With the trade of Trent Richardson, the Cleveland Browns could plan to tank for a chance at Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the 2014 NFL draft. The team also is reportedly gunning for Texans running back Ben Tate in free agency, while fielding offers for receivers Josh Gordon and Greg Little.
Cleveland named Brian Hoyer as the starting quarterback for Week 4, but the team appears far from ready to hand him the franchise keys. Although now 1-2, the Browns could be in contention by the end of the season for next year's No. 1 overall pick.
Jacksonville and Oakland, at least at the moment, appear to be Cleveland's stiffest competition for the top pick. Both teams also are in need of a quarterback, which all but guarantees Bridgewater will be off the board if either team picks before Cleveland. Depending on how the draft order unfolds, the Browns could, if high on Bridgewater, try to trade up by throwing in its No. 1 pick acquired from the Colts in the Richardson trade.
If the Browns can't draft Bridgewater, they could wind up with Jadeveon Clowney, though it'd still leave the team's quarterback situation unresolved.
While the Browns' quarterback situation remains in flux, the team is reportedly intent on pursuing Tate in free agency, when his contract expires after this season, to fill its need at running back. Cleveland's planned pursuit of Tate was reported by ESPN's league sources.
The Browns are also listening to offers for receivers Gordon and Little, according to another ESPN source. The team doesn't plan on making any trades, however, unless the offers improve for either receiver.
Cleveland plays the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
