Could new Browns GM Andrew Berry decide to trade out of his initial first-round pick? If Berry does want to move out of the No. 10 spot, he could find some takers interested in moving up in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Here are a few candidates for Berry to make a deal with in this Thursday’s first round.
Denver Broncos
This rumor has the most smoke. Spread in part from former Browns GM Michael Lombardi on a podcast and popularly disseminated by many in the Denver media, there is strong speculation the Broncos want to move up to select the wide receiver of their choosing.
Cleveland at No. 10 makes a lot of sense as a partner. Two WR-needy teams, the Jets and Raiders, pick right after the Browns. Denver holds three third-round picks, which gives them ample resources to move up if they choose.
Atlanta Falcons
A report on Monday from ESPN’s Chris Mortensen indicated the Falcons are in the market to move up from their current slot at No. 16 overall. Based on the report, the 10th pick might not be high enough for Atlanta’s desires, but the Browns should at least be involved in the conversation.
The Falcons have a history of making big moves on draft weekends, and that includes a deal with the Browns back in 2011. Falcons fans celebrate it as the Julio Jones deal. Browns fans don’t like to remember anything about it, and rightly so.
Miami Dolphins
Miami has three 1st-round picks. The first one comes at No. 5, but the next two are at 18 and 26 overall. Those two picks for the No. 10 pick would probably get a deal done for the Dolphins and the Browns.
The question would be, who would Miami move up to select? If they don’t take a quarterback with their first pick, packaging the two later firsts to secure their choice amongst the remaining QBs. Or they could be motivated to fix their own drastic hole at left tackle, a malady Miami shares with Cleveland.
Minnesota Vikings
Like Miami, Minnesota holds two first-round picks. Packaging those two selections, No. 22 and 25 overall, might be enticing enough for the Browns to slide way back.
The Vikings have a pressing issue at cornerback and also at wide receiver. If they want a more premium upgrade, contacting their old offensive coordinator, new Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, to see if the Browns will bite. Minnesota also has a very good safety — still a big need for Cleveland — in Anthony Harris who could be on the block if the team doesn’t think it can sign him long-term.
New England Patriots
The Patriots sit at No. 23 overall and do not have a second-round pick or a fourth-rounder, so if the Browns do make a move with New England, it’s going to require some delayed gratification. But there are whispers the Patriots could be a team interested in moving up to land a better quarterback prospect than they can get a shot at with the 23rd pick.
Or the Patriots could be interested in moving up for a wild card player nobody knows about. In their post-Brady world, anything is a possibility for Bill Belichick’s team in their quest to remain one of the NFL’s best.