The Browns, once again, own the top pick in the draft. Many expect Cleveland to stand pat and draft one of this year’s top quarterbacks, but new GM John Dorsey says the team has not ruled out trading the pick, as Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com tweets. 
“Give me a call and see what’s up,” Dorsey said with regards to the top selection.
Of course, the Browns have misfired in each of the last two drafts by trading down instead of selecting franchise quarterbacks themselves. In 2016, they sent the No. 2 overall pick in the draft to the Eagles, who selected Carson Wentz. Last year, they gave up the No. 12 pick to the Texans, clearing the way for Houston to select Deshaun Watson. The trades yielded considerable draft capital for Cleveland – including this year’s No. 4 overall pick, courtesy of Houston – but those deals may haunt the Browns for years to come.
The Browns will likely ask for a king’s ransom if they are to move out of the top spot, but it’s conceivable that Dorsey is not completely sold on Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, or Josh Allen, all of whom would be candidates for the No. 1 pick. If Dorsey is higher on a QB such as Baker Mayfield, he’ll likely be able to select him at either No. 4 or a pick further down the line while filling one of the team’s many holes elsewhere. The Browns could also punt on all of this year’s top prospects if they are able to snag an established veteran such as Kirk Cousins in free agency.
Browns fans may not want to hear that Dorsey is willing to trade down from No. 1, but it would be foolish for Dorsey to not at least listen to offers.
He must be watching Draft Day. Smart move though. You have number four.
I’m sorry, there’s nothing smart about the Browns…ever. If they trade down every year for the next 50 years & in 2068 they finally have all 224 picks, the entire draft, they’d screw it up. It would be the worst draft class ever, there’d be a wild party afterward & 50 picks would get arrested for drugs, & another 50 for prostitution. The
The rest would simply be busts. It didn’t help that they drafted 150 QB’s hoping to get 1 good one. Remember, folks, Dorsey got fired from KC, he ain’t all that great. The Browns have a curse, you see…they fired Bill Belicheck as head coach.
Nope, the Ravens fired Belichick. Do your research.
Lmao I’m dead ahahaha
Omg. He wasn’t kidding. That’s technically true!
He left KC because there was a diagreement over roster control between him and Andy Reid.
Lmao
good lord. every damn year.
Yep! Every year writers rush to report the team with #1 pick is open to trading it…Well no shit!
Yes the draft is every year
Yes. They have an annual NFL draft
Zach- you and a lot of other reporters/people are so quick to judge Cleveland “misfiring” by trading back and not selecting Wentz or Watson. Those guys were put in a position to win with Houston and Philly. They would not be successful with the Browns current roster. Either way you guys would scrutinize the Browns. Pick wentz, wouldn’t be nearly as good as he was in Philly, misfired again at QB. Trade down, misfire.. Why don’t you analyze that the Browns are finally in a position to build around the QB position with their picks so in a year or two, they can add a young guy who can actually be successful.. or if they choose to go the route of getting a proven pro (like cousins), they don’t need #1 overall..
I appreciate the feedback, Sashi.
We can’t say with certainty that Wentz or Watson would have succeeded in Cleveland, but we can say with certainty that they are two of the league’s top young QBs. The Browns are now nearing two decades without an answer under center.
I did make mention of the team’s draft capital in the article and the possibility of a Cousins signing that would allow them to pass on this year’s top QB prospects, so I’m not sure what you’re upset about.
Yeah, them Harvard degrees just ain’t what they used to be.
It’s the constant reminder that the browns passed on Wentz and Watson. It’s every article. It could not even be draft related and the mention of passing on those two guys still comes up. It’s exhausting as a browns fan after a while… I guess it’s worth remembering that many team passed on Watson, and imo a lot of teams could have traded into that spot in order to draft him but didn’t.
Yes, hindsight is 20/20. But it’s relevant and absolutely warrants mentioning here.
Agreed. Just explaining how’s it’s exhausting after going 1-31 and seeing those guys excel elsewhere.
Sashi? Zach you’re an animal lol
I’m just saying, it could end of being genius passing on those two guys, it could be a misfire, it could not be a storyline at all bc the browns picks panned out. Both QBs got hurt within 2 years of being in the league and if they were with Cleveland it would’ve been ever sooner.
I️’d bet you one thing for sure though if the Browns passed on Myles Garrett it would’ve been worse than passing on any QB the past 2 years.
I do agree that the Browns get a little more hate for it than they deserve. It’s true that the Eagles and Texans were more ideal landing spots for Wentz and Watson because there was talent already on those rosters (the same can’t be said about Cleveland’s). The previous front office probably deserves it for Wentz since Hue Jackson was supposedly high on him (and told him they were going to draft him). But the Watson one isn’t really their fault. I was high on Watson going into the draft (I thought he was the most NFL ready) but I didn’t think he’d be as good as he played. The Bears gave up picks to move up one spot for one of the worst statistical QBs last year (although its hardly his fault since he didn’t have WRs) and the Chiefs took a QB ahead of Watson with the intention of sitting him all year.
Well the Jets seem like the team that may be able to work the deal they have 2 second rounders this year
So The Jets #6 pick both their 2nd rounders their 3rd rounder this year
The Jets 1st and second rounders next year and a 2020 second rounder might get a deal done to jump from # 6 to #1
But if you make this type of move you better be bringing in your Franchise type QB from Free Agency or Trade JMO.
Great … now exhale … what a tingly feeling
If they really want to be in on a rookie QB, they’re better off moving up to the #4 pick than to trade basically everything the next two years to go from #6 to #1. The Jets aren’t [insert rookie QB here] from being a playoff contender. Moving that many picks for one guy isn’t worth it for the Jets.
that’s just dumb… The Browns probably aren’t interested (and shouldn’t be interested) in moving pick #4. There are 4 QBs that could go #1, and it seems that 2 of them will still be available at #4. It also seems that Saquon Barkley will be available at #4. There’s quite a bit less value in pick #4 (as a pick) than pick #1. The player that goes in both spots will be of relatively equal caliber.
