This year’s rumors are generally about the wide receiver and offensive tackle positions, with many believing that the Browns will actually trade down from the sixth overall pick. Monday, ESPN Cleveland host Tony Rizzo said he heard Cleveland is leaning toward drafting OT Monroe Freeling at the top of the draft, like WR Jordyn Tyson, and WR Carnell Tate is dropping:
While Rizzo thinks Tate is falling, Todd McShay thinks the opposite:
Zac Jackson believes that the Browns are actually leaning toward selecting Tate, if they do not trade down, as he noted last week:
In checking with different sources, connected to the team and those connected with the league, offensive tackle has been the consistent theme I’ve heard, besides trade down, at the top of the draft. Many believe it is much easier to find a top wide receiver than an offensive tackle, including in this year’s crop.
There have been rumblings that Tyson’s injury and lack of progress could lead him to falling late in the first, and potentially the second round. Those concerns continue to be noted as the draft approaches:
What does it all mean? That we really do not know what Berry and company are up to. This year, unlike last year, there are also more picks before Cleveland is on the clock. The Browns had a deal in place in advance if QB Cam Ward was selected first, and then were able to pull the trigger on the trade. There are significantly more variables when selecting sixth overall, including the possibility that Freeling, Tate, and/or Proctor are off the board already.
Do these kinds of rumors interest you as the NFL draft draws closer? How do you decide which ones to believe and which ones to throw out?