Realistic Draft-Trade Possibilities for the Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are likely to be an active participant in the 2015 NFL draft and could make multiple trades before the first day is even complete.
A season ago, general manager Ray Farmer showed a willingness to move around, as he made three trades on the Thursday night of the draft.
With two first-round selections and a total of six within the first 115 picks, the Browns are in position to be active once again, and rumors have already started flying around.
Whether the Browns use their picks to move up for a prospect they covet (Marcus Mariota?) or simply to land a veteran to plug a hole (Sam Bradford?), it's virtually a guarantee that the draft-day wheeling and dealing will involve the Browns.
Browns Trade No. 12, No. 19, Future Picks to Titans for No. 2
1 of 6
There's probably too much smoke around this rumor for there not to be some fire.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport recently stated that the Browns "covet" Mariota and have been in discussions with multiple teams in the top 10 about potentially moving up.
Unfortunately for the Browns, to land Mariota it will likely require a jump to No. 2, which almost certainly will cost the No. 12 and No. 19 picks and future picks.
The Tennessee Titans appear to be interested in acquiring a package of picks, but it's a tough sell to convince a team to drop from No. 2 overall to outside the top 10.
This year's relatively weak draft class probably hurts the Browns' chances, as the No. 2 overall selection would net the Titans an immediate-impact player, while there are no guarantees at No. 12 and No. 19.
It's probably safe to call this trade a long shot, but given the general interest on both sides it has to be considered a possibility.
Browns Trade No. 19 to Eagles for Sam Bradford
2 of 6
This trade only happens if the Philadelphia Eagles have a deal in place to send that 19th pick and others to the Titans for the No. 2 pick in an effort to land Marcus Mariota.
Mark Eckel of NJ Advance Media recently reported that the Eagles are rumored to be willing to send a package of picks in addition to Sam Bradford, Fletcher Cox and Mychal Kendricks for the No. 2 overall selection.
The Titans presumably would prefer one of the Browns' first-round selections rather than Bradford, so it's likely that Cleveland would be needed to facilitate this deal.
After acquiring Bradford from the St. Louis Rams, Kelly stated in a press conference that he had already received an offer of a first-round pick to send Bradford packing once again. And given the Browns' need for a quarterback and their excess picks in this draft, it wasn't a leap to guess they may have been the team.
Considering the lack of elite talent in this class, the Browns may view Bradford as a safer selection with the 19th pick than any of the prospects on the board.
Browns Trade No. 12 and Additional Picks to Move into Top 10
3 of 6
On Monday, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that the Browns have already been in discussions with the Washington Redskins and other teams about trading into the top 10.
"#Browns have had talks with #Redskins over the past week about potentially moving up to No. 5. They’ve touched base with most Top 10 teams
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 27, 2015"
The Browns own six of the first 115 picks and 10 overall. Given the number of players they have under contract, it will be extremely difficult for 10 rookies to make the final 53-man roster. Therefore, it's a fairly safe assumption that the Browns will package some picks to move up at some point on Day 1 or 2.
Mariota is obviously a potential trade target, but there are others who make sense as well.
Given the Browns' need for an outside receiver to start opposite Dwayne Bowe, West Virginia's Kevin White and Alabama's Amari Cooper should be considered possible alternative targets of the Browns if the Mariota deal fails to materialize.
The team may also covet Washington defensive lineman Danny Shelton, who has been linked to the Chicago Bears at No. 7. A trade up to No. 5 with Washington could conceivably be a strategic move to ensure the Browns land their top defensive target.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Browns Trade Down from No. 12 for Additional Day 2 Pick
4 of 6
If Amari Cooper, Kevin White, DeVante Parker and Danny Shelton are all off the board, what do the Browns do at No. 12?
There wouldn't be an obvious blend of value and need available, so Farmer may elect to trade down.
During the 2014 draft, Farmer showed he isn't shy about moving around on draft day, so it's reasonable to expect a similar approach if he doesn't love the team's options based on the prospects at the top of their board.
Since the team already owns six of the first 115 picks in this year's draft, by acquiring even more selections Farmer would ensure the ability to move up a few spots at some point later in the draft to land someone he coveted.
For example, by acquiring an additional second-round selection, Farmer would have the ammunition necessary to move back up to the top of the second round to select any player he wanted to target who slipped through the cracks on Day 1.
Browns Trade Up from No. 43 for Falling Prospect
5 of 6
If the Browns stick with their original picks in the first round, they'll enter Day 2 with four of the next 83 selections.
Since Farmer is a draft-day wheeler and dealer, the Browns should definitely be considered a candidate to jump to the top of Round 2 to ensure they land someone at the top of their board.
For example, let's say the Browns fail to land Danny Shelton in the first round. Defensive tackle would remain a need, and a prospect such as Florida State's Eddie Goldman could slip out of the first round.
Rather than hope for Goldman to slide to them at No. 43, Farmer could send a small package of picks to a team drafting near the top of the second round to land their guy.
There are multiple other prospects and position groups that could lead to a similar trade, including wide receivers such as Breshad Perriman or Jaelen Strong or offensive linemen such as Donovan Smith or T.J. Clemmings.
Browns Trade Mid-Round Pick for Mychal Kendricks
6 of 6
Since the Browns are probably another year away from competing, there aren't many proven NFL players they are likely to target, but Mychal Kendricks could be an exception for the right price.
Kendricks is in the final year of his contract in Philadelphia and has been rumored as a potentially tradable asset for the Eagles, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
In 2014, Kendricks received an overall grade of 19.1 from Pro Football Focus, and he would dramatically improve the Browns' situation at linebacker while starting next to Karlos Dansby.
The financial aspects of the deal would be easy to swing, as Kendricks is a former second-round pick still playing out his rookie contract.
The downside to the deal would be acquiring a player likely hoping for a significant payday who may end up being a one-year rental.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
