Trading up, a fourth draft option for the Browns?

Recently there have been rumors floating around that the Browns have talked to Saint Louis about trading up to the number one pick. The only logical reason for the Browns moving up would be to draft quarterback Sam Bradford out of Oklahoma.

The price to jump ahead six picks would be steep. According to experts and draft charts, the Browns would need to give up their first and second round picks in this year’s draft along with the team’s first round pick in next year’s draft. Even that may not be enough.

I have conflicting thoughts about the prospect of this trade. Pre-draft I am completely against the thought of moving up. The Browns have too many holes to be trading away valuable draft picks. In the recent past, the team has drafted quarterbacks in the first round (Tim Couch, Brady Quinn) and put them in situations where they had little chance of success due to the lack of either an offensive line or playmakers in the running back or wide receiver position. Drafting Sam Bradford this year could be a repeat of this mistake.

Post-draft I am this trade’s biggest fan. Franchise quarterbacks are worth their weight in gold. I would have to view drafting Sam Bradford from the stance that he is going to succeed. The Browns would be set at the most important position for at least the next ten years. From this perspective, the Browns would be foolish not to make this trade.

At least one expert thinks that his rumor is crazy. James Walker, ESPN’s AFC North blogger, thinks that the price is way too costly. He said, “Browns president Mike Holmgren has a better chance of sporting dreadlocks (a la Mike Ditka) next Thursday night than giving up his entire first draft with Cleveland for one player.”

Will the Browns trade up in the first round of the draft next Thursday? Only when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell steps up to the podium and announces the Browns’ pick will the mystery of this year’s draft be solved.