NFL Draft Smokescreen Rumor-a-Thon: Browns Reportedly Trying to Trade Up to Get Marcus Mariota

Here’s your first big rumor of the day, passed on to Pat McManamon, ESPN’s Cleveland writer: the Browns are offering two first round picks (they have #12 and #19) to move to the #2 pick to take Marcus Mariota. McManamon, by the way, is the same writer that predicted a historically awful offense for Cleveland without a quarterback.

I would ordinarily dismiss this out of hand, but it’s quite possible that Jimmy Haslam went for a walk in the streets of Cleveland today, and talked to a homeless person who convinced him that he now needs Marcus Mariota.

I’ll say this, Mariota is pretty much the polar opposite of Johnny Manziel as far as persona. He was even one of the few early prospects not to have an Instagram page, which should fit in well in Cleveland since I’m not sure the organization has internet access. You won’t find Mariota flashing money signs in a Vegas bathroom.

I’d do an in-depth accounting of every draft trade made by Cleveland for a quarterback, but I don’t even have the heart for it.