According to ESPN, both the Cleveland Browns and New York giants are willing to trade down in the draft. The Browns own the first overall pick in the draft after going winless this past season. The Giants own the second overall pick after going 3-13. Although both had terrible seasons, the Browns in this case historically bad, it seems as though both organizations have different reasons for trading their first-round pick.
Browns draft outlook
The Cleveland Browns have been the butt of many jokes over the past decade. They have gone through QB's like Kardashians go through boyfriends.
It has been so bad for the Browns in the QB department that since the 2007 season there have been 21 different starting QBs. The last QB to win a game for the Browns is former NFL QB Johnny Manziel. Yes, you read that correctly. A guy that has been in and out of rehab and out of the league for almost two years. If that doesn't describe how bad it has been for the Browns, I don't know what will.
The Browns were in a similar situation two drafts ago when it traded the second overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles then went on to select Carson Wentz, and if not for a late-season injury, he would have most likely been the MVP of the league this past season. Clearly, the Browns have not learned from this mistake.
The NFL is a QB driven league, and the Browns currently do not have a viable option at the position. This year's draft is deep in the QB department. The Browns if they keep the pick will have their choice of USC's Sam Darnold, UCLA's Josh Rosen, Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield, and Wyoming's Josh Allen.
Now, maybe the Browns do not see a significant drop off in talent between the top 4 QBs.
If this is the case, trading their top pick could work in their favor this time around. The Browns are in possession of the fourth overall pick as well, and this could be used to select one the QBs. If they do believe one of the QBs is a franchise changing player, they should keep the pick. Getting an elite QB is the most important asset a team can obtain, but the Browns don't need to be told that.
Or do they?
Giants draft outlook
The New York Giants, on the other hand, have not been in this position often. They had their worst season record wise since 1983. The team enters this offseason with a new head coach, Pat Shurmur and a new GM, Dave Gettleman. They now are presented with the tough decision on whether to stick with 2-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning or select one of the top QBs in this year's draft. Theoretically, they could do both, but this would create an awkward situation within the locker room.
If the Giants trade away the second overall pick they will be relying on a 37-year-old QB moving forward. Eli Manning has been trending downward in the production category the past few seasons.
Manning has meant so much to the Giants organization and is a fan favorite. But, knowing when to let go of a player, is just as important as selecting one.
The Giants could be under the impression that they are only a piece or two away from getting back to the playoffs. The offense can be prolific when healthy, keyword is healthy. If the Giants do believe in this mindset, I still do not understand trading out of the 2nd overall pick. Sitting there at number two will almost certainly be Penn State RB Saquon Barkley. Pair Barkley with Eli and Odell Beckham Jr. and you put fear into opposing defenses.
These are not easy decisions facing Shurmur and Gettleman in their first season calling the shots for the Giants, but this decision could define their time with the organization.
