Baker Mayfield was the first pick in the 2018 draft. Sam Darnold was the third. Could they swap teams in their fifth seasons in the NFL? Stranger things have happened. (NFL.com)
#HeyTony: Does a Baker Mayfield trade involving Sam Darnold make sense?
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Hey Tony: Didn’t seem to before, but would a Baker Mayfield-Sam Darnold trade (with other draft comp for us) actually make sense to have Darnold as the (small) upgrade from Dobbs as the backup in case of a long suspension for DW?
-- Matt, Columbus, OH
Hey Matt: If Deshaun Watson is suspended for eight or more games, the Browns have to consider adding an upgrade over Josh Dobbs as the QB3 because QB3 becomes QB2 behind Jacoby Brissett for a longer-than-expected period. Would Sam Darnold be an upgrade over Dobbs? Yes. Should that factor into a Mayfield trade to Carolina? Yes. Is it mind-boggling that it’s come to this? Absolutely. Pass the Advil, please.
Hey Tony: Are the Browns planning on Brissett being our starter given the uncertainty of Watson?
--Mark, Twinsburg, OH
Hey Mark: The Browns always expected Watson would miss some games in a suspension. They chose Brissett as the replacement starter one week after trading for Watson. However, if Brissett has to start six or more games, the Browns may need to add a QB better than Dobbs to be QB2 in the interim.
Hey Tony: Why were the Browns so convinced to give an NFL QB $230 million fully guaranteed that won 4 games in two of his 4 seasons that never accomplished really anything in the NFL? Besides the legal stuff?
--Ernie, Eastlake, OH
Hey Ernie: And to think they declined to draft him in 2017 when all they had to do was hand in the card with the No. 12 pick. I’m just a Cleveland public school kid who attended an Ohio public university. I didn’t graduate from an Ivy League school. So I can’t explain their reasoning, and they decline to explain it.
Hey Tony: Can you empathize with fans who ethically can’t accept the Watson deal, but fear they will unfortunately overlook his shortcomings, if a Super Bowl is on the horizon?
--Alex, Novato CA
Hey Alex: Baker Mayfield was a quarterback who polarized the fan base. Shame on the Browns for replacing him with a quarterback who is even more polarizing, for far different reasons. In Denver, Broncos fans are 100 percent behind new QB Russell Wilson. Same in Indianapolis with Matt Ryan. In Cleveland, fans are confused, polarized and unable to celebrate the Watson transaction.
Hey Tony: If Watson would go on the Commissioner’s list (paid leave but not playing), who pays that salary? The Browns? Or the league? Seems unfair for Browns to have to pay if he can’t play.
--Joe Fortunato, Green, OH
Hey Joe: The Browns would pay Watson’s salary if he is put on the commissioner’s exempt list. I have no idea why Roger Goodell would choose to give Watson paid leave rather than suspend him without pay. Just doesn’t make sense to me.
Hey Tony: With the Texans being added to the suit[s], do you think this could expedite a settlement on the civil suits?
--Stevie, Dayton, OH
Hey Stevie: I honestly don’t know what to make of it. Plaintiff attorney Tony Buzbee has not formally added the Texans to the lawsuits, as far as I know.
Hey Tony: It’s my belief that Watson will never set foot on the field as a Brown. What say you?
--Ray, Medina, OH
Hey Ray: Please. Donte Stallworth killed a pedestrian while driving drunk and went on to play for two teams after leaving the Browns. Let’s keep things in perspective. Allegations against Watson are concerning, but there is no evidence of force or violence.
Hey Tony: Have you heard rumblings that any of the front office leadership isn't/wasn't on board with the Watson trade? Of course they're united publicly, and Watson's an upgrade, but at times Berry & Stefanski have seemed less than enthusiastic when taking about things.
--Ryan, Ashtabula, OH
Hey Ryan: The entire Watson transaction – with all its exorbitant costs v. high risks -- does not jibe with what I thought Andrew Berry, Paul DePodesta and Kevin Stefanski believed in. Ultimately, jobs could be lost if the Watson transaction backfires.
Hey Tony: What's the best case scenario if Jacoby Brissett has to start 6 or 8 games? Is going .500 in those games the floor or the ceiling?
-Joe, Seattle, WA
Hey Joe: Brissett has never had a winning record as a starter for the Patriots, Colts or Dolphins. I would take .500 in games he starts right now.
Hey Tony: Am I the only one that sees Baker and the Browns having a reconciliation when Watson gets more than a year suspension?
--Justin, Solon, OH
Hey Justin: Absolutely not. Ian Rappaport of NFL Network is in your circle.
Hey Tony: Is Baker fully healed from his surgery? Is this in any way affecting his trade value, or lack thereof?
--John, Granger, OH
Hey John: It was a minor surgery undergone by several quarterbacks over the years. The No. 1 thing that affected Mayfield’s trade value is his guaranteed salary of $18.858 million. No. 2 is his personality. His shoulder surgery might be a distant third.
Hey Tony: Who do you feel will be the two starting defensive tackles for the Browns this season?
-- Howard, Covington, GA
Hey Howard: Jordan Elliott should win one job. The other is a competition between veteran Taven Bryan and rookie Perrion Winfrey.
Hey Tony: Who do you believe is more likely to be traded … Kareem Hunt or D’Ernest Johnson?
--John, Columbus, OH
Hey John: The key factor is rookie Jerome Ford. If he has a great preseason and proves he can understand and execute NFL pass game concepts, I think Hunt could be available but only if some team offers a third-round pick, or better. Otherwise, Johnson could be the odd man out. But Ford’s progress will dictate this decision. If he falters, there’s no way Hunt is traded and Johnson is let go.
Hey Tony: What might separate the optimism we have for Cade York from Zane Gonzalez and Austin Seibert? We thought we had our kicker in those two drafts too.
--Dave, Fairlawn, OH
Hey Dave: I never saw Gonzalez or Seibert nail a 60-yard field goal right down the middle with 8-10 yards to spare at any point in their OTA, minicamp or training camp experience. I saw York do that last week.
Hey Tony: Are you confident about our linebackers? Considering that JOK has been the only one to disrupt offenses as Jacob Phillips’ potential must result in performance , while Anthony Walker is simply a backup.
--Mark, Boston MA
Hey Mark: In the Browns’ defense, linebackers are No. 3 priority after defensive line and secondary. So I’m not too concerned about the linebackers. I think they’ll be fine.
Hey Tony: Which players on the current roster do you think have the best chance of making the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
--Andy, New Albany, OH
Hey Andy: Myles Garrett has Hall of Fame talent. But the only game against the hated Pittsburgh Steelers in which he dominated was the one marred by the Mason Rudolph coconut smash. Garrett is adored by local media, but he has never received a single vote for NFL defensive player of the year in national media voting. At present, I couldn’t honestly name another Browns player on a path to the Hall of Fame. Nick Chubb would be the closest.
