Hue Jackson PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns looks on prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 11, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Browns 29-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns have amassed a strong array of draft picks in both the 2017 and 2018 NFL Drafts, and can deal from that strength to acquire established players to bolster their core. The Browns will pick first in this year’s draft, and that top overall pick is a desirable target for teams looking to trade the Browns a potential franchise quarterback (like say, the New England Patriots).

But don’t tell that to Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson. He wants no part of the team trading that #1 overall pick.

“No,” Jackson said. “I can tell you no on that one.”

OK, that response is fair enough. The #1 pick is an incredible asset, and you don’t want to throw it away by dealing for a quarterback who has potential but hasn’t completely established himself in the league quite yet (hello, Jimmy Garoppolo).

Cleveland also has the 12th overall pick in the draft, thanks to some of their deal-making at last year’s draft, and that’s one pick Jackson believes could be had in a deal for a quarterback.

Jackson, though, would be open to trading the Browns second first-round pick (12th overall), and other picks, if that’s what it would take to get the team help at quarterback.

“There’s trade opportunities, hopefully,” Jackson said when asked how the Browns could improve at the position next season.

#12 for Garoppolo? OK, that’s interesting. #12 for AJ McCarron? Ehhhh…I don’t think so. #12 for a mid-first rounder and a third or a fourth? Sure, why not!

With a new leadership group in place that appears to know what they’re doing, the Browns could be the team that creates the most intrigue over the coming weeks and months across the league.

[ESPN]

About Joe Lucia

I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.