Browns "90 percent" done with Johnny Manziel and Want to Trade Up For Marcus Mariota

Johnny Manziel, fresh out of rehab, has been greeted with the following news this month:

1) Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported that the Browns are “90 percent done” with Johnny Manziel. If you believe that, they’re already giving up on a 2014 1st round pick who threw 35 passes in about seven quarters of play during his rookie year. Is that enough of a sample size to dump anyone? Perhaps they’re trying to light a fire under Manziel to get his act together, quit partying and focus on football. He’s only 22. Perhaps they’re blaming him for Josh Gordon‘s January issues?

2) Adam Schefter of ESPN is pushing the angle that the Browns are intrigued by the idea of giving up this year’s two 1st round picks (12 and 19) and next year’s #1 pick to move up into the Top 5 to take Marcus Mariota. Cleveland’s two QBs right now are Josh McCown and Manziel.

Reminder, before you read any further: The draft is in 16 days. We’re in the thickest portion of smokescreen season, when the rumors come fast and furious, and you’ve got to work hard to decipher between a planted rumor and a legit one.

So the owner and the GM of the Browns were on board with drafting Manziel last year. So what, they like shiny new toys, and are already OK dumping Manziel – and that’s what you’re doing if you take a QB again in the 1st round; when was the last time THAT happened? – for Mariota?

In addition, the QB coach who Manziel was tight with is gone, but replacing him is Kevin O’Connell, someone Manziel worked with prior to the draft in 2014. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is gone, replaced by John DeFilippo.

Sorry, I’m not buying the Cleveland-wants-to-trade-up for Mariota rumors. The team has major needs – interior defensive line, wide receiver for starters; two needs that could be addressed in the 1st round – and they can’t give up three 1st round picks in exchange for Mariota. I’m bullish on Mariota, but as we saw with RGIII – trading significant picks to move up and get a QB is a very risky proposition.