Jimmy Garoppolo

Is Jimmy Garoppolo worth the No. 1 overall pick?

(Elise Amendola)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hey, Mary Kay!

Hey, Mary Kay:

I hear all this talk about drafting a quarterback, and the Patriots wanting at least a 1st and 4th for Jimmy Garoppolo. So here's my question.

If you're even THINKING about throwing the No. 1 pick away on a kid who's only played 13 games in college, why not just trade that pick to the Patriots? It would be worth a king's ransom for them to move up 31 spots on the draft scale. Not only would the Browns get Garoppolo, they would also be the ones who are getting the extra picks as well.

-- Canadafan, Lakeside, Ohio

Hey, Canadafan:

I actually wouldn't be opposed to the Browns sending the No. 1 overall pick to the Patriots for

Ideally, they'd get him for the No. 12, but if it turns into a bidding war and they have to go that high, why not? They'd be getting a QB who's proven he can excel against NFL defenses. In recent weeks, national media members, including Bill Belichick pal Mike Lombardi, have speculated the Patriots won't trade him, but I'm not buying it. If the price is right, they'll move him, given the fact he's due to become a free agent after next season. As I've written before, I'd strongly consider drafting Mitch Trubisky No. 1 overall and also shipping the No. 12 pick to New England for Garoppolo. Then, I'd look for a pass-rusher and receiver in the second round.

Hey, Mary Kay:

I've been a Browns fan all my life and from what I'm seeing from these two spoiled athletes, Deshaun Watson and Myles Garrett, why don't you contact the kid from Mentor (Mitch Trubisky) and ask him what he thinks about playing for the Browns! Just sayin'

-- Your follower, Tom, Corozal, Belize

Hey, Tom:

I'm with you in that I didn't like Garrett and Watson asking the Cowboys to trade up to No. 1 to draft them, even if they were kidding. They're both from big-time football programs and know they're being scrutinized. The Browns have been the butt of enough jokes over the past few years that they don't need two players on their radar at No. 1 asking another team to come and grab them. It's just not a good look. However, I don't think it would be a dealbreaker for the Browns if they love one of those players. Question is, do they? I've talked to enough talent evaluators over the past month to make me think they'd have second thoughts about both. Half of Garrett's 31 sacks came against lesser competition, and evaluations of Watson are all over the board. As for Trubisky, he's on record as saying he'd love to play for the Browns, and that's what you want to hear from your No. 1 pick -- not that they want someone else to draft them.

Hey, Mary Kay:

I was looking on NFL.com and saw an article that said "Tennessee pass rusher rival Myles Garrett.'' After finding out it was Derek Barnett, I looked up some highlights and stats. Would it be better for us to draft Barnett over Garrett? Looking at the sack stats alone, Barnett was more consistent. In 13 games last season, he had 13 sacks and 56 total tackles (4.3 ave. a game). Garrett missed three games and his biggest game was against UT San Antonio with 4.5 of his 8.5 sacks and 8 of his 33 tackles coming in that game. Also Barnett is a Tennessee guy like our owner (Jimmy Haslam). Connections maybe?

-- Kenny Lawrence, Mesa, Ariz

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Hey, Kenny:

I do think there's a lot to be said for multiple double-digit sacks seasons, with the numbers increasing each year. Barnett had nine, 11 and then 13. Garrett has 11, 11.5 and then 8.5. As you mentioned, 4.5 of those came last season against UT-San Antonio of the Football Subdivision. Granted, Garrett had an ankle injury last year, but he was also a nonfactor against Kansas State in the Texas Bowl, and that's a red flag. With some inconsistencies in his production and effort, it amazes me that so many experts consider him a slam-dunk for the Browns at No. 1. He's expected to dazzle at the Combine next week, but his college tape must outweigh that. I'm sure the Browns are well aware of Barnett and he's likely on their radar in the first round.

Hey, Mary Kay:

What will the Browns do with Robert Griffin III with his roster bonus coming up?

-- John Ugan, Bay Village, Ohio

Hey, John:

Griffin's $750,000 roster bonus is due March 11, two days after the start of free agency. By then, the Browns will have a better idea if they can land Jimmy Garappolo or if a player such as Tyrod Taylor might be available. They'll also likely have Cincinnati's A.J. Mccarran and Tampa Bay's Mike Glennon in their sights. If they acquire a veteran who can start games for them in 2017, I imagine they'd part with Griffin, who's base salary is $6 million next season. If the Patriots aren't ready to trade Garoppolo at the start of free agency, the Browns can pay Griffin the bonus to buy themselves some time.