While fans are still trying to get their heads around the fact that their Browns have eschewed the chance to get a top-rated quarterback by trading their No. 2 overall pick in Thursday night’s NFL Draft to the Philadelphia Eagles, they need to brace themselves.
Another move down – even more precipitous this time — could be on the way.
That’s according to former Browns general manager Phil Savage.
After correctly predicting that his old club would trade down from No. 2, he now says the Browns, who moved six spots to the No. 8 overall selection, may be involved in another bail-out deal. This time, he said on an ESPN Radio show Saturday morning, the Browns could be a suitor for the Tennessee Titans, who are looking to get back up into the top 10 after trading out of the No. 1 overall pick with the Los Angeles Rams. The Titans now have the No. 15 choice, which means that if the Browns deal with them, they would be moving back seven more spots.
Two trades, going back a combined 13 places from No. 2 to No. 15?
Yikes!
How would that grab you?
How would you feel if the Browns, who were originally behind only the Titans and then the Rams at the top of the draft, were picking in the middle of the draft order between the Oakland Raiders, who are at No. 14, and the Detroit Lions (No. 16)?
If the analytics indicate that it would be a good move, then you can rest assured that the Browns would make the deal. That’s the way analytics work.
Actually, if the Titans are that interested in moving up, they have no doubt spoken with Cleveland Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown already.
Savage mentioned the New York Giants, who are at No. 10 overall, as plan B trade partners for the Titans.
Both Brown and head coach Hue Jackson expressed their delight in the Browns being able to collect a bunch of extra picks in the trade with the Eagles, so it only makes sense that they would like to accrue even more.
The way the Browns are looking at it is that they have a lot of needs, and the more top-echelon draft picks they get, the more of those needs they can attempt to fill.
And as for getting that young, talented quarterback, Jackson is confident he can find him somewhere other than at the top of the draft.
So, Browns fans, don’t spend too much time trying to figure out what your team will do at No, 8, because it may soon become a moot point.