For the first time in this year's NFL Draft, the Browns find themselves behind a team also in pursuit of a franchise quarterback.
The Tennessee Titans on Thursday morning dealt away the first overall pick to the Los Angeles Rams, jumping Cleveland as the highest-picking team in the market for a quarterback.
The Titans, who found their franchise quarterback Marcus Mariota in last year's draft, have agreed to trade the No. 1 pick to the Rams for the 15th overall pick in this year's draft, two second-round picks (43 and 45), and a third-rounder (76) in 2016.
Tennessee will also receive the Rams' first-round pick in 2017, along with its third-round pick in next year's draft, while Los Angeles gets a fourth-round pick (113) and sixth-round pick (177) this year.
"In the end we thought it was a decision that was best for this football team. It made sense for us to do it, and that's why we moved on it," Titans general manager Jon Robinson told the team's website.
"We talked to several teams about the pick. There was interest in the pick, and in the end we thought this was the option that made the most sense for us...We think we can really bolster this roster with the picks that we now have."
The Rams — who were allowed by the NFL owners in January to move from St. Louis to Los Angeles — reportedly have their sights set on scooping up a quarterback in this year's class. Among those options are North Dakota State's Carson Wentz and California's Jared Goff, who are considered to be the top talents at the position.
Like the Rams, the Browns have said they want a franchise quarterback, be it with someone already on the roster or through the draft.
"We're going to take every shot we can to find a franchise quarterback," Jackson said in March during an interview with ESPN 850 WKNR. "My goal is to put a quarterback on this football team that our fans, that this city can be proud of and call their own because he'll be a guy that plays well week in and week out."
While Cleveland's roster currently consists of Robert Griffin III, Josh McCown, Connor Shaw and Austin Davis, Jackson last week said he won't shy away from "adding other arms on the team, but I don't know how that is all going to all unfold."
Cal Bears QB Jared Goff, one of the 2016 NFL Draft's top QB prospects, highlighted the program's Pro Day on Friday. (All photos by AP Images)
The Browns — who have made it clear they'll use their 10 draft picks on the best players available regardless of position — have carefully evaluated all potential prospects. Of course, that includes Goff and Wentz as Jackson and other members of the team's staff attended both of their Pro Days.
"I am all about adding good football players to our team anyway possible. I think anybody is. If there is an opportunity to make our team better, then that is what we need to do all of the time. I think the players truly understand that, too," Jackson said.
"At the end of the day, this is about being as good as you can be. This is not about feelings. This is not about relationships. This is about winning football games, and I think we all understand that."
