The Cleveland Browns signed veteran quarterback Josh McCown this offseason and are hoping Johnny Manziel is a new man when he emerges from rehab, but that does not mean they are opposed to drafting a quarterback in the first round later this month.
Pro Football Talk is reporting that the Browns are “truly interested” in using their two first round picks — No. 12 and No. 19 — to move up and put themselves in position to draft former Oregon star Marcus Mariota.
The big question mark for the Browns is how high they would have to move to take Mariota. The Titans hold the No. 2 pick, and there have been indications that they do not want Mariota and are interested in trading down. The Jaguars pick at No. 3 and the Raiders at No. 4, and both of those teams drafted quarterbacks last year who are currently their starters. Would the No. 12 and No. 19 overall picks be enough to trade with the Redskins — who may be willing to trade their pick — at No. 5?
The Browns supposedly offered the Eagles a first-round for Sam Bradford after they signed McCown, so they may not be content with what they have at quarterback. There were reports at the end of last season that Cleveland was interested in Mariota if Manziel didn’t step up, and Manziel went to rehab after that.
Of course, this all assumes that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will select Jameis Winston with the first overall pick, which apparently is not a sure thing. If that doesn’t happen, the speculation will get even more out of control.
