Browns Rumors From The NFL Combine: McCarron, Garoppolo, Trubisky, Kizer, Watson
Browns rumors have dominated the NFL combine as everyone takes their best guess as to how Cleveland will fix their QB position.
How available is Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo? On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Bill Belichick wasn’t interested the former second-round pick. But now? Garoppolo’s apparently available, if the Patriots hear an offer they like, via Cleveland.com.
"“Everything is still on the table,” a league source told Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot."
Elsewhere in the backup QB market, the Bengals reportedly want a second-round pick for Bengals quarterback A.J. McCarron according to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.
Cabot painted a picture of McCarron being the third choice of the Browns of the quarterbacks who are/could be available.
"If the Browns can’t land Garoppolo, they’ll see if Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor becomes a free agent on March 11. If those two options fall through, they’ll likely make an offer for Bengals backup AJ McCarron, who wants to be traded and would love to be reunited with Hue Jackson, who coached him in Cincinnati."
Bengals owner Mike Brown is notorious for not trading within his division, or with the Browns, the franchise that fired his legendary father. But Cincinnati’s top personnel man, Duke Tobin, stated otherwise, if the price is right, of course, via Cleveland.com.
"“It’s not ideal to trade guys within your division, particularly at that position. But we listen and if something comes up we’ll certainly announce it to all you guys.”"
If those backups don’t wet your appetite, perhaps Tyrod Taylor will. The Buffalo News’ Vic Carrucci wrote that the Browns are one of three teams interested in the quarterback. Carrucci noted the 49ers and Jets are the other two teams interested.
And then there’s the rookies, you know, the whole reason everyone gathers in Indianapolis to watch the college’s greatest signal callers compete against scales, stopwatches, and invisible defensive backs.
Deshaun Watson, measured in at 6-2 and at the very least, impressed former Browns and Patriots peronnsel exec and media personality Mike Lombardi.
Deshaun Watson is impressing every team with his knowledge of the offense his understanding of coverages and personnel and leadership skills
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) March 3, 2017
Browns coach Hue Jackson is said to like Watson, who measured in at 6-2 1/2 and 221 pounds during the measurement portion of the Show.
And then there’s Mitch Trubisky, who wasn’t as tall as UNC says he is, but not as short as some rumor mills were speculating. The northeast Ohio native measured in at 6-2 1/8.
Cleveland.com’s May Kay Cabot, who spend the first day of the combine crushing the rumor mill, cited “league sources” who stated Trubisky is in play for the Browns at No. 1.
"One top NFL personnel executive told cleveland.com Thursday that he’d definitely take Trubisky No. 1 now that he measured over 6-1. “He’s got size,he can move, he sees the field, has a big arm and more upside than Carson Wentz last year. They’d be set,” he said."
If you read the Factory of Sadness regularly, you know Trubisky is my favorite college quarterback. Unless the Browns intelligence says otherwise, and Trubisky won’t be around at No. 12, I want him at one. Cleveland must get their quarterback and move forward. As the source told Cabot, the Browns would be set at the position with Trubisky on board.
Last but not least, there’s DeShone Kizer, who measured up at 6-4.
He’s the prospect who’s name is least connected to the Browns. Maybe that means something in this silly season of rumors and misdirection.
New 49ers GM John Lynch interviewed Kizer and was reportedly blown away in the short amount time he spent with the Toldeo, Ohio native, via ESPN Cleveland.
"On Thursday, new 49ers GM John Lynch said that Kizer “blew the doors off [his 15-minute interview session]. He’s an impressive young man.”"
Jackson reportedly wants to get into why Notre Dame suffered a 4-8 record under Kizer’s guidance, via Ohio.com
"“We’ll definitely dig into that and understand why [Notre Dame went 4-8],” Jackson said. “I try to just look at the player, what he’s able to do, where he is. Those things are also things that you’ve got to know and understand about the player because he’s very talented, and you’d like to know why that happened.”"
Browns fans have been waiting since Week 2 to find their next quarterback, and Thursday at the combine didn’t disappoint.
Stay tuned for more rumors.