The New England Patriots shipped backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2018 second-round pick. However, the Patriots could have gotten more if they shipped Garoppolo to the Cleveland Browns. Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com said then-Browns vice president Sashi Brown was more than willing to ship the Houston Texans' first-round pick together with a mix of players and late picks to the Patriots for Garoppolo.
The Texans moved up to No. 12 in the 2017 NFL Draft by trading the No. 25 pick and the 2018 first-round pick, which turned out to be the fourth overall pick in next year’s draft.
Many people were surprised that the Patriots did not trade Garoppolo to the Browns, who inquired several times about the availability of Tom Brady’s backup even during the Draft night.
According to Pluto, the Browns asked about Garoppolo’s availability two days before the Patriots shipped the backup signal-caller to the 49ers. However, Pluto said the Patriots wanted to send Garoppolo to a stable franchise in the AFC to prevent him from joining a more prominent squad in the AFC, like the Denver Broncos or a team in the AFC East.
Browns own No. 1 overall pick
After finishing the season with a 0-16 record, the Browns clinched the No. 1 overall pick and will have a chance to make another pick in the first round with the No.
4 pick from the Texans. Last season, the Browns made pass-rusher Myles Garrett the top overall pick and Jabrill Peppers with the No. 25 pick.
The Browns also took quarterback DeShone Kizer as the 52nd pick. Kizer started 15 games for the Browns this season, completing 255-of-476 passes for 2,894 yards and 11 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.
The 2018 NFL Draft has several promising quarterbacks, including Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, Josh Roen and Sam Darnold.
Belichick traded Garoppolo for peanuts?
According to the controversial ESPN report written by Seth Wickersham, Belichick wanted Garoppolo to start in place of the 40-year-old Brady soon. However, his plans changed after Brady approached team owner Robert Kraft and informed him that he wants to play into his mid-40s.
Wickersham said Kraft then mandated Belichick to trade Garoppolo. Despite his objection, Belichick then traded Garoppolo to the 49ers for a 2018 second-round pick. Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports floated the possibility that Belichick sabotaged the Patriots’ long-term future by trading Garoppolo for just “peanuts.” Belichick, Brady, and Kraft all denied the ESPN’s story.
