The Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns could work out a deal in the first round of the NFL draft.
The Browns are sitting on two first-round picks thanks to the Buffalo Bills and the Sammy Watkins deal from last year. The Browns are also well known fans of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and have long been rumored as candidates to trade up in the draft for him.
"If they are desperate, the Browns might be willing to give up No. 12 and No. 19," ESPN Raiders reporter Bill Williamson wrote. "If that is the case, it would be an easy call for Oakland. It would be as sweet as when Khalil Mack fell to the Raiders at No. 5 last year. Still, there's no sure thing Cleveland will want to trade up this year.
"And if they do, I have my doubts the Browns, who could also try to trade with Jacksonville at No. 3 if the Titans at No. 2 don't take Mariota, would be willing to give up that much for No. 4. Remember, two years ago the Raiders were only able to get No. 12 and No. 42 for No. 3. I know the fact that a quarterback would be in the mix would make it different, but still, the Browns may want to give less of a bounty or ask for more in return."
Woah. That's a lot of numbers to take in at once. But what Williamson is saying makes sense. While the Browns and the Raiders are logical trade partners should Mariota fall to No. 4, the compensation involved would be tricky to hammer out. Williamson suggests the fourth pick and the 68th pick from Oakland in exchange for Cleveland's two first-rounders. That seems more than feasible.
Should a deal like this come to fruition, it would be the second straight draft in which the Browns selected a quarterback in the first-round. Cleveland drafted Johnny Manziel at No. 22 last year. Manziel is now finishing up a stay in rehab and is expected to re-join the team later this month. He, Mariota and free agent signee Josh McCown would likely compete for the starting job.
The Raiders are confident that second-year quarterback Derek Carr can develop into a franchise quarterback, leaving them with little interest in Mariota or any of the other top QBs in this year's draft class. However, after failing to land an impact offensive player in free agency, wide receiver still remains a glaring need on Oakland's roster. At No. 4, the team has a great opportunity to draft either Amari Cooper or Kevin White, this year's top prospects at the position. A move down the draft board would likely take them out of range for either player.
What do you think, Raiders fans? Should Oakland snag Cooper or White or should they try and acquire more picks? Let us know in the comments section below.
