The number one pick is staying in Cleveland.
At the NFL Annual Owners Meeting, Hue Jackson told reporters that the Browns will not trade their top pick for a quarterback.
“No. I can tell you no on that one,’’ he said
It has been widely speculated that Cleveland has sought after New England heir apparent Jimmy Garroppolo to be their franchise quarterback.
“You guys know I can’t speak about that,” Jackson said in regards to the Patriots quarterback. “We’re going to do anything and everything we think we can but I can’t comment other teams’ players at this point.”
Implications
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Patriots do not plan to trade their young quarterback. Garoppolo, drafted in 2014, enters the final year of his rookie deal.
If the Patriots do decide to auction of the passer, no team can match Cleveland’s ammunition. They hold the 1st and 12th pick of the first round as well as the 33rd and 52nd pick in the second round.
In a weak quarterback class, many believe that Cleveland will hold off on selecting a quarterback until later. The odds-on favorite to be picked first is Myles Garrett, an edge rusher in the mold of Julius Peppers.
In six quarters of action this season, Garoppolo displayed excellent poise, a sharp release, and outstanding mental quickness. He threw for 690 yards and 5 touchdowns with no interceptions while leading the Patriots to a 2-0 record.
“Until we have the guy that we feel comfortable with that will be the face of our franchise, and play QB the way we want them to play, we’re going to keep searching,” said Jackson. “There’s the draft that’s coming up. There’s trade opportunities hopefully. We’ll exhaust every opportunity.”