2012 NFL Draft: Browns GM Doesn't Rule out Using Both First-Rounders for RG3

Cleveland Browns general manager Tom Heckert admitted that he has talked with the St. Louis Rams about their prized No. 2 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and said "I'd never say never about anything" in regard to giving up both of his first-round picks for Robert Griffin III in the upcoming April draft, as reported by ESPN.

The Browns hold the rights to the No. 4 and No. 22 picks of the First Round.  They also hold the No. 37 pick, the fifth pick of Round Two.  Many still feel that the Browns will end up being the eventual winner in the RG3 sweepstakes, and I have stuck with that belief myself, as evidenced in my most recent St. Louis Rams 7-round Mock Draft. 

With such ammunition available, the Browns have been viewed by almost everyone as being one of the two top suitors for the Rams' aforementioned No. 2 pick.

Heckert came close to completely ruling out any interest in chasing Peyton Manning in the above linked report, saying "that's probably not a direction we're going in." 

When looking at Manning's assumed desire to land with a team ready to win now and the Browns likely being at least a couple of years away, it would be no surprise if the Browns passed on pursuing Manning. 

Earlier today, a report from Chris Russell of ESPN 980 of Washington on ESPN's SportsCenter (as shared by si.com) surfaced, saying that Manning is not interested in playing for the Washington Redskins.  I analyzed the potential impact of this news in regard to the Rams and their shopping of the No. 2 pick here. 

Washington have been viewed by some as the front-runner for the Rams No. 2 pick, including Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 

If reports prove true and Washington is out of the mix for Manning, with Cleveland not ruling out giving both of their 2012 first-round picks, the Rams may be gaining steam in parlaying their draft position into a bountiful harvest. 

Rich Eisen of the NFL Network is of the belief that St. Louis and their general manager, Les Snead, are going after three No. 1 picks, as he stated here: 

"Rich Eisen‏ @richeisen 

Just had chat with Rams GM Les Snead. Sure sounded like he wants 3 first-rounders for #2 pick. Podcast will post later iTunes/NFL.com.

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At the moment, it appears the market is shaping up nicely for the Rams.  

Ideally for the Rams, a team with no interest in RG3 will end up with Manning, leaving teams like the Browns and Redskins, among others, to slug it out in a high-stakes bidding war in the pursuit of RG3 and that highly-regarded and much-discussed No. 2 pick of the Rams.  

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year-round. You are encouraged to check out the rest of his work here and to follow him on Twitter.

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