Cleveland Browns Rumors: Jimmy Garoppolo Buzz Picking Up
Sep 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) warm up before the start of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
A couple weeks back it was hinted in the Cleveland Browns rumors pool that they might be considering an aggressive trade for Jimmy Garoppolo in 2017.
Their needs for a quarterback are obvious. Robert Griffin III and Cody Kessler don’t look like the future for them. Hue Jackson has to have somebody he can build around. Somebody who can run a pro offense despite inclement weather. Preferably somebody with experience rather than a raw rookie in the upcoming 2017 NFL draft. Garoppolo of course tops that list.
A 2nd round pick of the New England Patriots in 2014, he has been the backup of Tom Brady since then. However, he was thrust into the starting lineup this year after Brady earned a suspension stemming from Deflategate. In seven quarters of play as a starter Garoppolo threw for 496 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. It was the first validation that he could play at the NFL level.
This of course increased his trade value. Former personnel executive Michael Lombardi claimed in an interview with the Akron Beacon-Journal that he believes the Browns will make a strong push to make that deal.
“The next quarterback that’ll be the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback perhaps is Jimmy Garoppolo in New England. 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.”
Cleveland is more equipped than any quarterback-needy team to make such a pursuit. They have nine picks at present for 2017 including two 1st and two 2nd round choices. They could easily sacrifice one of each to satisfy the Patriots and still have two left over to continue building their roster. The popular theory is they deal for Garoppolo to get their quarterback and then use the #1 overall pick to select star Texas A&M pass rusher Myles Garrett.
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It may not sound like the ideal solution to the quarterback problem, but the Browns could do a lot worse. Garoppolo is poised, smart, accurate and has the arm to make plays down the field. If they can get him some protection and a strong ground game, there is no reason to think he can’t have some success in Cleveland.
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