NFL Draft Rumors: Cleveland Browns looking to trade up for Marcus Mariota

Oct 18, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs the ball against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs the ball against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Browns will be looking to select a first round quarterback for the third time in four years, and are willing to trade into the top ten to do so.


The gears of the NFL rumor machine remain churning along. With the help of sources both knowledgeable and vague, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio revealed the the Cleveland Browns’ possible involvement in trades during the draft.

From Pro Football Talk:

"After burning a first-round pick in 2012 on Brandon Weeden and a first-round pick in 2014 on Johnny Manziel, the Browns are truly interested in using their two first-round picks in 2015 to move up and get Marcus Mariota, per multiple league sources."

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Florio doesn’t go into any detail regarding the nature of the “multiple league sources”, other than to say that they are in the league and they are numerous. Forgive the public if they find this breaking insider news to be a bit dubious.

The suspect nature of the report aside, the obvious spot to turn to for a trade partner is the second pick in the draft and Tennessee. The Titans have shown interest in choosing Mariota for themselves, but instead could decide to select who they believe to be the best player available, perhaps USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams or Florida hybrid edge rusher Dante Fowler, Jr.

They may believe they will find similar value in another position later in the draft, perhaps in an edge rusher like Kentucky’s Bud Dupree, so trading with down to 12 and 19 could be a steal.

If Mariota slips past the second pick, Washington appears to be a very possible destination for a trade to occur at the fifth pick.

Of course, Washington has expressed interest in taking Mariota for themselves Along with Cleveland, the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles have emerged as possible destinations for Mariota, either made attainable to them through trade or by selecting him at their current position.

Mariota sports many of the attributes needed in a professional quarterback, such as sharp decision making, sterling accuracy and the arms strength to make any necessary throws all across the field, while at the same time displaying the athleticism of a spread quarterback to make plays on the run and threaten defenses with his legs. The team that drafts him gets a strong, proven leader immediately.

Cleveland has the trade ammunition to move up to the second pick, but it may be more worth their time to stay with their two first round selections and fill needs on the roster. There is a solid chance that the team will be able to find an impact defensive player at 12, perhaps Washington’s Danny Shelton, that wouldn’t force the Browns to retool their defensive scheme.

Trading up will limit the amount of quality help the Browns can receive in the draft, and demonstrate that the club is at a loss for direction by going with a quarterback three times in four years.

[H/T: Pro Football Talk]

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