Josh Rosen Denies Report He Doesn't Want to Play for Browns, Prefers Giants

Josh Rosen would have no problem if the Cleveland Browns made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Per Sports Illustrated's Michael Silver, Rosen denied a previous report that he didn't want to play for the Browns.

"I've never said anything about not wanting to play in Cleveland," Rosen said. "I don't know where that came from. There's absolutely no foundation in reality in that [report]."

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in December that Rosen had "expressed concern" about ending up with the Browns and preferred to play for the New York Giants, who pick second.

In leading up to UCLA's appearance in the Cactus Bowl against Kansas State on Dec. 26, Rosen said he'd prefer to be part of an organization in the best position to make use of his talents.

"I'd rather be a lower pick at the right team than a higher [pick] at the wrong team," he said, per ESPN's Josh Weinfuss.

Rosen declared for the draft in January after spending the previous three seasons at UCLA. He missed two games last season, including the Bruins' 35-17 loss in the Cactus Bowl, with a concussion.

B/R's Matt Miller has Rosen ranked as the No. 6 overall prospect in the 2018 draft and called him the most NFL-ready quarterback in the class. Miller only has USC's Sam Darnold, at No. 5, ahead of him.

The Browns, who became the second team in NFL history to finish a season 0-16, own the first and fourth picks in the first round.