NFL Rumors: Browns Eyeing These Two Players With No. 1, No. 4 Pick In NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns need a lot of help improving their team, and it begins with the 2018 NFL Draft.

After going 0-16 in 2017, the Browns own the No. 1 and No. 4 overall selections in the 2018 draft. While many expect the Browns to solve their quarterback issue with the top selection, it appears that Cleveland might have a different plan of attack.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday, that Penn State running back Saquon Barkley is “in the mix” for the No. 1 pick. Mike Garafolo of NFL Media added that Barkley would be the Browns’ pick at No. 1 if the draft was today, and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield could be their selection at No. 4.

Barkley wowed at the NFL Scouting Combine over the weekend, and surely is the top player on many draft boards, regardless of position. The Penn State star would become the first running back taken at No. 1 overall since Ki-Jana Carter was taken with the top pick in the 1995 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

As for Mayfield, the Oklahoma product is one of the more polarizing prospects in this year’s draft. Each of the top QBs in this class come with their own unique question marks, so taking a shot on Mayfield, who could change the culture in Cleveland from Day 1 if given the opportunity, isn’t a bad idea.

Comparisons to former quarterback Johnny Manziel are wildly inaccurate. Mayfield is a much better passer than Manziel ever was. He has the ability to own the middle of the field, has great footwork and is a dynamic passer within the framework of the offense, unlike Manziel who made his money when the play broke down. Mayfield has the ability to be lethal in the right offensive system, and there’s no telling how effective he and Barkley could be if paired together in the same backfield.

While the Browns still have time to change their draft strategy countless times over the next two months, a draft haul that includes Barkley and Mayfield could make them drastically better both in 2018 and for the foreseeable future.