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Rumor: Browns know who they are taking with top pick in 2017 NFL Draft

By Thomas Moore

Jan 13, 2016; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns new head coach Hue Jackson (left) and Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown talk during a press conference at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2016; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns new head coach Hue Jackson (left) and Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown talk during a press conference at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Browns will open the 2017 NFL Draft on Thursday night and they have reportedly decided on which player they will select at No. 1.

The Cleveland Browns reportedly know who they will select with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Everyone else will just have to wait until around 8:10 p.m. on Thursday to find out just who it is.

According to NFL Network’s Michael Silver, executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown and the rest of the Browns decision makers reached a consensus  a couple of weeks ago and only a small handful of people know who’s name will be written on the draft card tomorrow night in Philadelphia.

Related: Roundup of Browns draft profiles

That name is widely expected to be Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett, who has been the consensus No. 1 selection for weeks.

That hasn’t stopped numerous reports to swirl around the Browns claiming that the draft process is rife with dysfunction, that owner Jimmy Haslam will exert his will and overrule everyone in his lust to draft a quarterback, and that the Browns basically have no clue what is happening unless it appears on a spreadsheet.

Related: Browns draft profile: Myles Garrett

Now that could all still be true, of course, when it comes to Cleveland’s second first-round pick – currently sitting at No. 12 – but it does not seem to be the case for the first overall selection.

Even though the clear pick at No. 1 is Garrett, that hasn’t stopped analysts from criticizing him, most notably citing Garrett’s lack of “consistent effort.”

Most of those concerns can be brushed away, however, when you realize that Garrett still managed to average 10.3 sacks and 15.7 tackles for loss during his three seasons at Texas A&M. He also finished his collegiate career with 31 sacks, which is the second most among SEC players during the past 10 years.

Next: PFF mock draft a good one for Browns

The 2017 NFL Draft will take place Thursday through Saturday in Philadelphia. The Cleveland Browns hold 11 total picks, including the No. 1 overall selection and five of the first 65 selections in the draft.

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