Fans, pundits, and experts have reached a consensus that the Browns have a desperate need at left tackle. The latest intel indicates, however, that GM Andrew Berry may be fixing to play with fire come draft day.
It has become a familiar refrain in a variety of mock drafts for the Browns to be linked to an offensive tackle at some point in the first round, with Georgia's Monroe Freeling being a popular choice. EssentiallySports' draft connoisseur Tony Pauline has been all over the Browns' interest in the Utah Utes' offensive tackle Spencer Fano over the last two weeks.
In his latest report, he doubled down on the Browns' interest while introducing a new wrinkle to the entire saga.
"With the top of the NFL Draft board dominated by quarterback talk, league sources indicate the Cleveland Browns are quietly open for business, potentially trading down to target a foundational offensive tackle," Pauline said. "But taking Fano with the sixth pick may be a bit rich for the Browns. ... Multiple sources have told me that Cleveland is open to moving down a few slots and will entertain trade offers, then consider selecting Fano. Yet they can’t move down too far, as the Kansas City Chiefs are also very high on Fano, who they would keep at right tackle to fill a major hole on that side of the line."
The whole charade begs the question we should be asking ourselves: Is it worth it?
The Browns' purported interest in Fano should mean one thing: That if he's there at No. 6, they should snag him and have a player they see as a left tackle for the next decade-plus. Fans may be rightfully concerned that Berry — a GM whose list of gaffes is far longer than his successes — is interested in a player most see as a right tackle. Can't argue with you there.
While fully acknowledging that the choice to go out on a limb for the captain of a sinking ship may cause you to question my sanity, perhaps there's a more nuanced takeaway to be gleaned from Pauline's report, one that fans can get behind.
Andrew Berry’s actions may reveal how he really feels about this OT class
If Andrew Berry wasn't all that impressed with the available options at the offensive tackle position, particularly at a premium selection like No. 6 overall, wouldn't he do exactly what he's doing now? He's essentially putting the pick on the market, indicating he's willing to listen to offers for it. That doesn't coincide with the idea that he loves Spencer Fano, though I am far from questioning Pauline's reporting.
What it could mean is that he likes Fano, but he'd like an extra first-rounder next year and an extra Day 2 pick this year a little bit more. Look at it this way. If Cam Ward fell to No. 2 in last year's draft, would the Browns have been willing to entertain offers for the pick? If Fernando Mendoza inconceivably falls to No. 6 this year — to the shock of the country, save for Dan Orlovsky — would the Browns entertain offers then?
The likelihood is that they'd turn in the draft card with the quickness of Quinshon Judkins hitting a wide-open A-gap, and the subsequent cheering from the draft room would be heard before the phone is off the hook. That's what any sane organization would do when the player they've tabbed as their guy is available for the taking.
So keep this in mind as the rest of the pre-draft process plays out. Andrew Berry is not Ebenezer Scrooge, eager to pinch every last "penny" out of the No. 6 overall pick. In this case, he's Bruce Wayne, moving with a disciplined approach and the kind of savvy each fan wants their team to utilize.
It remains to be seen if Andrew Berry can be Cleveland's superhero, but the payoff from this move would go a long way toward answering the question.