2012 NFL Draft: Today's War Room Thoughts for the Cleveland Browns

Could the Cleveland Browns trade down from the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft?

On Monday, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that general manager Tom Heckert is not opposed to moving the pick as long as the team doesn't draft any later than eighth.

The Browns reportedly have their eye on five players they could potentially take with their first pick and seem to believe that most, if not all of them, could still be on the board even if they move down.

Cabot then followed up today by saying that the St. Louis Rams would be the most likely trade partner with the Browns if they're looking to drop a few spots. The Rams, formerly in possession of the No. 2 overall pick (before, you know, that whole thing with RG3 and the Washington Redskins), now have the sixth pick in the draft.

Rams head coach Jeff Fisher confirmed that his team has been in discussion with the Browns about a possible trade and that moving either up or down is a distinct possibility. The issue with moving up to No. 4 for the Rams is what kind of compensation the Browns would be looking for, as well as the identity of the player is they'd be moving down to draft.

If the Browns do move down to No. 6, then it's all but a given that they won't land top running back prospect Trent Richardson; the Rams may be targeting him at No. 4, and if not, he's likely to be selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who pick fifth.

That means wide receiver Justin Blackmon could easily be in play (if he's not the Rams' ultimate target), or even Notre Dame's Michael Floyd. They could also be targeting another of their most-pressing needs, right tackle, with the position—Iowa's Riley Reiff or Ohio State's Mike Adams could be in play.

But clearly, the Browns aren't yet certain they will stay at No. 4 this year. That changes things considerably when it comes to their overall draft strategy—the Browns certainly need a No. 1 running back, but they may have their eye on a player in a later round (or later in the first round, where the Browns also pick 22nd) instead of Richardson.

So, it's still very much a question of whether the Browns will select a running back, receiver or right tackle first overall. And now, it's also a question of exactly where they will make that pick. Top 10, yes, but where will make a world of difference.

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