The Browns new leadership made headlines last week for their blockbuster trade that sent Philadelphia the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft, giving Cleveland a boatload of picks for its rebuild. But there are three good reasons to believe that the Browns Executive VP of Football Operations Sashi Brown is just getting started.
Here are three key spots in the draft where the Browns may make news again:
Round 1 (Pick 8)
There have only been a few news conferences in the Sashi Brown era but one thing is becoming clear, he’s very precise with his wording. Here’s what he said last Thursday about the deal with the Eagles.
“We really like the eight slot. It’s one thing I would tell you was a particularly valuable piece of the deal for us. We think there’s still going to be really talented players at that spot.” Brown finished the thought, “So we liked that aspect of having Philly as a trade partner.”
Notice what Brown did not say. He didn’t say “we’re confident that we’ll get a really good player with the eighth pick.” It’s the ‘value’ of this pick that’s important. Brown also indicated the team would listen to offers. So who might be calling?
Tennessee, which traded the No. 1 pick in exchange for the 15th (among many others) is on record as looking to trade back up into the top 10. The Titans are believed to have their sights set on an offensive tackle. Mississippi’s Laremy Tunsil, Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley and Michigan State’s Jack Conklin are all top of the draft talents. If one gets chosen before the Browns are on the clock, look for Tennessee as a potential trade partner. Tennessee has plenty of picks after their trade with the Rams.
Chicago (11) and Miami (13) both reportedly have interest in Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott. You can imagine the screaming that would come from Cleveland if the Browns traded this pick and the Buckeye was chosen. Brown knows that too. That won’t stop him if the price is right.
>> RELATED: Seven things you didn't know about Browns draft history
Round 2 (Pick 32)
The Browns own the first pick in the second round and this could go two ways – trade up, or trade down.
Since the Browns trend is to trade down, let’s start there. The last pick of round one will be sometime around midnight (hopefully) Thursday. The first pick of round two will be just after 7 p.m. Friday. That gives teams 19 hours to fall in love with a player they absolutely must have. Look no further back than last year when the Titans received second-, fourth- and seventh-round picks from the Giants for moving back seven spots in the second round. The Browns might look for something similar – or a second this year, combined with picks in future drafts.
Unless…
The Browns get bit by the love bug themselves and decide someone they really, really want (perhaps a QB) is available late in the first round. In that case, this (and an additional pick or two) would be needed to go up and get their guy. Cue cheers from the Dawg Pound. Cue the snark about the last time the Browns traded up for a quarterback.
Round 4 (Picks 99 and 100)
When Saturday rolls around, guess who has the first two picks of the day? Yep. Another opportunity for love to pay off for the Browns. But in this case, they can share the love. Owning the first two picks in the fourth round, the Browns can pick a player they really want, and trade the other pick to a desperate suitor.
>> DATABASE: Search all 977 Browns draft picks
The Draft Board is Set
Monday night, Brown said the team’s draft board is set and indicated there is a player they’re looking for at No. 8.
"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," Brown was quoted saying on the team's website clevelandbrowns.com. "These last couple of days for us are really about testing ourselves 'if so and so calls,' or 'if this player is no longer available' and making sure that we have a good understanding of how we'll react, how we think about it."
The homework is done and the real test is about to begin. How the Browns evaluate these trade opportunities will go a long way toward determining their final grade.