Before the Cleveland Browns decide what to do with the No. 4 overall pick in this month's draft, they will take a closer look this week at some of the players they could choose, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Trent Richardson, according to The Plain Dealer.
Wide receiver Justin Blackmon, cornerback Morris Claiborne, defensive end Whitney Mercilus, running back David Wilson and quarterbacks Brandon Weeden and Kirk Cousins also will meet with the Browns this week, the newspaper reported.
Casserly: The case for Tannehill
Ryan Tannehill is projected as a top-10 pick. Charley Casserly explains why this isn't too high for the Texas A&M QB. **More ...**
The newspaper noted that the Browns cannot have the players work out during these visits. Separate workouts will be scheduled with the players they like the most.
Knowledgeable sources told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora last week that the Browns would consider taking Tannehill, who dazzled observers at his pro day.
But the Browns, who have more needs than one player could conceivably fill, also might trade down in the draft to acquire more picks.
Browns general manager Tom Heckert told The Plain Dealer at the NFL Annual Meeting last week that unless an individual among the team's top five prospects stands out, he might be inclined to opt for the latter path.
"But it's still early," Heckert said. "We might fall in love with one of those guys when we have everyone in and say, 'Hey, we've got to have this guy, just forget it. We're going to stay there and take him,' which could happen."
The Brownswere in a position to trade with the St. Louis Rams for the No. 2 pick and the right to take quarterback Robert Griffin III, but they lost out to the Washington Redskins. Since then, the team has been linked to Tannehill despite Heckert and team president Mike Holmgren making their support for incumbent starter Colt McCoy publicly known.
