Browns Considering Trading 6th Overall Pick ... for Ryan Mallett?

[SteelersCanada]

Could the Cleveland Browns Be in the Market for Ryan Mallett?

By
Ryan McCrystal

The Browns have hired Michael Lombardi away from the NFL Network and made him their new director of player personnel (essentially making him the GM).

This will be Lombardi's second stint in Cleveland after he served as Bill Belichick's director of player personnel from 1992 through 1995. And that Belichick connection is already leading to speculation.

One of the worst-kept secrets of the offseason was Cleveland's interest in Lombardi, which has given the media plenty of time to speculate on potential moves Lombardi would make. Considering Lombardi's criticism of the Browns' selection of Brandon Weeden (he called it a "panicked disaster"), his documented interest in Ryan Mallett, and the Belichick connection, it's no surprise that Mallett-to-the-Browns ideas have already surfaced.

What is surprising, however, is the speculated asking price below:

NFL Philosophy @NFLosophy

Mallett to the Browns will probably heat up. Browns will have to give up number 6 overall pick this year, plus more. No clue what else.

If the Browns were to part with the sixth overall selection, it would be an unprecedented haul for a former third-round pick with a grand total of four pass attempts (including one interception) in two seasons as Tom Brady's backup.

For some perspective on what it should take to acquire Mallett, let's take a look at a few recent trades involving similar quarterbacks:

- In 2011, the Cardinals acquired Kevin Kolb, a former second-round pick with seven career starts under his belt, from the Eagles in exchange for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick.
- In 2007, the Texans acquired Matt Schaub, a former third-round pick with two career starts, from the Falcons in exchange for two second-round picks and swap of first-round picks (the Falcons moved up from 10 to eight).

So how does this apply to Mallett? For starters, both Kolb and Schaub had considerably more experience and were highly thought of around the league. Prior to the trades, it was a virtual certainty that a team would be willing to put together a package to acquire the quarterbacks. Both were widely regarded as future starters who were ready to finally step into that role. Mallet, on the other hand, has no meaningful experience at the NFL level which should keep his asking price significantly lower compared to both Kolb and Schaub.

Additionally, there's the tricky question of Mallett's off-field issues. While he has presumably stayed out of trouble during his two years in New England, reports of drug use and other off-field incidents played a significant role in causing his fall to the third round of the draft. And for that reason, a number of potential suitors would likely shy away from a trade for the same reason they steered clear in 2011.

So if the Patriots wish to move Mallett, they're dealing with a limited market. Only a handful of teams are interested in acquiring a quarterback every year, and of those teams, a portion of them may not be interested in investing in Mallett as a starter based on his limited experience and/or the off-field issues.

With the market in mind, it is difficult to envision the Browns needing to offer a package including the sixth overall selection to acquire Mallett. A more realistic trade would be to send the sixth pick to New England in exchange for their first-round selection (29-32 depending on the playoff results) and Mallett.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...r-ryan-mallett

-- Someone tell me this is a joke.

[harrison'samonster]

They can't help it, they're the Browns.

[Fire Arians]

i knew ryan mallet would be trade bait from the moment he got drafted (it's not like tom brady was/is at the end of his career or anything)

but giving up the 6th overall pick? im gonna laugh if hes a bust. anyway i thought they drafted weeden pretty high already, thinking that he could be their future qb?

like harrisonsamonster said though, they're the browns. too bad we cant ever seem to be getting into trades with idiot GM's from the raiders or browns

[SteelersCanada]

You'd think a top 10 pick would garner someone that was a little bit more impressive than Ryan Mallett for Christ sake. If this trade happens, I'm going to be just upset. It's like Cleveland stays up at night and asks 'how else could we fuck over this organization in the long term?' and then proceeds to do it in the most humorous way possible.

This is ridiculous. It's not that Cleveland is getting Mallett that is frustrating, it's the fact that the Pats will have a top 10 pick when there's a good chance they win the Super Bowl. How in the sweet name of fuck does Belichick get these deals done? I don't even understand.

[harrison'samonster]

Originally Posted by SteelersCanada

You'd think a top 10 pick would garner someone that was a little bit more impressive than Ryan Mallett for Christ sake. If this trade happens, I'm going to be just upset. It's like Cleveland stays up at night and asks 'how else could we fuck over this organization in the long term?' and then proceeds to do it in the most humorous way possible.

This is ridiculous. It's not that Cleveland is getting Mallett that is frustrating, it's the fact that the Pats will have a top 10 pick when there's a good chance they win the Super Bowl. How in the sweet name of fuck does Belichick get these deals done? I don't even understand.

it all started when he sold his soul to the devil to get out of Cleveland. everything since has just been good fortune.

[harrison'samonster]

Originally Posted by Fire Arians

i knew ryan mallet would be trade bait from the moment he got drafted (it's not like tom brady was/is at the end of his career or anything)

but giving up the 6th overall pick? im gonna laugh if hes a bust. anyway i thought they drafted weeden pretty high already, thinking that he could be their future qb?

like harrisonsamonster said though, they're the browns. too bad we cant ever seem to be getting into trades with idiot GM's from the raiders or browns

i haven't heard anything since the regular season ended, but leading up to that last game the word was that the new regime was open to getting rid of Weeden. I think they were going to leave it up to the new coach.

[fansince'76]

Originally Posted by SteelersCanada

-- Someone tell me this is a joke.

It's from Bleacher Report. That should be your first clue.

[SteelersCanada]

Originally Posted by fansince'76

It's from Bleacher Report. That should be your first clue.

That's what I thought too, until I saw it on other sites as well. I don't know if they're sourcing BR but apparently this thing is picking up.

[BlacksburgSteeler13]

Wow, the clowns have no patience at all. No wonder the Clowns suck year after year after year. No continuity whatsoever. What other team in this league would trade the sixth overall pick for a guy who has thrown only four passes, besides possibly the Raiders?

[mikegrimey]

Won't believe it until its a done deal, no team could be that stupid...I hope