Many Dallas Cowboys fans view the perfect NFL Draft scenario as taking the best defensive player at No. 12 overall, preferably a consensus stud, and trading back from No. 20 to pick up a second-rounder. That would leave Dallas with four top-100 picks.
It'd be hard to have any qualms with that outcome, but what about trading up from No. 12 to ensure the Cowboys land one of the premier defenders in the class?
Multiple trade partners could emerge between now and April 23, and the Cleveland Browns sure sound like one of them after general manager Andrew Berry left all options on the table for the No. 6 overall pick (h/t Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland.com).
“It really just depends on the prospects that are available. I don’t know that (we’ll find a trade partner), but I would tell you guys, I don’t know that we’re going to be picking six at the end of April, and if we are picking six, I have no idea what we’re going to take at this point.”
The Dallas Cowboys have a perfect NFL Draft trade partner in the Browns
"I don't know that we're going to be picking at six at the end of April" is the money quote for Cowboys fans.
The Browns also pick at No. 24, but two first-round picks aren't enough to vault them back into contention in the AFC North. They have their own picks in Rounds 1-5, but adding an extra Day 2 pick would go a long way towards retooling a roster that needs help at every position sans edge rusher, running back, and tight end.
It's hard to say which direction Cleveland should go at pick No. 6. They could play it safe and draft Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa or Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. Both are worthy of being drafted that high, but odds are one of them is available at No. 12.
From a Cowboys perspective, they could get completely wiped out before the 12th pick rolls around. David Bailey, Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, Mansoor Delane, and Rueben Bain Jr. may be all gone.
What does Dallas do at that point? Trade back? Reach for Dillon Thieneman or Akheem Mesidor? Moving up to No. 6 would ensure that they land one of those studs. Assuming it doesn't cost pick No. 20, they could come out of Round 1 with Caleb Downs and Mesidor, or David Bailey and Aveion Terrell.
The Browns, meanwhile, could land any two of Tate, Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, Utah tackle Spencer Fano, Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane, Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston, or Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling.
The extra pick could even give them the flexibility to take a flier on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
A trade makes sense for both teams, and Berry basically tipped his hand that the Browns are open for business.