If the latest rumors are true, the Johnny Manziel era in Cleveland could be over before it ever really began.
It was announced yesterday that the young signal-caller had entered a treatment facility for alcohol abuse and with the Browns front office already concerned with his NFL future and potential to become a franchise quarterback, GM Ray Farmer may be planning a big move up in next April's NFL Draft to select Oregon quarterback, Marcus Mariota.
"In talking to sources within the Browns organization - they have both the No. 12 and No. 19 overall picks in the first round of this year's draft - there's going to be very strong consideration for moving up for a quarterback," Bleacher Report's Jason Cole said. "They were already thinking about that because they like Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston to a lesser degree. But they really think they need to have that franchise quarterback and there were already doubts about Johnny Manziel and his ability to become that guy."
Manziel has been dogged by issues of alcohol and drug abuse and an unfortunate focus on his social life over his career as a professional football player since the day he entered the league.
It now sounds like Farmer and the rest of the Browns brass has already had enough and could be prepared to package their two first-round draft picks to bring Mariota into the fold.
"In light of what has gone on with Manziel and add in what they've gone through with Josh Gordon so far, there is a tremendous amount of fear for the future here and there is a very strong consideration of going to get somebody, especially Mariota, who they really like and who would be a proper face of the franchise and a guy who is far more dependable than the guys that they've had there so far. "
Despite the fact that Mariota and Manziel both have a Heisman Trophy to their name and an abundance of talent both running and throwing the football, the two could not be more different off the field.
This may end up being the determining factor and impetus behind a draft day move-up for the Browns.
