The Cleveland Browns have had interest in Marcus Mariota and Sam Bradford this offseason and if the team doesn't trade for those quarterbacks, the team could target Mike Glennon, Kirk Cousins, Bryce Petty or Brett Hundley as options over Johnny Manziel, as Ray Farmer has the draft picks to make a move.
The team reportedly is considering a deal with the Titans and ESPN reports that the Browns also could go after Bradford during the draft. The Browns have two first round picks and the most selections in the draft and they can use that to move up.
The Browns are coming into 2015 after a very tough season and they finished last year with five straight losses after opening 7-4. The team wants to bounce back and with Johnny Manziel going into rehab this offseason, there is a chance the Browns may not want to rely on him going forward in the future. General manager Ray Farmer said at the NFL combine that the team would look at quarterbacks and there has been reported interest in Mariota.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Browns have "real interest" in moving up to take Mariota and they could look at trading one of their first round picks to do it. The team has two picks this year after trading with the Bills last year so Buffalo could take Sammy Watkins. The Browns likely would have to move into the top five to take Mariota, as the Tennessee Titans, NY Jets, San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears have all had reported interest in the QB.
The Titans may look at trading their pick at number two and if that happens, those teams would be the most likely options to acquire it. Even if Mariota slips in the draft, it's almost impossible for him to get to the Browns are 12, so they likely would have to move up. The team has not been able to find a franchise quarterback for years and while Josh McCown is a solid option for this year and maybe next year, the team needs a concrete plan at the position.
Manziel may not be the answer and that could lead the team to Mariota or another player in the draft. According to NFL.com, the Browns also have been interested in acquiring Sam Bradford and they had interest in him even before he was traded to the Eagles. The team could look at making a deal with the Eagles, as Philadelphia is reportedly interested in going after Mariota. That could be one move in a series of moves for the team to get Mariota, but right now there is nothing close to happening. The Browns also may look at players like Bryce Petty or Brett Hundley if they miss on Mariota.
Mike Glennon could also be a potential target, as the Buccaneers may trade him once they take Jameis Winston in the draft. Jeremy Fowler at ESPN writes that the Browns could be interested in Glennon for a mid-round pick, as they checked in on him earlier in the offseason. Kirk Cousins also could be a potential option on the trade market and it comes after the Browns offered the Redskins a pick for him before the draft last year.
The Chargers are also reportedly interested in Mariota and they have the number 17 pick in the draft, meaning they would have to trade up. The team has worked out Mariota.
