Lot of NFL rumors but Brock Purdy, Micah Parsons not involved but provide a backdrop for Browns discussion
The NFL draft is next month (we can only say that through the end of Monday) and we are no closer to finding out what the Cleveland Browns are doing with the second overall pick than we were when the season ended. GM Andrew Berry spoke to the media Sunday afternoon, with HC Kevin Stefanski following suit Monday morning.
Neither really said much, but we at least get to speculate on what “skew young” means for the Browns quarterback room.
Unless there is a surprise candidate, like DT Mason Graham, Cleveland seems to be deciding between a few options at the top of the 2025 NFL draft:
- QB Cam Ward
- QB Shedeur Sanders
- DE Abdul Carter
- WR/CB Travis Hunter
What if there was another option with the pick: Trade for a star looking for a big contract!
Currently, QB Brock Purdy and DE Micah Parsons are entering the final years of their rookie contracts and are looking at extensions that will reset the market. While the Browns would have to get creative in making the salary cap work and there are no rumors of either Purdy or Parsons being on the trade market, adding top-shelf players is key to winning in the NFL.
As a starting quarterback, Purdy would likely cost more in both a trade and contract, while Parsons might be more likely to be available as Jerry Jones might be infatuated with the idea of trading up for Hunter (his next Deion Sanders).
For simplicity, let’s assume the contracts are at the top of the market for their positions and that the trades are reasonable for their positions, both including the #2 pick and more.
Which player would you want Cleveland to trade for?
What if I told you that the write-up and poll above were partially a setup for Browns, NFL draft conversation?
Listen, Cleveland is unlikely to trade for either Parsons or Purdy. Anything is possible in the NFL, but that does not seem like a direction the team (nor their potential trade partners) is going in.
Instead, Parsons is the simplest comparison for Carter given their position, number and play at Penn State. While Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux has been my comparison for how Sanders plays quarterback, Purdy is probably the best active quarterback similar to the Colorado star.
Carter is a stud pass rusher with great moves, but, like Parsons, he isn’t the dominating physical size presence that some would like on the edge. Sanders doesn’t have the upside of a big arm, size or rushing prowess but, like Purdy, is a great processor of information and very accurate.
If your first thought was for the Browns to trade for Purdy over Parsons, it likely makes the most sense for Cleveland to draft Sanders over Carter with the second overall pick. If you were salivating about pairing Myles Garrett with Parsons, Carter should be who you are rooting for at #2.
What do you think of the Purdy/Sanders and Parsons/Carter comparisons? Does framing it that way change your mind in any way?
Share your thoughts in our comment section below. If you haven’t signed up already, you can do so here, then come back and give your thoughts