The Browns control their destiny at the top of the 2018 NFL Draft, but it's a different story for everyone else who picks after No. 1.
That's why Saturday's trade between the Jets and Colts matters in a big way for Cleveland, which also holds the No. 4 pick thanks to last year's trade with the Houston Texans.
The Jets parted with their own first-rounder and three second-round picks to move up three spots from No. 6 to No. 3. The Colts, in theory, aren't interested in a first-round quarterback while the Jets, in theory, are very much in the market for one.
A scenario exists where the Browns, if they opt for a quarterback with the first overall pick, could select the top quarterback and top non-quarterback in this year's draft. That's exactly what a handful of prognosticators see unfolding.
Who the Browns take with those picks remains a wide-ranging debate.
- QB Sam Darnold (USC)
- DE Bradley Chubb (NC State)
Of note: Kelly sees three quarterbacks coming off the board before the Browns are on the clock at No. 4. He views Chubb as a player that would give Cleveland one of the NFL's best young defensive lines.
- QB Josh Allen (Wyoming)
- Chubb
Of note: White believes Cleveland's trade for Tyrod Taylor would allow Allen, who is loaded with talent and upside, to grow and develop from the sidelines in 2018.
- Darnold
- RB Saquon Barkley (Penn State)
Of note: In this scenario, Barkley would be the second non-quarterback off the board, as Brooks projects the Giants, who sit at No. 2, to select Notre Dame OG Quenton Nelson.
- Allen
- DB Denzel Ward (Ohio State)
Of note: Trapasso's mock features a projected trade between the Browns and Cardinals, who hold the No. 15 pick in the first round. Along with swapping first-rounders, Cleveland would receive a second- and third-round pick in Trapasso's projected deal.
- Darnold
- Barkley
Of note: This mock projects a trade between the Bills and Giants, allowing Buffalo to take the second quarterback off the board at No. 2. Barkley would "finalize" Cleveland's offense, according to Yahoo!
- Darnold
- Ward
Of note: Middlehurst-Schwartz, who projects Barkley to land with the Giants at No. 2, considers outside cornerback to be Cleveland's top need, and Ward would be the best to fill it.
- Allen
- Barkley
Of note: Cherepinsky compares Barkley to Hall of Fame RB Marshall Faulk and believes Allen is the best fit for a Todd Haley offense.
- Darnold
- Barkley
Of note: Reuter expects the QB order to go Darnold, Josh Rosen and Allen before Cleveland lands whom he considers to be the "top player in the draft."
