NFL Draft Rumors: Browns Are Being Reckless with Possible Colt McCoy Trade

When the Cleveland Browns drafted Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden on Thursday night with the No. 22 overall pick, Colt McCoy became expendable.

After starting for the Browns for parts of the last two seasons, McCoy could be heading off to Green Bay to become Aaron Rodgers' backup.

According to Packer Report's Bill Huber, the Packers could be sending some combination of their sixth-round pick and four seventh-round picks to Cleveland in exchange for McCoy.

Browns GM Tom Heckert has said that a trade is something he'd think about as the draft progresses, according to Huber.

Prior to the draft, Weeden wasn't projected as a first-round selection. However, he was considered the fourth-best quarterback prospect, and he indicated that he and the Browns had a good relationship leading up to the draft. He also said that he was ready to compete with McCoy for the starting job right off the bat, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, though that probably won't be necessary now.

Weeden, 28, spent five seasons pitching in the New York Yankees' minor-league system before a torn labrum and tendinitis in his throwing shoulder forced him into a new career path.

He sat for his first two seasons at Oklahoma State before assuming the starting role as a junior. Last season, with the help of wide receiver Justin Blackmon, he threw for 4,727 yards and 37 touchdowns.

McCoy, on the other hand, failed to establish himself as a reliable NFL quarterback after the Browns selected him in the third round of the draft in 2010.

Last season, he started 13 games and went 4-9 with 2,733 yards, 14 TDs and 11 picks.

Though he hasn't proven much, Weeden is confident he can emerge as a viable starter for the Browns next season.

He told the Plan Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot: 

"

I'm a competitor, and I want to play as soon as possible. … Fortunately, I got a taste of the [West Coast] terminology at the Senior Bowl. That's the biggest adjustment. If I get an opportunity, I'll do everything in my power to come in and be the guy. 

"

Maybe the Browns liked his bravado, but they seem to be placing a lot of confidence in a guy who hasn't yet taken a snap in the NFL and wasn't expected by many to be a solid first-rounder. If he doesn't work out, the Browns—once again—will be stuck in NFL purgatory for another year. 

Having said that, maybe this is all temporary and the Browns are really making a ploy to get the first overall pick next year to select USC's Matt Barkley.

You never know.