The Deshaun Watson and Myles Garrett developments over the last two months have made things fascinating for the Browns and could have massive ramifications for the NFL Draft. It seems unlikely Watson will play this year after re-injuring his Achilles during his rehab from surgery. Garrett, discouraged by the Browns' chances of winning, has demanded a trade to a competitor.
This has the makings of a full-on rebuild. But what kind of a rebuild?
The Browns are set to pick second this year. A quarterback certainly makes sense if they’re readying for a rebuild. But what if ownership and Andrew Berry prefer a true system reset? Put that second pick on the trade block, recoup as much draft capital as possible this year and next, and then combine that with what you get for Garrett. You’d create a treasure trove to infuse the team with talent.
No, you wouldn’t get a quarterback this year, but you’d have the assets to move up next year in what is believed to be a far superior class of passers … just don’t tell the Giants that.
Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll do not have the luxury of time that the Browns might afford Berry. The Giants need their quarterback now after a disastrous 3-14 season that saw them jettison Daniel Jones after the bye. They’ll be in front of all teams trying to go from No. 3 to 2 to ensure they get a player they believe can be their franchise signal caller.
And who will that be?
Let’s get to our second mock draft of the offseason...
No. 1: Tennessee Titans - QB Cam Ward, Miami
There is so much smoke linking Shedeur Sanders to the Giants that it’s hard not to believe there’s some fire there. Multiple scouts told SNY that there isn’t a significant prospect grade between him and Cam Ward to separate the two. "It’s really just what you prefer for your specific offense," one said.
I don’t think the Titans would pass on Sanders just because he prefers New York, but if Ward wants them, why draft someone who wants another if the grades are close? Send the Miami quarterback to Nashville.
No. 2: Giants (via trade with the Cleveland Browns) - QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
The real question here is how much it will cost the Giants to move up. The Browns would love if another team like the Raiders, Jets, or Saints gets involved in the bidding to drive up the price. The difference in value between the No. 3 and 2 picks, per OverTheCap’s chart, is roughly 206 points. That would mean the Giants giving up some picks in the sixth or seventh rounds.
That obviously isn’t going to happen. You overpay any time you’re making a move for a quarterback – especially when someone else wants to do the same. In 2017, the Bears went from No. 3 to No. 2 to select Mitchell Trubisky. It cost them third- and fourth-round picks in that draft, plus a third-round pick the next year. That’s probably what Schoen is looking at.
No. 3: Cleveland Browns (via trade with the Giants) - EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
Carter might very well be the best player in this draft. He was dynamic for Penn State this past season with 22 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks. The Browns might very well look to trade this pick, too, if the goal really is draft capital. Carter proves a worthy replacement for the potentially traded Garrett.
No. 4: New England Patriots - WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
I toyed with the idea of giving New England Travis Hunter here. Some I touched base with across the NFL believe Hunter is more of a gadget receiver and full-time corner. The Patriots need weapons for Drake Maye. McMillan is the best wideout in the draft. He steps in as New England’s No. 1 on Day 1.
No. 5: Jacksonville Jaguars - CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
Not a far drop for the Heisman Trophy Winner. I would love to see someone with his personality in a bigger market, but the Jaguars need him. That secondary was a disaster last year. He’ll be their lockdown corner and work in on offense for 15-20 snaps a game.
No. 6: Las Vegas Raiders - WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
This could be a sneaky spot for Jaxon Dart to go if his Senior Bowl hype extends to the combine and pro days. For now, though, give the Raiders a legit No. 1 receiver. Burden had a little bit of a down season, catching just 61 passes for 676 yards and six touchdowns. He was dynamic as a sophomore, though. That’s the player scouts believe he’ll be at NFL level. That season he caught 86 passes for 1,212 yards and nine scores.
No. 7: Jets - DT Mason Graham, Michigan
The Jets could go in so many different directions here. Offensive line, sure. They need a right tackle. They could also go receiver if they let Davante Adams and Allen Lazard go (Luther Burden III, Emeka Egbuka). They could also add a quarterback and have him sit and develop behind Tyrod Taylor for a season.
But, for this mock, give them Graham. Some scouts believe he’s the best defensive player in this draft. He had 45 tackles -- seven for a loss -- and 3.5 sacks this past season. He’d give the Jets quite a lot of talent up front when paired with Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, and Quinnen Williams.
No. 8: Carolina Panthers - EDGE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
It doesn’t look like the Panthers need a quarterback anymore after Bryce Young’s resurgence in the second half of the season. They could go safety or receiver here, too. Scourton is the pick, though. He had 15 sacks in his last two college seasons. The Panthers need someone who can get the quarterback.
No. 9: New Orleans Saints - RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
The Saints still have Alvin Kamara, but it’s unclear how many years he has left. Jeanty could give them a dynamic back to take some pressure off the quarterback. This is another spot I could see Dart going – especially if the Saints end up hiring Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to be their head coach and he wants a quarterback to work with.
No. 10: Chicago Bears - OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
The Bears have their franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams. They have two nice receivers in D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze. They have a talented tight end in Cole Kmet. They have running back D’Andre Swift under contract for two more years. What they do not have is an offensive line capable of allowing those playmakers to shine. Banks begins that. He’ll be a Day 1 starter for Chicago.