That is waaay to much to move up 5 spots. I’m not saying the Jets don’t try to trade for #1, but it won’t be for that deal.
This happens every year. All draft spots are open for trading.
That said, if Dorsey trades it I will be pissed.
Yeah exactly, it’s just gamesmanship on his part. Anyone is “open” to trading anything if you give them way too much to turn down.
He should trade the four to move up and guarantee his choice of QB and Barkley
Why give up assets to get Barkley? Haven’t we all learned you can get a quality RB in later rounds? Don’t the Browns have more pressing holes to fill?
Yes, they sure do.
FS, CB, WR, and RB just to begin with.
I just thought about this the other day, the “non-premium” positions look like it will be that #4 Pick (RB or FS). I wonder if Dorsey is considering an RB there at all. He has drafted Kareem Hunt and Spencer Ware in later rounds.
Quite a few RBs should be available later, especially some that are bruiser types.
Still think they should take the non QB they really want at #1. Giants may take a QB but Indy def won’t. So u still will have 3-4 to choose from.
That only works if the Giants take the QB that the Browns don’t want. If, say, they are the highest on Josh Allen and not too high on Mayfield/Rosen/Darnold, then you take Allen with the #1. But if they think all of them are pretty even, then taking the best non-QB at #1 isn’t a bad idea. The only other risk is if Indy trades back with a QB needy team.
Barkley will have an immediate impact. Any of those QB’s should sit and watch a vet for at least a yr. all of the non Sr. QB’s out there should have stayed for another yr. Getting a FA QB is critical but finding one that wants to play in Cleveland as a placeholder is tough. Bridgewater ??
Bridgewater would make sense, as he needs to start somewhere and build up value. But I don’t think it matters if someone has an immediate impact for the Browns. It is about the future in Cleveland.
LOL no.
You take Barkley, trade the #4 overall pick to the #10-#20 range to pick up extra picks, sign a veteran FA QB as a stop gap, and draft a QB next year.
Use this draft to
A. Fix the WRs and offensive line
B. Fix the CBs and S
C. Fix the run defense via NT and LBs
Unfortunately the top end of the FA QB’s will not go to the Browns cause they want a chance to win now. So your kinda stuck with the bottom rungQB’s
Uh, if I recall correctly, the Browns already have more picks than anyone else. The last thing they need to do is trade down for more.
O line and the front 7 is fine. Only concern would be if Joe Thomas retires. CB will probably be addressed in FA and the draft. Probably same with WR. Deep safety is a need. Fitzpatrick can be drafted at 4 or Joyner in FA to fixed the Safety… who would you replace on the front 7 or on the o line if Thomas comes back? Those aren’t needs.
You must not be a Browns fan. A rebuilding team should never take a running back first overall, they already have so many picks that trading down is pointless, and the offensive line and run defense are already fine (the other areas are weaknesses but there are plenty of remaining picks to fix those).
If the Browns don’t end up with a franchise quarterback THIS offseason, it wouldn’t be a stretch to call it a failure. They’ll never have a better chance than they do now.
There’s nothing wrong with taking a QB with the #1 pick and still letting them sit behind a veteran QB this year. Even if the Browns were to pass on a QB this year, hit on every single draft pick this year, and take one next year, that rookie QB still won’t be in a significantly better position. This QB class is deeper than next year’s so take a QB this year (with either pick) and sign a veteran to mentor and run the show for a year or two.
UNTIL HASLEM SELLS THE TEAM AND THE BROWNS GET NEW OWNERSHIP THE FANS ….ED!
Don’t be surprised if they draft 2 quarterbacks.
That’s the tough part. With 4 QB’s of equal ability it would be easy to Wiff with the #1 pick. I doubt if anyone has ever taken 2 QB’s with 1 st and 4th overall picks but leave it to the Brownies to be the first
I didn’t say with the 1st and 4th. More like with the 1st, and then a later round project.
Then your comment was irrelevant. No one cares if the Browns draft Q.B. McBonespurs out of Phoenix Online in the 2nd to 7th round.
Dorsey might be the smartest GM in the world, but here’s what will happen (I’ve seen it for decades with the Browns, so know exactly how it works):
Scenario 1: He trades out of #1 overall and picks up two other #1s. He uses those two other picks and the #4 overall on Minkah Fitzpatrick, Josh Allen, and Derrius Guice. Fitzpatrick and Guice get into a huge fight in Week 2 and injure themselves, never to be good again. Allen has a bad couple of years with no WRs or RBs around him and eventually gets cut or traded by 2020.
Scenario #2: They take Sam Darnold and Saquan Barkley. The Browns win the Draft!! Finally!
Except, no. Barkley has a horrible repeat of Ki-Jana Carter’s (also #1 overall pick) career. Hue Jackson rotates between Darnold and his man crush A.J. McCarron every other week. No one is happy. They both ask for their release. Hue is fired after the season. Dorsey retires right after.
And with the 2019 #1 pick, the Browns select…..
Did you remember to kick the dog today, too?
So, you’re saying that no matter what, the Browns’ RB selection will be injured?
Draft Rosen, Darnold, and trade back into the 1st at like 19 or 20 and take Allen, Jackson or Mayfield. Hedge your bets you know?
There probably not gotta draft Sam darnold as first pick cause he’s not throwing in the combine
Don’t be stupid Cleveland. Draft Barkley at 1 and take whatever QB you like most at 4. Worst franchise in history of any competitive sport.