With a plethora of picks in this year's draft, the Cleveland Browns could take a major step forward in what figures to be an intense rebuilding process.
However, part of that process may include shipping off some of those picks to land one of the biggest names of the offseason.
According to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns have a "dream scenario" that includes taking Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett with the No. 1 pick, and then using the No. 12 pick in a package to land Patriots backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
According to Cabot, the Browns may have a limit on what they'd give up for Garoppolo.
"Despite a report by ESPN that the Patriots won't trade Jimmy Garoppolo, I'm told that nothing has changed and that teams — including the Browns — will still try to land him.
"One source told me he believes it might take as much as a No. 1 this year and No. 1 next year — which I'm sure the Browns won't be willing to do.
"But if New England will accept their No. 12 overall pick and maybe another later selection, I think the Browns would strongly consider that."
As Cabot mentions, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Patriots don't have plans to trade Garoppolo, who has been the subject of trade rumors for several months. Garoppolo will be a free agent in 2018.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo also reported on Tuesday that the asking price for Garoppolo may be two first-round picks, perhaps one this year and one next year. That price may be a bit high for the Browns, but as Cabot notes, they have an early first-round pick this season, plus a haul of later-round picks. Cabot reports that she doesn't believe the Browns would trade the No. 1 pick for Garoppolo.
According to Cabot, the Browns may not be interested in drafting one of the quarterbacks in this year's draft because they don't feel they have time to develop them. After a one-win season in 2016, there's pressure on the Browns to begin a turnaround.
While there may be pressure on the Patriots to get something in return for Garoppolo with his free agency one year away, the situation isn't dire just yet. As Garafolo notes, the Patriots could use the franchise tag on Garoppolo next year and then deal him.
Still, despite reports that the Patriots aren't interested in trading Garoppolo, it sounds like teams will still pursue him, and in the Browns' case, may pursue him hard.
