All the scuttlebutt before the NFL Draft is becoming a little nauseating if you ask me.
But when it comes from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it obviously has to be taken a little bit more seriously.
Just had an NFL exec tell me, "Don't be surprised if Myles Garrett isn't the No. 1 pick." Exec convinced a QB is in discussion at No. 1.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 12, 2017
Cleveland has not made up its mind at No. 1, per source. Split opinions. Some like Myles Garrett, some like Mitchell Trubisky. We will see.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 12, 2017
Obviously, this would be fantastic news for the San Francisco 49ers.
A) They wind up with Texas A&M pass rusher Myles Garrett. Throughout this whole process, Garrett has been the surefire No. 1 overall pick in every single mock draft. Just yesterday, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said the 49ers are looking for a dominant pass rusher to play their LEO position. Garrett would be that and then some for the next 10 seasons. The 6-foot-4, 272 pounder’s combine measurements were off the charts and he had 43.5 sacks in three seasons with the Aggies. He’s the definition of can’t miss.
B) If they chose to do so — and maybe the reason of this report is that the Browns want to make a deal — the 49ers would be able to trade down a few spots in exchange for a boatload of picks, including a first-rounder next year. Because of the comparisons to Von Miller, Garrett has become one of the more coveted prospects in recent memory. John Lynch’s cellphone would be ringing off the hook, and the 49ers need to have their demands ready in case this scenario does play out.
C) We’ve got to consider, this is the Browns. The new regime of Sashi Brown and Paul DePodesta have higher credibility than some of their predecessors, but this is an organization who we can’t give the benefit of the doubt. Constantly, the Browns have overthought the NFL Draft. They make the outrageous pick instead of the safe one. And there is pressure in the town to somehow end up with Mitchell Trubisky, and that could easily mean taking him first and addressing another position with their No. 12 pick.
Smokescreen or not, this is good news for the 49ers.