NFL Draft Rumors: Browns Would Dominate Round 1 by Trading Up for Brandon Weeden

The Cleveland Browns have the ability to drastically change their future with a great showing in the 2012 NFL draft. What's more, if the latest rumors are true, they could quite possibly come out of Round 1 with a dominant grade.

According to Jason La Canfora of NFL.com, the Browns may look to trade up into the first round to secure a very interesting prospect:

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Teams and agents are trying to figure out where QB Brandon Weeden will go. Specifically, what do the Browns do at No. 22? Cleveland really likes Weeden, according to numerous sources with knowledge of the situation, but ideally, they'd love him at No. 37, in the second round.

I suspect if the Browns don't take him 22nd, and at this point I don't think they will, then a trade up into the late first round isn't out of the question.

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La Canfora goes on to say that the Browns' dream scenario would be to draft a wide receiver, running back and quarterback with their first three picks.

If the Browns could pull off a trifecta like that, they would have executed the best first round we've seen in a long time.

Earlier, I wrote on a report that stated the Browns were looking at either running back Trent Richardson or corner Morris Claiborne at No. 4 overall. The assumption here is that they would take Richardson.

At No. 22 overall, they could go for a receiver. Georgia Tech wideout Stephen Hill, Kendall Wright from Baylor or even Alshon Jeffery out of South Carolina would all be options.

This would give current starting quarterback Colt McCoy a starting running back and a legitimate deep threat. More importantly, it would give him zero reason to fail offensively.

By trading up into the first round to secure Weeden, they would then be taking control of their own future by not waiting around for the quarterback they want to potentially lead their team.

Full disclosure: I believe Colt McCoy is the man for the job in Cleveland. However, it is also very wise to have a more-than-capable backup.

Not only would Weeden push McCoy, but he would be available in the event of injury and Cleveland wouldn't miss a beat. He could also be the replacement and potential upgrade if it turns out Colt really isn't the right quarterback for the Browns.

Either way, they are taking control of their own fate and calling their own shots, and that would be a huge step for the Browns moving into the future.

They can drastically improve their offense, secure an immediate backup and perhaps even a future starter at the quarterback position—and do all of this before the second round.

It would be a dominant first-round performance by the Browns, and if you believe the rumors, it very well may happen.