The Mitchell Trubisky rumors have gone into overdrive over the last 48 hours, with more and more people saying that they are hearing the Cleveland Browns might take him No. 1 overall in the 2017 NFL draft. Texas A&M pass rusher Myles Garrett has been the consensus No. 1 for the entire pre-draft process, but Browns ownership wants a QB, and might not be patient enough to wait until No. 12.
The San Francisco 49ers have every possible interest in making this happen, and one has to wonder how much they have pushed the reports that they are considering Trubisky at No. 2. I don’t think they actually are, but the 49ers have a big advantage right now. John Lynch has no track record, and he has an offensive-minded head coach in his first HC job. The 49ers could do basically anything with that first round pick, and it would be hard to say it is a stunning surprise. OK, drafting a kicker would throw us off, but with no track record, it is no surprise there is so much suspense around the pick.
If the Browns badly want Trubisky, and legitimately think the 49ers might draft him, maybe the Browns feel compelled to force him at No. 1. The same holds true if they think the Chicago Bears want Trubisky at No. 3. The Browns would either have to take him at No. 1, or try and move up to the 49ers pick. Either way, the 49ers could win big on draft night. They could either get Myles Garrett at No. 2, or they could get a nice haul of picks to move down to 12, and the rebuilding process gets a serious infusion of capital.
The rumors are flying like crazy as we roll through draft day, but we will not have an answer until sometime between 5:00 and 5:10 p.m. PT tonight. I’m crossing all my fingers and toes on this one, even as I try not to get my hopes up. If Cleveland did do it, you’ll hear a very loud yell from me offstage during SB Nation’s live show (I’m in NYC for that).