While the Cleveland Browns continue to seek out several quarterback trade options, there is a very real possibility the team gets shut down and must stick to picking at both No. 12 and No. 19. Right now with the first round just hours away, the Browns are pushing deals for both Marcus Mariota and Sam Bradford. They would involve giving up one or both first-round picks, but who do the Browns select if no deal is made and they stay put at their original drafting spots?
According to ESPN's Pat McManamon, the Browns are offering the Tennessee Titans their two first-round draft picks in exchange for the No. 2 pick with the intentions of drafting Marcus Mariota. They are also reportedly offering a first-round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for Sam Bradford according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. One of those deals could easily get approved while both of those deals might very well be denied. ESPN's Bob Holtzman is reporting that four teams are vying for the No. 2 pick while Mark Eckel of NJ.com reports Bradford will not sign a contract extension if traded to Cleveland which is wavering the team's interest.
According to Peter King of Sports Illustrated, if the Browns stay at their respective drafting spots, a wide receiver or running back could be selected with one of the picks. King believes Melvin Gordon is actually sitting at the top of the Browns' draft list despite the team having Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West both entering their second years with the team. King writes that Gordon has the perfect skill set to fit the Browns' down-field rushing attack, plus he is used to the Midwestern weather.
The interest in Gordon follows the report from ESPN Cleveland that said the Browns were seriously considering drafting Todd Gurley in the first round as many teams are buying into his raised stock heading into Thursday's first round. Despite his ACL surgery under a year ago, many teams are falling onto the Gurley hype train and Cleveland appears to be one of them.
The Browns would also be wise to look at wide receivers in the first round. The team has Andrew Hawkins and the newly signed Brian Hartline, but they are not enough for the quarterback. In need of replacing Josh Gordon, players like DeVante Parker, Breshad Perriman and Jaelen Strong are all options for when the Browns make their first two picks. If the team ends up sticking with both Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel, getting a top receiver will need to be a priority.
