Not even 24 hours after No.16 seed University of Maryland Baltimore County destroyed brackets everywhere in upsetting the top overall seed Virginia Cavaliers, the New York Jets decided to top that in making an even bigger move to the top in the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft.
With the East Coast already bracing for another Nor’easter, the Jets created their own proverbial geostorm in trading the No.6, 37th and 49th overall picks in the 2018 NFL Draft and a second rounder in 2019 to move up to No.3. Despite re-signing Josh McCown to a one-year $10 million deal and former Minnesota Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater to a one-year five million deal, based on this move, the 5-11 Jets appear to be targeting a QB.
The question is, which one?
The bigger question now is how does this effect the Cleveland Browns draft plans at No.1
Armed with both the top overall and fourth overall picks, the Browns—presumably—have no choice but to take a quarterback at No.1 and will likely have their pick of the best position player at No.4 between former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley—if the Giants don’t grab him first—former North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb or former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.
What Cleveland could also do is trade the fourth overall pick to a bevy of QB-needy teams such as the Denver Broncos—whom recently signed free agent Case Keenum—or what has been the really hot rumor in NFL rumor circles—and flip it to the Buffalo Bills—who just recently traded Tyrod Taylor to the Browns, and signed former Cincinnati Bengals backup in AJ McCarron—for their 12th and 22nd picks in addition to additional picks to really load up on positions of need.
For the first time in recent memory, the Browns are in a prime position to take a franchise QB without having to trade up or down—AND grab another impact skill player—Based on John Dorsey’s aggressive, no-nonsense approach so far in free agency in acquiring the aforementioned Taylor, RB Carlos Hyde, offensive linemen in Chris Hubbard and Donald Stephenson and Pro Bowl WR Jarvis Landry on offense and defensive players such as DL Chris Smith, DB’s in Damarious Randall, T.J. Carrie and Terrance Mitchell, Cleveland sits in pole position in being able to make luxury picks at both the best player available and in positions of need.
Does this mean QB at No.1, very possible. Does this mean Barkley, Chubb or Fitzpatrick at No.4 or does it mean a shocking move such as former Notre Dame OG Quentin Nelson at No.4 as the heir apparent to the recently-retired future Hall of Famer in Joe Thomas?
Who knows, but one thing is for certain, things were already hot in “The Land” thanks to their moves in free agency, but now—like the uber-popular Betty White sitcom, things are getting hot in Cleveland.
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