Report: Jim Mora not trying to help Josh Rosen avoid Browns

Former UCLA head coach Jim Mora has made some comments about Josh Rosen lately that sounds as though they are meant to discourage the Cleveland Browns from drafting the quarterback first overall, but that apparently is not the case.

Last week, Mora said he feels USC’s Sam Darnold is the best choice for the No. 1 overall pick because he would be a better fit with the Browns.

“Because of fit, I would take Sam Darnold if I were the Cleveland Browns,” Mora said on “Path to the Draft.” “I think [he has] that blue-collar, gritty attitude. I think his teammates will love him. I think the city will love him. He’ll say the right things. He’ll come in and represent well. I think he kind of represents what Cleveland is. And then if I was one of the New York teams, I’d take Josh like that. I think they’re both going to be great pros.”

It was strange to hear Rosen’s college coach say another QB should be taken over his own guy, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk was told that Mora’s remarks had nothing to do with helping Rosen avoid Cleveland. Rather, Mora was simply expressing his own opinions candidly.

Moreover, Florio was told that Rosen fully intends to sign with and play for whichever team drafts him. At one point, Rosen seemed to confirm that he would prefer not to be drafted by the Browns, but he has since changed his tune.

Mora has taken a very realistic approach when discussing Rosen, and some more recent comments he made could also be interpreted as not all that flattering.