Could the Browns be contemplating moving up to draft a QB?
The Cleveland Browns recently hired Kevin O’Connell who worked with Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston and Bryce Petty over the past several weeks. He has also worked with Johnny Manziel, but could there be more to the deal? Could the reason they are bringing in O’Connell be to move up in the draft?
Mike Mayock talked to media today and was asked if the Cleveland Browns would be smart to move up to select a quarterback. Mayock doesn’t advocate the Browns trading up to draft Florida State’s Jameis Winston, who comes with off-the-field baggage, or Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, a scrambling quarterback who might not be able to operate from the pocket. The Browns have the No. 12 and No. 19 overall picks and might explore trading up for one of the top prospects, more likely Mariota because of Winston’s character concerns.
“My gut tells me that trying to move up and take one of those quarterbacks is very risky after they’ve already made several risky moves,” he said. “I mean, the first round last year, I’ll be the first to put my hand up and I hope I learn a lesson in that I kind of bought into Johnny just being immature. And apparently there’s a lot more than that. I don’t by any means think that he, or the corner they took in the first round (Justin Gilbert), careers are over. Both of them are very talented kids, and I hope the Browns get something out of both of them. But I think it’s difficult to package 12 and 19 and move up for what will be another question mark. Whether it’s a projection on the field or worries off the field. If I’m Cleveland, I’m looking at 12 and 19 and saying, ‘man, I need to get one of the best wide receivers in this draft, I probably could use a right tackle at some point.’ You’re going to need a tight end probably, depending on free agency. At the end of the day I’d like to get two great football players at 12 and 19 and I’d be very hesitant about moving up for a quarterback.”
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