CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here's the buzz on the Browns coming out of the NFL Combine and heading into free agency:



1. Myles Garrett and Jimmy Garoppolo would be their dream scenario

Garrett's stunning workout at the NFL Combine and interview with the Browns have pretty much clinched their decision: they'll take him at No. 1 unless something unforeseen happens between now and the draft, league sources tell cleveland.com.

After so many first-round failures, the Browns know they need to nail the No. 1 overall pick, and the Texas A&M pass-rusher is widely-regarded as the premier player in this draft. Most personnel executives regard him as a franchise-changer, although one told me he "has a chance to bust. His effort was very inconsistent this year."

The Browns went into the combine seeking answers, and emerged satisfied that Garrett's high ankle sprain was the reason he sometimes appeared to take plays off. Coming off 1-15, they need players who can make an immediate impact.

What does that mean for acquiring the franchise quarterback?

Despite a report by ESPN that the Patriots won't trade Jimmy Garoppolo, I'm told that nothing has changed and that teams -- including the Browns -- will still try to land him.

One source told me he believes it might take as much as a No. 1 this year and No. 1 next year -- which I'm sure the Browns won't be willing to do.

But if New England will accept their No. 12 overall pick and maybe another later selection, I think the Browns would strongly consider that.

They'd come away with their franchise player on defense and their franchise quarterback, and that would be a grand slam first round. They'd sell tickets, get their weary fan base excited again and presumably start winning.

Now, if the Patriots will accept only the Browns' No. 1 pick for Garoppolo, I'd do it without hesitation, but I doubt the Browns will. To me, a potential franchise quarterback trumps a potential world-beating pass-rusher any day.

If they can't get Garoppolo, they'll consider Buffalo's Tyrod Taylor if he's let go and Cincinnati's AJ McCarron, who wants to be traded.

2. Mitchell Trubisky and Deshaun Watson

So why won't the Browns draft Trubisky or Watson No. 1 overall and start fresh with their quarterback of the future?

Because both have question marks and will need time to develop, and the Browns don't have time on their side. Both had good combines and solidified their status as the top two quarterbacks in the draft, but the Browns don't want to pass on Garrett and then have to sit Trubisky or Watson for a period of time.

Again, they know they can't afford another disastrous season, and don't have the luxury of a developmental quarterback at the top spot.

However, depending on how the quarterback dominoes fall over the next week or so, Trubisky and/or Watson could still be available to the Browns at No. 12.

Or, with two picks in the second round, they could trade back up from No. 12 and grab Trubisky or Watson in the top 10. There's talk the 49ers (No. 2) will trade for Kirk Cousins and that either the Bears (No. 3) or Jets (No. 6) will sign Tampa Bay's Mike Glennon. If those things happen, the Browns might still be able to come away with Garrett at No. 1 and either Trubisky or Watson at 12 or earlier.

I believe they liked Trubisky better before the combine, but Watson is closing the gap -- especially with his accuracy in Indianapolis -- and they'd likely be happy with either one. They still have private workouts and visits coming up with both players, and their rankings could change.



But if they can't get Garoppolo with that No. 12, they still might be able to get one of these guys -- and that would still be a tremendous first round.

3. Terrelle Pryor

The Browns really want Pryor back, but at the right price. His agents believe he'll hit the jackpot on the open market and be paid like an elite receiver. If he gets the offer he's looking for (one source estimates that's somewhere between $13 million and $15 million a year), the Browns will probably let him walk. They love him, but don't want to overpay. If they were willing to pay him that much they would've franchised him.

I've been told he's received early inquiries from the Steelers, Giants, 49ers, Titans and Eagles. The Steelers, however, don't have the cap space, and a source told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette they're "not interested'' in him "at $10 million a year."

Other teams, such as the 49ers and Titans do have the money, but will they be willing to pay go that high? The two-day negotiating window opened at noon today.

The Browns will have a chance to match or exceed any offers, but won't break the bank. They have contingency plans and Sashi Brown has said he "won't be panicked'' if his 1,000-yard receiver leaves. Chicago's Alshon Jeffery is the other top receiver on the market, but he's said he'd like to play for a contender. He's also looking to break the bank.

The 49ers have also released receiver Torrey Smith, the former Raven.

4. Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler on the radar

The Browns will likely pursue Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler among other free agents, a league source told cleveland.com.

He played for Jackson in Cincinnati, and the Browns might need a starting guard with Joel Bitonio and John Greco both coming off Lisfranc foot surgeries.

Zeitler is ranked No. 14 in the NFL's top 101 free agents of 2017, and is widely regarded as the best interior offensive lineman in free agency.

Zeitler recently told Sirius XM NFL Radio "I love Cincinnati, but I'm open to anything," Zeitler said. "It's an exciting time."