Cleveland Browns: Analyzing Latest NFL Draft Rumors and Reports

The Cleveland Browns are no strangers to predraft rumors. This is a team that is so comfortable trading picks, moving up and down in rounds and performing all kinds of draft-day acrobatics that rumors seem only natural. And the Browns also have two picks in Round 1 of the 2015 NFL draft, which allows ample room for speculation.

With the draft just days away, the rumor mill is working overtime. Here are five draft rumors and reports swirling the Browns as the draft rapidly approaches.

Fuel for the Trade-Up Fire?

If the Cleveland Browns wanted to make anyone—fans, the media, other teams—think that they weren't in the Marcus Mariota business, head coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer did a poor job of it last week.

Both men spoke to the media on back-to-back days. Both men were asked about the longstanding rumor that the Browns were interested in trading their two Round 1 picks—Nos. 12 and 19—to move up to draft Mariota. And both men answered the question the same way: "Sure, why not?" were their answers.

The Browns may have to package more than those two picks to move up, as high as No. 2 overall, if they are truly smitten with Mariota. But with both men saying the same thing—and saying it with a bit of a wink and a smile—this appears to be more of a predraft smokescreen than an actual statement of intent by either Pettine or Farmer.

Browns Part of a Three-Way Trade?

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Mark Eckel of NJ.com reported last week that rumors are making their way through all 32 teams' predraft meetings—rumors of a three-way trade that will result in the Philadelphia Eagles landing quarterback Marcus Mariota with the No. 2 overall pick. And the Browns are a part of it.

Eckel reports that the trade would involve the Eagles giving the Browns quarterback Sam Bradford for their 19th overall pick and then packaging that pick, their own No. 20 pick, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and linebacker Mychal Kendricks to the Tennessee Titans for the No. 2 pick, allowing them to take Mariota.

Meanwhile, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio also has a few three-way trade scenarios that involve the Browns, including the Browns giving up both Round 1 picks for Bradford and the Eagles' 2016 Round 1 selection and the Eagles then trading up for Mariota by giving picks 12, 19 and 20 to a team picking in the top five. 

Florio also posits this scenario: "Alternatively: (1) the Browns get Bradford and No. 20 in 2015 from Philly; (2) the Eagles get Mariota; and (3) a team in the top five gets the No. 12 and No. 19 in 2015, and Philly’s first-round pick in 2016."

Either way, chatter persists that the Eagles will do whatever it takes to be able to draft Mariota this year, and it apparently involves one or both of Cleveland's Round 1 picks as part of that deal.

A Running Back in Round 1?

The Browns hosted the two top running back prospects, Georgia's Todd Gurley and Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon, for predraft visits, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. While it could be the Browns simply doing their due diligence given they have two picks in Round 1, it actually could indicate something more.

The News-Herald's Jeff Schudel believes that either Gurley or Gordon could be in play for the Browns in Round 1 this year, citing not just a recent mock draft by ESPN's Mel Kiper that has the Browns taking Gurley at No. 19, but also comments made last week by Browns general manager Ray Farmer.

Farmer said, "Right player, right price, sure. It's interesting how people get into these swells of 'running backs shouldn't go in the first round.' I don't see why. If you get a guy and that's kind of who you are and what you want to be, why wouldn't you? I guess that's probably where I'm at."

Farmer added, "Some people say, 'The guy has got to be Adrian Peterson to be taken in the first round' just to throw a name out there. I don't know if anybody could ever say they knew it was going to be what it was going to be because otherwise, somebody would have drafted him as the first overall player and not where he went."

Clearly, the Browns aren't afraid of taking a running back in Round 1 this year—as long as the player and price is right. 

ESPN's Mel Kiper, Todd McShay Have Browns Focusing on Trenches in Round 1

ESPN draft experts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay released a collaborative, three-round mock draft on Friday, and they have the Browns focusing on the trenches in Round 1.

At No. 12 overall, Kiper has the Browns selecting Washington nose tackle Danny Shelton, saying, "Get an every-down, two-gapping, block-eating monster who can come in ready to help at a position of need? Don't mind if I do. We'll get the help at wide receiver later on. Malcom Brown is a consideration, but Shelton gets the edge."

At No. 19, McShay has the Browns taking Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat, saying, "The Browns need to add depth along their offensive line, and Peat is the No. 12 prospect on my board, so the value makes sense here." It would be assumed Peat would serve as an upgrade on current right tackle Mitchell Schwartz.

Skill positions wait until later for Kiper and McShay, with the Browns selecting tight end Maxx Williams in Round 2. They move back to defense in Round 3 for Utah outside linebacker Nate Orchard.

Browns Could Trade Up, Down and All Around

Gail Burton/Associated Press

In speaking with the media last week, Browns head coach Mike Pettine expressed a willingness to trade up or down in Round 1 of the 2015 draft—though, of course, he was noncommittal about doing either. 

Pettine, via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, said, "I think everybody's at the point where all the teams call around, they call each other and I think everybody says, 'We're looking to trade up. We're looking to trade down.' I think you never truly know 'til you get close."

However, to do so would be about finding the proper value for picks and for players, saying, "It's all about value. It's making sure that you're getting value for the pick and you're adding value to your roster and players that can help you in the short term and in the long term."

The Browns moved both down and up in Round 1 last year, doing both to select cornerback Justin Gilbert eighth overall and then jumping up from No. 26 to No. 22 to take quarterback Johnny Manziel. The Browns yet again have two picks in Round 1, which Pettine expects will draw attention from other teams: "I'm sure, given the picks that we have this year, that Ray [Farmer's] phone will be ringing."

This doesn't mean the Browns will make any moves out of Nos. 12 or 19 in Round 1, but given that the precedent has already been set, it would be unsurprising should they do so.