So, let me get this straight: after all of the trade rumors had finally quieted down regarding the Cleveland Browns, they are now back in full swing?
While I still have significant doubts on these rumors, here is what the latest rumors are saying with respect to WR Braylon Edwards and QB Brady Quinn:
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Braylon Edwards: Yahoo Sports and the NY Daily News are indicating that the New York Giants are expected to land the talented receiver. Several weeks ago, the OBR reported that the Giants and Browns both made offers to each other, but that negotiations stalled.
Now, those negotiations have perked up again, to the point where Edwards could be dealt prior to the draft. If that was the case, I'd see no other option for the Browns than to select WR Michael Crabtree at No. 5 overall. The problem with that, of course, is that the Browns should be focusing on the linebacker position. At some point, they'd also need to then address the No. 2 receiver position.
Granted, gaining additional draft picks for Edwards creates more opportunities to replace players. The rumors indicate that an unidentified team, presumably the Giants, would now be open to dealing their first-round draft choice to the Browns in exchange for Edwards. - Brady Quinn: Like the Edwards deal, the National Football Post reports that a team also has a first-round pick on the table for Quinn. Considering the San Francisco 49ers are not pleased with their QB situation, they are labeled as a potential suitor.
So, at the end of the day, how would you like the Browns to have three first-round draft picks? Quite frankly, I hate the idea.
We would be looking at Derek Anderson as our starting quarterback. Not that I am against him, but he needs big targets to succeed. His production faded last year without Joe Jurevicius. We could draft a quarterback, but if that were the case, why would we have swapped out Quinn only to draft another one?
Likewise, what do we get by dumping Edwards? We would need to replace him with another wide receiver early on, which would almost negate the pick with the special asterisk that the selected player could end up being a bust.