John Dorsey: 'Who's to Say' Browns Won't Trade Up in Round 1 of 2019 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns were the most aggressive buyers on the free agency market, but a franchise that hasn't made the postseason since 2002 likely needs more than just one or two splash signings to reach its goals.

Browns general manager John Dorsey knows that. 

"Business as usual," Dorsey said while appearing on the latest episode of ESPN's The Adam Schefter Podcast (h/t CBS Sports). "That's the way it is. Who's to say I won't go up in the first round? ... My phone's open." 

Cleveland traded away its 2019 first-round pick (No. 17) as part of the package that landed star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from the New York Giants on March 12.

When Schefter asked if Dorsey and the Browns front office celebrated landing Beckham Jr., Dorsey brushed it off. 

"Why?" he asked. "We are 7-8-1. We're third place in the AFC North. We haven't accomplished anything. Now, we got better with a better player, and hopefully we can move this thing and be ultra competitive in the AFC North. But, as you well know, it takes 53 guys to play the game of football."

Dorsey added that good teams win in the fall, not March.

Since taking over as Browns general manager in Dec. 2017, however, Dorsey has made significant moves in the spring to help build a historically lowly franchise.

In last year's draft, Dorsey selected quarterback Baker Mayfield with the No. 1 overall pick. Three picks later, cornerback Denzel Ward was taken at No. 4 overall. Mayfield played in 14 games and tossed 27 touchdowns, setting a new record for most touchdowns by a rookie quarterback.

Ward was named to his first Pro Bowl and the 2018 NFL All-Rookie Team. 

Dorsey also found value in the second round with running back Nick Chubb, who narrowly missed recording a 1,00-yard rookie campaign with 996 yards on the ground to go with 10 total touchdowns.

Though last year's free agency period wasn't nearly as glamorous, the Browns did sign then-Miami Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry to a five-year contract—a move that undoubtedly benefitted the franchise when landing Landry's best friend and former LSU teammate Beckham one year later.

Following a 7-8-1 2018—the most wins in a season for Cleveland since 2014—Dorsey continued to pad his roster with the aforementioned blockbuster Beckham trade but also through a trade for Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon and free-agent signing of defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. 

What has flown under the radar since these acquisitions, surprisingly, has been the controversial February signing of running back Kareem Hunt. The former Kansas City Chiefs back was cut on Nov. 30 after TMZ revealed a months-old video of Hunt kicking and shoving a woman in a hotel hallway. 

While still serving as Chiefs general manager, Dorsey drafted Hunt in the third round of the 2017 draft. Hunt will start 2019 serving an eight-game suspension. 

If signing Hunt to a one-year deal following a fallout of that magnitude doesn't signal that Dorsey is willing to win at all costs, it's unclear what does. 

As for the upcoming draft, Dorsey could just as likely be blowing smoke as seriously considering trading up into the first round. It is certainly not uncommon for franchises to publicly discuss potential moves in the weeks ahead of the draft. 

With that in mind, Dorsey's comments do hold a bit more weight because of his track record. 

As it stands, the Browns own eight picks throughout with their earliest selection not coming until No. 49 overall in the second round. From there, Cleveland picks in the third round (80), fourth round (119), fifth round (144, 155, 170), sixth round (189) and seventh round (221).