The Cleveland Browns holding the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft could prove to be a game-changer this offseason. While the team needs to find cost-effective talent due to their tight salary cap, there’s potential for creative moves, including trading the pick to bring in new talent.
Dan Orlovsky of ESPN suggested a bold idea involving the Browns trading either the No. 2 pick or Myles Garrett—what he called their “only two assets.” His proposal involves sending one of these assets to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for J.J. McCarthy.
“They’re $63 million over the cap for next year. So you’re not replacing the quarterback position with something expensive,” Orlovsky said on January 10. “You have to find a cheaper option. The only two assets of significant value the Browns have are the No. 2 pick and Myles Garrett.
“I would explore, and I think the Browns will at some point need to explore, calling the Minnesota Vikings to see if they’d part with J.J. McCarthy. If they don’t like their draft options, they need to ask, ‘Are you willing to move on from McCarthy?’ He’s affordable, and if they liked him coming out of college last year, it’s worth considering a deal around Garrett or the No. 2 pick.”
Insider Sees McCarthy as a Trade Possibility
The Minnesota Vikings face their own challenges. McCarthy, taken with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, hasn’t yet played in a regular-season game after suffering a torn meniscus.
Sam Darnold, however, has thrived in Minnesota, leading the team to a 14-3 record. Even if the Vikings believe McCarthy has long-term potential, Darnold’s success makes it difficult to justify moving on from him, even with the higher cost of retaining him.
If the Vikings decide to trade McCarthy, the Browns could capitalize. McCarthy’s upside is highly regarded, with analysts like ESPN’s Mel Kiper suggesting he’d likely be the top quarterback prospect in the 2025 draft class.
“I think J.J. McCarthy would be the guy,” Kiper said on January 8 on UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio. “He’s younger than Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, and despite the injury, he’s shown more potential. If you compare his grade last year to this year’s quarterbacks, he’d be No. 1—higher than Drew Allar, Cam Ward, or Shedeur Sanders.
“The Vikings’ decision will hinge on how Sam Darnold performs in the playoffs. If Darnold plays well, McCarthy could be traded. If he doesn’t, they’ll likely keep McCarthy and franchise tag Darnold to see how it plays out. The McCarthy situation will be fascinating to watch. Do they commit to him, or do they move on?”
Would McCarthy Be an Upgrade for the Browns?
Trading Myles Garrett would be difficult for the Browns to justify. Garrett is a cornerstone of the team, both on and off the field, and is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s top defensive players.
However, the No. 2 pick could be in play if there isn’t a player the Browns love in the draft. McCarthy’s injury raises concerns, but his college performance at Michigan was impressive.
While it’s hard to determine if McCarthy would immediately upgrade the Browns at quarterback, given his lack of NFL experience, the team’s inconsistent quarterback play last season suggests that any change might be an improvement.
