Browns 2016 NFL Draft Rumors: Latest News, Buzz and Speculation on No. 8 Pick

Timothy RappApr 26, 2016

The Cleveland Browns made one of the biggest splashes in the 2016 offseason, dealing the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a bounty of picks over the next three drafts, including the No. 8 selection this year. But the team may not be done wheeling and dealing.

Continue for updates.

Browns Reportedly Looking to Trade For Additional 1st-Round Pick

Thursday, April 28

The Browns and Dallas Cowboys have "inquired" about trading for a second first-round pick with a "potential eye on [quarterback] Paxton Lynch," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter (via ESPN PR).

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the Browns are looking to move back from the No. 8 overall selection in the first round and then trade up from the second round. Rapoport named the Jacksonville Jaguars as a team that could be interested in trading back.

Teams Interested in Elliott Could Serve as Trade Partners

Wednesday, April 27

Rapoport reported the Browns "have been having discussions" with teams that would want to trade up to draft running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Browns Reportedly Looking to Trade Down

Tuesday, April 26

The Browns are reportedly interested in trading out of the No. 8 selection at Thursday's NFL draft, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.

Per that report, the team is interested in trading back in the first round into the teens and targeting Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, with Michigan State offensive lineman Jack Conklin serving as the team's ideal backup selection if its favored wideout is off the board.

Alex Marvez of Fox Sports reported the team is also considering taking quarterback Connor Cook if it trades back later into the first round.

Brown Comments on Browns' Potential Draft Pick

Tuesday, April 26

Browns head of football operations Sashi Brown said the team does have a player targeted if it stays at No. 8.

"We're set, locked in, know who we'll be taking," Brown said on 92.3 The Fan, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "And if that player's not there, or if we get another offer that just blows our socks off, we'll know how to react to that."

And while the Browns have plenty of team needs to fill, Brown said the team will be taking a "best player available" approach:

"
We don't want to get to a place where we're thinking of the current needs of the roster and pass over better football players. So you take the guy you feel like can best impact you winning and we certainly feel like that's kind of our mantra and our central theme. Sometimes position does play into that decision and we're not blind to what the roster is. But at the same time, we're not going to take a worse player because we're already set or we have less of a need.
"

Browns in Dire Need of Dynamic Offensive Talent

Adding playmakers on offense is certainly a huge need, especially after Josh Gordon's petition to be reinstated was denied earlier in April. If the Browns remain at No. 8, there's a possibility that Elliott will still be on the board, while the team would almost assuredly have its pick of the wide receiver class at that spot.

It's also possible the team could target a quarterback such as Paxton Lynch, focus on the offensive line or simply take the top defensive player on the board.

The Browns certainly have plenty of options, and they are also well-positioned to move back into the first round if a player they like falls into the bottom half of the first round. The Browns will have plenty of excellent options at No. 8, but it wouldn't be surprising if they continued stockpiling selections by trading out of the pick, either.

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