Cleveland Browns rumors: Broncos eyeing trade with Browns, 10th pick

Rumors ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft have the Denver Broncos targeting the Cleveland Browns and the 10th pick in a potential trade-up.

The Denver Broncos are rumored to be looking at a trade with the Cleveland Browns.

Denver would move up to No. 10 in order to jump ahead of Miami and the Raiders so that they could select the receiver of their choice, according to former Browns GM and current Athletic writer, Michael Lombardi.

The Broncos, who finished 7-19 a season ago, have the 15th pick. In the event of a trade, the Browns would likely add that selection, in addition to a pick later in the draft.

Both New York (11th pick) and the Raiders (12th) have been tied to wideouts in what is regarded as one of the best receiving classes in some time.

The Browns’ trade down story line is picking up steam among the local media, and it’s not surprising.

The Browns need an offensive tackle, but depending on whom you ask, there’s no consensus opinion on any the top-4 prospects. Heck, Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy recently indicated there isn’t a first class of lineman, and then a second class, and so on, via TheLandonDemand.com (subscription).

Rumbles such as Nagy’s add fuel to fire that the analytically-driven Browns front office will trade down to collect more picks if they aren’t infatuated with anyone available at No. 10.

This coincides with rumors of Browns’ GM Andrew Berry “Taking a liking” to Boise State lineman Ezra Cleveland. If the Browns’ brass agrees with Nagy’s assessment then it’d be easy to trade down and get a player you still like at 15.

Ahead of draft day, evaluations regarding the lineman are all over the place. The only consensus is that if you’ve got your sites set on a Hall of Famer, Mekhi Becton is the best bet, because no one brings the same size and athleticism as the Louisville tackle. That said, he could bust, as well. If you’ve been reading our draft stuff, you know how I feel about the Becton pick.

Based off the drafts the Browns’ analytics gurus have run, it would be surprising if Cleveland didn’t trade down! They passed on slam-dunk picks Carson Wentz and DeShaun Watson in consecutive seasons, so it’d almost be a little funny if they stood pat and took their best shot with one of the tackles.

OK, that’s easy to write, but we don’t know what the Browns think. DePo and Berry may believe there is a slam-dunk choice if the board shakes out their way. Answers coming in six days, so stay tuned.