Following the Browns’ assortment of moves late last week, Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman believes the organization has made it clear who they’ll select with the top-overall pick in the upcoming draft. After having added quarterback Tyrod Taylor, team executives and coaches believe the Browns are now eyeing Penn State running back Saquon Barkley with the first-overall pick.
According to Freeman, much of this sentiment is attributed to Taylor, who many believe is “far more talented than he’s give credit for.” Furthermore, since the Browns have the luxury of picking both first and fourth, they could opt for Barkley with the top pick and still take a top-tier quarterback with their second selection. While selecting a running back first overall isn’t considered optimal value, Freeman notes that general manager John Dorsey is an “old-school football man,” meaning he might ignore this modern mindset.
Another team official suggested that the Browns could alternatively shop the first-overall selection and acquire multiple picks. Freeman is also hearing that Cleveland could still select a quarterback with the first pick and then take North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb with their next selection.
With Taylor, Jarvis Landry, and Josh Gordon on the roster, the Browns already look like they’ll have a much-improved offense in 2018. Of course, adding Barkley would only provide the organization with another intriguing weapon. The running back had another standout campaign in 2017, running for 1,271 yards and 18 touchdowns on 217 carries. He also added another 54 receptions for 632 yards and three scores. Currently, the Browns are rostering five running backs, including Duke Johnson, Matt Dayes, Darius Jackson, Kelvin Taylor, and Josh Rounds.
Barkley at 1.
Rosen at 2.
Chubb at 3.
Darnold at 4.
could happen, but I think the Giants would take Darnold if available..
Allen will prove to be the best QB in this draft
Hahahahahaha
Mayfield will prove to be the best QB in this draft
People need to stop drinking the Baker Koolaid
IMO the QB Rankings for the daft
1) Josh Rosen
2) Josh Allen
3) Baker Mayfield
4) San Darnold
5) Mason Rudolf
6) Lamar Jackson
I think if Barkley goes 1, Giants may trade down from the 2 spot, to take an offensive lineman in the top half, then should have multiple picks (more than they had before) in the first 3 rounds to work with.
With worst roster in football the colts should trade back and acquire picks
Wait, I thought my Browns had the worst roster? At least that’s what I always read on here.
Thank you.
I think they should take Barkley at 1 and Josh Allen at 4. Allen is the sexy pick with the highest ceiling, Darnold is the safe pick. Mayfield and Rosen are both too risky.
I wonder if the Browns are posturing to get someone to try to trade up for the number one pick thinking Barkley won’t be there if they don’t. Although Barkley is a freak and certainly worthy of the first pick.
Exactly what I was thinking. Or even if they do like Barkley, maybe the Gints will give them some good picks to flip places 1-2.
All of those would be star qbs in this draft are over rated!!!
QBs are always overrated at the draft because they play the most important position. But if the guy that a team picks turns out to be a franchise-caliber player (or even just a really good player) its all worth it in the end.
They should take two of these three: Fitzpatrick, Chubb, Barkley. You go all D and that side of the ball is nasty next year, not in a few years. Can find value in RB in the second round like Dorsey found with Hunt last year.
Hunt was a 3rd round pick
Cleveland really can’t afford to not take a QB this year. I don’t think next year’s QB class is considered as highly or deep as this year’s. Imo, all the QBs this year aren’t NFL-ready yet and could use a year or two to develop. With Tyrod Taylor, the Browns can buy themselves at least one year of sitting their top QB prospect.
Worst thing Cleveland can do is not take Barkley at 1. They will mess it up somehow.
This. It’s the one guarantee every year, the Browns WILL botch the draft, plain and simple.
Except, what happened last year? Seems they got it right, RIGHT?
The Browns luck is he turns into Trent Richardson…
Stop it.
That’s hilarious!
Of course the Browns 2.0 was able to get one thing right when they flipped him to Indy for a 1st and minimize the damage.
1) Browns – Barkley
2) trade with Broncos – Darnold
3) trade with Jets – Allen
4) Browns – Rosen
5) NYG – Chubb
6) Indy – Nelson
7) Bucs – Fitzpatrick
8) Bears – Edmunds
9) SF – Smith
10) Raiders – Ward
Nelson would be more likely to the giants if they trade back
I agree that if the Giants trade back with the Broncos it would be for Nelson, but if the Broncos could somehow get Cousins in free agency then I believe they would trade up for Chubb not Darnold
I think the OP is assuming Denver doesn’t get Cousins, it would be a questionable decision for any team to give Cousins a big contract and draft a QB with a top 10 pick (or even a first round pick). I don’t see Denver trading up in that scenario though. They’d still have a very good shot at getting Chubb or another defensive player with their current pick. In this scenario, I’m assuming Cleveland takes Barkley and a QB, the Jets trading up (with Indy or the Giants) for their own QB, and then the Giants taking a QB as well (if they keep their pick) or the Colts taking Chubb or a defensive player with their pick (if they kept their pick).
I can’t wait for the smokin’ Josh Rosen memes. I can’t be the only one
This would be the right and smart move because in a year where none of the quarterbacks are top 5 worthy, you take the best player, especially when your guaranteed a QB at 4
Barkley should have been one in the first place for months with whatever qb was left at 4. It was just common sense
Problem is a stud RB leads a franchise for a handful of years and just when he starts burning out that franchise QB gets better with age and leads a franchise twice as long.
Baker is the best QB of the draft. Look at his numbers compared to every other QB prospect. He also works hard, has been in the big stage and has played against competitive teams. I believe he’s the best available. As a browns fan, I hope we pick him 4th overall
Landry Jones (another Oklahoma QB) says hi.
Every usc QB since Carson palmer says hi too…..(they all suck)
Yeppers.
Big 12 QB stats are always over inflated. Not saying they can’t be successful, but Big 12 QBs have not translated well into the NFL since 2000. Off the top of my head, the best Big 12 QBs in the NFL since 2000 are Andy Dalton and Sam Bradford.
Duh.
Barkley and see what you can random 4th for. Cards, Bills, Jets.
Maybe the Browns can find a sucker like the Bears to trade up for a player no one else was gonna take. Either way, I agree with the post above. Barkeley and one of Chubb or Fitzpatrick sounds like the smart move to me. If one of the QBs slides to the second then I’d take one, but with Tyrod Taylor I believe they have a nice window to find their future qb without making one of these guys something they don’t seem to be
Lamar Jackson is a good fit for the Browns since he is a long term project and Tyrod Taylor can hold down the fort while he develops. Plus he wouldn’t cost a first rounder, and they could trade back from 4 and demand a Kong’s ransom from someone who wants a QB there, and grab Jackson from any number of spots after that.
No more trading back.
There is speculation that a team could take him late in the first round. That fifth year option would be valuable in determining if Jackson can be an NFL QB.
So most think it’s okay to draft Barkley in the top 5, but not at #1? Why not? He has to be drafted sometime.