Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns Should Make A Deal
A report surfaced that the Cleveland Browns are willing to trade their two first round picks for a chance to draft quarterback
Marcus Mariota. If true, the Chicago Bears should jump on it and play “Let’s Make A Deal: with the Browns.
Chicago Bears
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that the Cleveland Browns, who have not had a franchise quarterback since before the last millennium, are willing to part ways with their two first round picks for a chance to draft Marcus Mariota.
The Browns thought they had something special last year when they drafted Johnny Manziel, but he lost the starting battle to Brian Hoyer, and when he finally got his chance he struggled. His partying got too much as well, and he needed to enter rehab.
Give Cleveland some credit. They are coming back to try a year after missing out big. They could have had, say, Teddy Bridgewater, but they are not going to give up right away.
Some draft analysts have Mariota available to the Bears at seven. There are some who even see the Bears draft him.
I am not among those who see Mariota in a Bears uniform.
If Mariota is there at seven, the Bears should play “Let’s Make A Deal” with the Browns.
Yes, the Bears and their fans should be concerned about their quarterback, but I do not see Mariota as a replacement, and there are other quarterbacks later in the draft who fit better to the pro system.
Also, the Bears have plenty of holes to fill and they have just six picks. General manager Ryan Pace talks about building a team through the draft, and trading their seven for a chance at two first rounders is a good move.
Moreover, last year the Buffalo Bills traded their first round pick for this year AND a fourth round pick to the Browns to move up and get wide receiver Sammy Watkins. That means the Bears could get another pick in a possible deal.
That would give the Bears a possibility of having SIX picks in the first four rounds. With those picks, they can pick up wide receiver Devante Parker of Louisville and either Texas’ Malcom Brown or maybe even Danny Shelton out of Washington. With two fourth round picks, the Bears can use one of them on a quarterback, perhaps Bryce Petty of Baylor or Brett Hundley of UCLA.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reportedly done their due diligence and are on board with drafting Jameis Winston, so Mariota will be the hot prospect in terms of where he will go. The Tennessee Titans at two might go after Mariota, but some say they feel comfortable with Zach Mettenberger. Washington sent out word they might be interested in Mariota, but many feel that is only because they want to deal. The New York Jets are reportedly not that interested in Mariota, so that leaves… the BEARS at seven.
If Pace is serious about building through the draft, then he needs to pull the trigger on a deal with the Browns if the opportunity presents itself. Adding picks early on will give the Bears a better chance to rebound quickly from last season’s debacle.
As I said, some say the Bears are interested in Marcus Mariota helping them. If by helping them means bringing in treasured draft picks, then I would love Mariota.
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