Cleveland Browns: Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley top picks says GM’s friend
Around the Cleveland Browns rumor mill, Wyoming’s Josh Allen and Penn State’s Saquon Barkley are likely to be the top picks, believes an interesting source.
The Cleveland Browns rumor mill promises to work overtime leading up to the NFL Draft, and rumblings are sure to get extra attention when The MMQB’s Peter King takes note.
In his latest column, King wrote what GM John Dosrsey’s friend believes–that the Browns will select Josh Allen and Saquon Barkley with the first and fourth picks.
This would be a change from a strong rumor that emerged toward the end of March, which had Darnold as the pick.
King’s source was named as an “FOD,” or Friend of John Dorsey.
Among the nuggets this friend provided, was that Dorsey would draft Allen and Barkley, while not trading down.
King wrote:
"“FOD (Friend of Dorsey) thinks Browns will go Allen-Saquon at 1 and 4. What would an April MMQB be without another draft rumor?! This friend of Cleveland GM John Dorsey believes he’ll go Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen over Sam Darnold with the first overall pick, keep the fourth pick, and take Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. ‘I would be surprised if he traded down,” FOD told me. “This would be his chance to take his two offensive cornerstones for the next eight or 10 years.’"
Perhaps all of us are overthinking what Dorsey may do when it comes to the quarterback position, when the answer may have been tipped last spring.
Dorsey along with heavy influence of Chiefs coach Andy Reid, moved up to the 10th position to pick Patrick Mahomes, a player with tons of upside, in addition to the best raw traits in the draft.
Darnold is thought to have the most upside among the 2018 class, but there’s certainly a case to be made for Allen, who has the best arm of any of the prospects vying for the No. 1 pick.
If Dorsey is of the belief that the No. 1 pick won’t play at all in 2018, why not take the guy with the million dollar arm?
Barkley’s selection at No. 4 would do a lot to placate the fan base, and there’s no denying his addition would give the Browns instant credibility on offense.
For as good as the Dawg Pound thinks Josh Gordon can be, he still has a lot to prove on the comeback trail.
But buying Allen at No. 1 is a lot easier to believe than Barkley at No. 4 because the Browns actions indicate that a running back-by-committee will be the director the franchise heads after the acquisition of Carlos Hyde.
Hyde is basically Isaiah Crowell, while Duke Johnson is the team’s backfield threat. Cleveland’s expected to take another runner from the next tier of backs, which gives the team plenty of ammunition.
Next: Allen, Big Ben comparison doesn't add up
How do you feel about King’s rumor? Despite a completion percentage below 60 percent, are you comfortable taking Allen No. 1?