Trading with the New England Patriots is a dangerous game, but acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo could be the best option for the Cleveland Browns to upgrade their quarterback situation.
Jimmy Garoppolo would cost the Browns a fortune in a trade, if it’s even possible
The Browns would likely have to send a huge package to the Patriots to acquire Jimmy Garoppolo, but even that might not be enough.
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According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Browns aren’t leaning toward a quarterback at the top of the 2017 NFL draft and instead have an “astronomical grade” on Texas A&M pass rusher Myles Garrett. However, Schefter also reported the Browns have “spent an inordinate amount of time” scouting Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer, who could enter the draft soon.
But others believe that the best option could be the Patriots’ backup quarterback:
“The next quarterback that’ll be the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback perhaps is Jimmy Garoppolo in New England,” former Browns general manager Michael Lombardi said Thursday on Fox Sports 1’s Speak for Yourself, via Ohio.com. “I think Cleveland understands, [coach] Hue Jackson specifically understands he needs a quarterback. I think they’ll be very aggressive. I think Jimmy Garoppolo’s on top of their list, and I think they’ll go hard after him.”
Lombardi isn’t calling the shots in Cleveland anymore, so it doesn’t seem like much more than speculation at this point. But the logic holds water. Garoppolo is just 25 years old, spent three seasons learning behind Tom Brady, and posted a 2-0 record and 117.1 passer rating in his limited time as a starter at the beginning of the 2016 season.
If the Browns don’t believe that there’s a quarterback worth taking at the top of the 2017 NFL draft class, Garoppolo could be a young franchise quarterback of the future.
The question is whether or not the Patriots have already earmarked Garoppolo to fill that same role in New England after Brady is done playing. The 11-time Pro Bowler hasn’t shown signs of slowing, but he’ll turn 40 before the beginning of the 2017 season and the Patriots need to have a contingency plan for the inevitable end of Brady’s career, which is certainly on the horizon.
Sending Garoppolo to the Browns — or any other team — makes sense only if the compensation is significant. The Browns will have as much draft capital as any team with the likely No. 1 overall pick and another first-round selection from the Philadelphia Eagles, which could land in the top 10 as well.
Acquiring Garoppolo could mean sending one of the biggest trade packages in NFL history, but that might make sense for Cleveland if the team truly believes he’ll be a top quarterback for the next decade. But it could mean it makes sense for the Patriots to decline such a mammoth deal if Bill Belichick sees Garoppolo the same way.
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