With two first-round picks, the Cleveland Browns have a lot of luxuries when it comes to making decisions for the upcoming NFL Draft. With quarterback issues still a problem for the franchise, the Browns are trying to decide if it is worth dealing a pick for a quarterback either in the draft or from another franchise. With plenty of options available to them, which way will Cleveland lean?
According to Mark Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns are either looking to draft Marcus Mariota in a trade up or deal for Sam Bradford from the Philadelphia Eagles. The Browns have been linked to Mariota since they finished the season with Connor Shaw starting under center. The rumors amplified when Brian Hoyer left in free agency and Johnny Manziel admitted himself into rehab. With most mock drafts predicting Mariota could go as high as No. 2, the Browns need to determine their exact commitment to both Manziel and the newly signed Josh McCown.
There is also the idea of trying to acquire Sam Bradford. According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, the Browns had been in talks with the St. Louis Rams since the scouting combine discussing potential trade deals. Some believe they even offered Manziel in the package. The result was the Eagles winning the race, but there is certainly a lot of talk that Philadelphia would ideally like to deal Bradford in a move to get Mariota. The quarterback carousel will not quiet down until after the draft as the Jets continue to decide who the future of the franchise is.
Cabot reports that the Browns will be active in talks for deals with both quarterbacks. The Eagles continue to mull over trading up in the draft for Mariota. The Browns cannot help them in that effort considering they will not make their first pick until midway through the first round, but it at least shows that Bradford might be available as Philadelphia tries to restock on draft picks. The Browns simply need to decide which is the better investment. Should they trade up for a rookie with unknown potential or trade for a quarterback coming off several knee injuries and entering the final year of a very expensive contract?
There are certainly other options for the Browns. The team could make a move for Mike Glennon. They could draft a quarterback in a late round. There are options that do not involve wagering the draft on a quarterback when the team selected one last year too.
