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UPDATE: The Browns have completed the trade with the Eagles! See here for details.
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As we said the other day, the trade-down rumors for the Cleveland Browns are really starting to heat up. We're at the point now where I'd be more surprised if the Browns stayed at No. 2 overall than if they traded down. Now, we're hearing about the possible framework of compensation that might be needed to get a deal done, per Alex Marvez of FOX Sports:
IF @Eagles & @Browns make deal for No. 2 overall pick, I'm told compensation includes 1st- & 3rd-rnd picks in 2016/17 @SiriusXMNFL @NFLonFOX
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) April 19, 2016
If that scenario played out, the Browns could receive the Eagles' 1st-round pick (No. 8 overall) and two 3rd-round picks (No. 77 and No. 79 overall) in, and their 1st- and 3rd-round picks in 2017. That is a trade I would do in a heartbeat.
If we assume that quarterbacks would be taken with the first two picks, then the No. 8 overall pick is still on the border of being able to add a top-level talent to the Browns. For example, at least two of these players, and probably more, would still be available at No. 8 overall: DB Jalen Ramsey, DE Joey Bosa, OT Laremy Tunsil, OLB Myles Jack, DE DeForest Buckner, RB Ezekiel Elliott, WR Laquon Treadwell, CB Vernon Hargreaves.
This morning, ESPN's Adam Schefter was a guest on 97.5 The Fanatic, a radio station in Pennsylvania. He commented that he thought the compensation would be less than what Marvez reported -- maybe just the two 1st-round picks and one 3rd-round pick overall. Schefter said that if it were up to the Eagles, they would make the trade today, but he gets the sense that Cleveland is going to be patient and play all their cards:
"If it were up the Eagles today the deal would be done, but Cleveland is taking their time & being methodical, maybe another team ponies up"
— 975 Mornings (@975Mornings) April 20, 2016
"My understanding is the Browns really like Goff, maybe Rams flip flop and take Wentz last minute, Browns might wait" - @AdamSchefter
— 975 Mornings (@975Mornings) April 20, 2016
"Comes down to how bad does Philly really want this. Cleveland is banking on them improving the package, it’s not going down, only up" A.S.
— 975 Mornings (@975Mornings) April 20, 2016
As always, we'll continue to follow the draft rumors as they come along.