Well, NFL Draft talk sure took an interesting twist this morning, didn’t it? For the second time in four years, the Los Angeles Rams were involved in a mammoth draft trade. This time, though, they were the ones paying a huge price.
L.A. traded up to the top overall pick, giving the Tennessee Titans a plethora of selections in return. It was definitely a major shakeup, one which should affect the plans of many other teams leading up to draft day.
One of these teams is no doubt the Cleveland Browns. Sitting at No. 2 overall, there’s no way Los Angeles’ move hasn’t resonated in Cleveland. However, whether or not the trade was received positively by the Browns has yet to be determined. At the end of the day, how this deal affects Cleveland all depends on just what it had planned.
Early rumors seemed to have the Rams targeting North Dakota State star QB Carson Wentz with their newly acquired top pick. However, there is also plenty of belief L.A. instead wants California quarterback Jared Goff.
One thing is for sure – it’s tough to believe the Rams don’t know who they’re taking. You don’t give up a haul like that without knowing the target. L.A. knows who it wants, and it’s going to be a quarterback.
So, with the Browns in desperate need for a QB as well, there’s a good chance the Rams end up taking the one they wanted. Or, Los Angeles could end up coveting someone Cleveland determined was its second-favorite.
It’s important to note that, if the Browns stay at No. 2 and L.A. takes a QB first, there are positives to this.
One of the top quarterbacks will be off the board. If anything, this eases the pressure on Cleveland. If Goff is gone, take Wentz. If Wentz is gone, take Goff. There’s strong belief the Browns like both. If this is the case, the Rams might’ve made the decision easier.
Considering that scenario, it’s not so far-fetched to wonder if the Rams’ trade was a result of a Cleveland smokescreen.
As mentioned yesterday, the Browns have been setting up deceptive rumors left and right. Perhaps the Rams, fearing Cleveland wanted their guy, panicked and threw Tennessee a king’s ransom. If this is the case, the Browns probably loved this morning’s news.
Another reason they might would be if their plan has always been to trade out of their pick.
Cleveland has received interest in the No. 2 selection. If the Browns still want to trade out, the price just skyrocketed. The bounty L.A. just paid has set the market for trading up, and if Cleveland wanted out of its spot, it could now get an impressive haul as well.
So, anyone who believes the Rams just threw a big wrench in the Browns’ draft plans might be overreacting. As mentioned above, there are many scenarios in which L.A. actually helped Cleveland. We’ll find out if this is actually the case in just a couple weeks.
