Robert Griffin III, NFL Draft 2012: Cleveland Browns May Trade Up To Acquire Baylor QB

The 2012 NFL Draft is fast approaching and discussion is heating up. One of the latest developments in the draft rumors involves Robert Griffin III, the recent Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback of the Baylor Bears. He is expected to be drafted as one of the top five overall selections, but one NFL team seems likely to trade up to ensure their best chance at landing the prospect.

Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald in Ohio reported that ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. appeared on a conference call on Thursday and spoke about the likelihood of the Cleveland Browns trading up in the draft order to ensure that they will be able to select Griffin in the first round. Although the Browns have the No. 4 overall pick, there is no guarantee that the Baylor quarterback will still be on the board at that point. Kiper had this to say:

I think they've pretty much resolved themselves to the fact they're going to go that route. They're probably going to kick Colt McCoy to the curb. That's what happens to a lot of young quarterbacks that don't have great physical qualifications.

Kiper stated that another option is to aggressively go after backup Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn.

Either way, it will be interesting to see how this all shakes out. According to Kiper, the Browns are resigned to get another option at quarterback in the offseason and look willing to go to some lengths to make that happen. Ryan Van Bibber of the Rams blog Turf Show Times suggests the likelihood that the St. Louis Rams would trade their No. 2 overall pick to the Browns, since they are likely to select an offensive tackle as their No. 1 pick, likely Matt Kalil of USC. The No. 4 pick would make them likely to still obtain Kalil while picking up more draft picks or other compensation. It could potentially be a winning proposition all around for the Rams.