Cleveland Browns: Team May Have Second Trade in Place

Sashi Brown’s confidence may stem from the fact that the Cleveland Browns already have another trade in place Thursday.

Cleveland Browns executive vice president Sashi Brown announced the team had finalized its board, which isn’t exactly news. What did catch some notice was when Brown said “We’re set, locked in, know who we’ll be taking,” as reported by Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

This has many onlookers wondering why Brown could be so confident, seeing as the Browns are picking at No. 8.

There are 2 conclusions to draw. First, the Browns are taking someone that no one would expect at No. 8. This is possible, but doesn’t seem terribly likely.

The second is far more logical; the Browns have already discussed the parameters of a trade and just need the draft to play out the way they expect before pulling the trigger and taking their guy.

The Los Angeles Rams are going to select Jared Goff, QB from California.

The Philadelphia Eagles are going to select Carson Wentz, QB from North Dakota State.

The Browns could be looking to pull the trigger right here with San Diego Chargers, but if that were the case, they wouldn’t need to wait and could make the trade right now. Rather, they are confident the Chargers are going to select Jalen Ramsey, the defensive back from Florida State.

The Dallas Cowboys are more difficult to read because their situation is muddled with some pending drug suspensions to their defensive ends. If Ramsey was here, the Cowboys would likely pull the trigger. Since he isn’t, the Cowboys are looking at Joey Bosa from Ohio State, Shaq Lawson from Clemson and Ezekiel Elliot, the running back from Ohio State.

It’s worth noting that none of those prospects is the guy the Browns are targeting. However, it seems as though the Browns have put the Cowboys on a particular guy. More likely than not, that guy is Ezekiel Elliot. They may need defensive line help but Jerry Jones is looking at this through the lens of Tony Romo’s career and Elliot can effectively extend his career lifespan and the chances they can make a serious run.

This brings us to the Jacksonville Jaguars. All throughout the process, there hasn’t been a team more difficult to project than Jacksonville. So many have linked them with Myles Jack, the inside linebacker from UCLA. They don’t need a quarterback, it’s a stretch to think they would take a left tackle and they have a ton invested in their defensive line already.

This also means that the Jaguars don’t need to rush a pick. They are a team that has some serious flexibility when it comes to attacking this draft and would be willing to hear offers from other teams. This is important to the Browns because if the Chargers take Ramsey and the Cowboys take Elliot, the man the Browns covet is on the board.

May 2, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) walks onto the field at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

The Ravens probably aren’t looking to move down and are even less likely to want to help the Browns, so getting a deal done with them is unlikely. So in order to get their guy, Jacksonville is the obvious trade partner.

I think Sashi Brown has already negotiated a trade with Jaguars general manager David Caldwell and as long as Brown’s target, who I believe is DeForest Buckner, is on the board, the teams will make the deal, the Browns will move up to No. 5 and take Buckner and the Jaguars will move down to No. 8 and get some extra assets.

Obviously, with the trades involving the Eagles and Rams, the trade market might be a little crazy, but since this deal doesn’t involve a quarterback, it might be far more reasonable. It also helps the Browns are only moving up three spots.

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The compensation most likely would involve a pick in the third- or fourth-round. The Browns acquired an additional pick in each of those rounds from the Eagles, so they can deal from those rounds without taking themselves out of those rounds entirely.

It’s possible the Browns could give the Jaguars a third-round pick, likely the 77th pick and perhaps another pick, perhaps their fifth- or sixth–round pick. The Browns have compensatory picks at the end of the fourth and fifth rounds, so they would still be able to acquire talent there. The Browns may be high enough on Buckner that are willing to part with a third- and a fourth-round pick to secure him.

The Browns get Buckner and the Jaguars may still be able to get Myles Jack, but even if he isn’t, can get a talented player that fits their scheme while adding a pick or two later in the draft. This would explain why Brown is confident in who he is going to get on Thursday.

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This equation changes if the Chargers go off script and take Buckner, but it appears as though Brown must know something or he is making a huge mistake. The truth will come out Thursday night, but don’t be surprised if the Browns end up with Buckner.

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