Browns might *seriously* pass on Myles Garrett for Mitchell Trubisky at No. 1

When the Browns kick off the 2017 draft tonight, everyone expects Myles Garrett’s name to be called at No. 1. But the Browns have other options with that pick, including quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Trubisky is very much in play with the top pick, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“I continue to hear that Mitchell Trubisky is square in consideration and may turn out to be the No. 1 pick,” Schefter said Wednesday. “Now I know everyone thinks Myles Garrett’s going to be the pick, and I will not be surprised if that’s the case tomorrow night.

“But I have got very smart, very well-connected people telling me over the last 24 hours that they think Trubisky’s going to be the No. 1 pick.”

Schefter also said that the team isn’t likely to move around in the first, and will hold on to the No. 1 and No. 12 picks. With other teams that have long-term needs at quarterback picking in front of Cleveland, like the Bears and Jets, there’s a real possibility Trubisky could be off the board by the 12th pick.

Cleveland needs a quarterback, but this is not the year to take a signal caller with the first overall pick. There’s no player in this draft class who looks like he could be a surefire franchise quarterback without significant development.

While most people have expected the Browns to grab Myles Garrett with the first overall pick, there have been plenty of rumblings connecting the team to Trubisky. NFL Network’s Mike Silver, who spent the week leading up to the draft in Berea at the Browns’ headquarters, said Monday that Cleveland had been making calls to teams with picks in the top 10 to explore the possibility of trading up from No. 12 to get the UNC product. Silver also said that Garrett is not a lock with the top pick.

This idea of Trubisky to the Browns at No. 1 is gaining momentum. ESPN’s Todd McShay and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s Bob McGinn both have Trubisky going first overall in their most recent mock drafts.

The 49ers have expressed interest in Trubisky at No. 2, although that seems like a smokescreen. If San Francisco can get the Browns to take Trubisky with the first overall pick, they get Myles Garrett at No. 2. That would be a solid turnout for San Francisco.

The Browns need stability at the quarterback position, but that doesn’t mean Cleveland should reach for Trubisky at No. 1. Trubisky has the potential to develop into a franchise quarterback, and if any coach can help him fulfill that, it’s Hue Jackson. But with only one season of starting experience at UNC, there are too many unknowns to throw the top pick at Trubisky.

Cleveland does have 11 picks heading into this draft, and they’re in a great position to start a turnaround if they use them all wisely. With so many needs on both sides of the ball, they can’t afford to waste even one selection. It would be unwise to use the top pick on Trubisky, but the Browns may very well do it anyway.