down if Johnson slips past number five with the Lions, as the top two players are expected to go in the top five. The Cardinals also want Johnson and they could take him before the 11th pick, meaning the Chargers would have to trade up to secure him. The team needs a left tackle after cutting Jared Gaither and after the beating that quarterback Philip Rivers took last year, it's a necessity. The plan would play right into the Browns' hands, as they like Dee Milliner, but his shoulder may cause him to slip and they could get draft picks out of it and the player they wanted all along.
The Browns also could trade down for another reason, as they are still in the mix for another quarterback to bring in along with Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell to compete and could go after Geno Smith if he slips out of the top 10, as well as Ryan Nassib. Smith could go to the Jets or someone else if they trade down, but the Browns aren't completely sold on Smith anyway or they would take him at six.
According to NFL.com, the team could be a "wild card" for Smith after trading down (if they do that), as it is expected that he will make it out of the top seven picks after the Cardinals. Reports say that the pick will be between Milliner and Smith, but if the Browns miss out another option could be with Tebow. The Jets are looking to move the quarterback and they could deal him on draft day but an even better situation for the Browns is if he is released, as they could sign him without giving up anything. Despite the fact that Tebow is a distraction, he could be the jolt the team needs and could excel under new coach Rob Chudzinski.
