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Does the rumored Browns-Jets draft trade hold water?

By Thomas Moore

Nov 10, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) is sacked for a loss by Duke Blue Devils linebacker Ben Humphreys (34) in the first half of their game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) is sacked for a loss by Duke Blue Devils linebacker Ben Humphreys (34) in the first half of their game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Browns are rumored to be talking with the New York Jets on a draft-day trade. But does the proposed deal sound plausible?

The 2017 NFL Draft is still a week away, which means that trade rumors will continue to heat up over the next seven days, especially since the Cleveland Browns refuse to play along and simply tell everyone their draft plans.

Conveniently, one of the more interesting rumors dropped on Wednesday right in the middle of Sashi Brown and Andrew Berry’s pre-draft press conference as Charlie Campbell at WalterFootball.com reported that the Browns and New York Jets are exploring a trade that would shake up the first round of the draft:

"WalterFootball.com has learned from sources that the Browns and Jets are talking about a trade that would have the Browns moving up from the 12th pick to the Jets’ selection at No. 6 in order to take a quarterback. Cleveland is said to want North Carolina quarterback Mitchell Trubisky."

"In order to move down, the Jets want the 33rd-overall pick (second round) and the selection at No. 108 (fourth round). Cleveland is trying to trade its second-round pick, No. 52 overall, and the first selection in the fifth round, No. 145. With the sixth pick, the Browns are believed to want Trubisky. Cleveland is concerned that the Jets or the Bills (at pick 10) would take Trubisky before Cleveland is on the clock at 12."

"Even if Trubisky goes off the board earlier to the 49ers (2) or the Bears (3), the Browns may want to do the trade in order to land Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson before Buffalo is on the clock."

The fact that the Browns are looking at all their options is encouraging. It also aligns with Brown’s comments on Wednesday that the club plans for numerous scenarios for draft weekend and is following which players other teams are interested in.

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As for the mechanics of the trade, it is a bit harder to gauge why the Jets would swing the deal as they need a quarterback just as much as the Browns do. The Jets have also reportedly held private workouts with all four of the top quarterback prospects – Trubisky, Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer and Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes, but are reportedly “tantalized” by Trubisky.

So if the Jets want Trubisky, and Trubisky is available at No. 6, why would they trade out of that spot so the Browns can draft Trubisky?

That’s not to say the rumored trade does not have its merits. New York general manager Mike Maccagnan has said he would like to move out of the No. 6 slot, so if there is a player available that the Browns want when the Jets are on the clock, there could be a trade match available.

It is also very possible that the Jets have their heart set on a certain player, and if that player is gone they want to know what their options are for a trade partner.

As for the rumored compensation, the idea of the Browns giving up selections No. 52 and No. 145 is more palatable than sending No. 33 and No. 108 to New York. But to parrot a phrase that has been uttered far too much in the past few months, if there is a player the Browns want at No. 6 they should “do whatever it takes” to get him.

Of course, that philosophy may not coincide with what Cleveland has planned for the draft, according to Brown:

"“Generally, we value picks. We have said the draft is going to be the pipeline. We don’t want to get into a habit of turning two picks into one, so to speak. We just don’t think that is a good way to do business over time. We have studied this around the league, and it is just our inclination. It does not mean that if there is a player there we might not go take a shot. We think we are positioned to be able to do that without impacting our draft much.”"

For now any potential trade would not occur until draft night, but this is one rumor that is worth remembering when the Jets go on the clock next week during the first round of the draft.

Next: Browns draft profile: Jamal Adams

Which should make an already fun night that much more intriguing for Browns fans.

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