The Cleveland Browns are coming into the NFL draft with offense on their minds, as reports have a trade up for Marcus Mariota as a real possibility, while names like DeVante Parker, Breshad Perriman and Kevin White have come up as potential wide receiver targets and this comes as the team is expecting to get Johnny Manziel back this spring after a rehab stint.
The Browns signed Josh McCown this offseason and he likely will be the starter with Johnny Manziel coming off of a rocky rookie year. According to ESPN.com, Ray Farmer said to the media at the NFL combine that the Browns would not shy away from drafting a quarterback in the draft if the situation is right. Jeremy Fowler at ESPN writes that the team has the draft picks to make a move up for Marcus Mariota, as they have two first round selections and the most picks of any team in the draft.
The team also may look at the wide receiver position in the draft after signing Dwayne Bowe, as they need some more depth with Josh Gordon facing a suspension. According to ESPN.com, Breshad Perriman may have played himself into the mix, as he ran a strong sub-4.3 40-yard dash at his pro day. Perriman had a solid season for UCF last year and he could be a target along with DeVante Parker. Charles Robinson at Yahoo Sports writes that Parker could be a fit for the Browns if he makes it out of the top 10 and they don't trade their picks for Mariota.
NFL teams are not in the same positions they once were after taking a quarterback in the first round, as the new league agreement keeps rookie contracts from getting astronomical like when Sam Bradford signed his deal. Manziel was taken in the first round, but it wouldn't kill the salary cap for the Browns if they went after Mariota or another QB.
The Browns reportedly offered a trade for Sam Bradford this offseason and there also was some talk that Mike Glennon could be an option. Farmer has said that the team will consider taking a quarterback in the draft and that could open the door for a deal to happen later down the line with someone like Glennon or Kirk Cousins. The team had interest in Kirk Cousins last year, while Glennon could be a trade target if the Buccaneers take Jameis Winston in the draft.
Glennon would cost the team a draft pick, but likely nothing more than a third or fourth rounder and with the package the Browns have this year, they could look at that as worthy compensation. According to Pro Football Talk, McCown is planning to start with the Browns and it came after he visited with the Chicago Bears and the Buffalo Bills this offseason. McCown had an up and down season while dealing with injuries for the Bucs and had 13 touchdowns last year.
Glennon had some playing time last year and he had 10 touchdowns and six interceptions while passing for 1417 passing yards. Manziel was taken with the number 22 overall pick in the first round last year and coming into 2015 the Browns have two first round picks to use if they want to trade up. Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota are the top quarterbacks in the draft and they are both expected to go very early in the first round, with the Bucs potentially taking Winston.
