The Browns and Negotiations with the First Pick....

let any of that slip for a bit until they totally make up their mind. I bet they hold on to this as long as possible to see if someone in the top 3 (I.E. Giants and Jets) offer something big to jump to 1.

It was a big deal when draft picks made a shit load of money. But now, things are "slotted". I don't recall negotiations for a first pick overall happening for some time now.

of the draftee contract slotting system?

Have started negotiating with players prior to the draft in a while. They haven't done it since the picks are now slotted.

due to the array of blue chip talent and the QBs, teams have been jockeying for position constantly. Expect it to continue until the Browns settle on strategy.

believe one guy is easier to sign than another (what if behind the scenes Darnold's guys are saying we don't want to play for Cleveland), then this would still be a thing. It is less about money and more about getting the guy on board.

Two that I can think of:
1. If they have one or two players at the top of their board, they can start negotiating now to ensure they get a guy they really want

2. Know who they want, but wait until they are on the clock to see if anyone (like the Giants) are will to give up significant value to get the pick. They can drop back a few slots and still get a guy they want

I think they wait.

the prime time 1st round of the draft, they want the question(s) of who will go where to be talked about up until the pick is actually made!

was the last 1st pick who was picked before the draft started, and that was only the day prior

I thought the Rams did it with Goff.

so what happens with the next 2 picks will effect them. Normally, the first pick can announce or let it be known because no other team can effect their pick. This year is different with the Browns sitting at 4 too. I don't expect us to know who they are picking until draft night.

might have done it with Goff, but remember - they traded up to the #1 spot.

Even then, I'm not sure they negotiated early, but if they had, they'd already made their move to trade up and had identified their target.

When rookie contracts were no longer bracketed there was a reason to start negotiating early for two reasons.

Obviously it gave the club more time to get a deal done and the player to camp on time.

It also gave the team some leverage with the implied...

"here is what we are offering for you to be the #1 pick. Or we can offer it to someone we have graded just as high as you."

is that they also have the 4th pick. It would not be wise for them to tip their hand on the first pick. If they do then the 2 and 3 would have more power. I would think that the real issue that the Browns face is that they are looking at which two players they will get not about who is the first pick.
Let all the predraft trades happen and then strategize about how to get the two players that they covet. Even if it means that their top choice is picked at 4.

NFL has asked them to wait unti draft night; adds more drama

In comment 13912605 Keith said:

Quote:

so what happens with the next 2 picks will effect them. Normally, the first pick can announce or let it be known because no other team can effect their pick. This year is different with the Browns sitting at 4 too. I don't expect us to know who they are picking until draft night.

Yup. Having the 4th pick complicates things, that's another variable that will impact what they do at 1. It doesn't really benefit them to act early here.

They've been in qb hell for so long. They've already got lots of picks. They need a few top players to lead the team.

...since the new CBA essentially 'slotted' the numbers for these guys as it was when it was an open negotiation and getting it done could cement your place as the #1 pick.

their target before the draft in the past ?