Browns: No plan to trade McCoy

By Mary kay cabot

The Plain Dealer

BEREA

The Browns dismissed a report that they were shopping quarterback Colt McCoy on the second day of the NFL draft Friday, but haven’t ruled out trading him sometime in the near future now that Brandon Weeden is on board.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur also said a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Browns told McCoy Thursday that they wouldn’t draft a quarterback in the first round “was absolutely false. It’s ridiculous to think we’d consult with our players about our draft plans.”

If a team wants McCoy, it would probably only be willing to surrender a sixth- or seventh-round pick for him. The final four rounds of the draft take place today, beginning at noon. But a source said the Browns ideally would like to take a little time to think about what they want to do. They might also have to make a decision on Seneca Wallace, who’s set to make $2.4 million in 2012 and $2.85 million in 2013.

“We haven’t made any plans to do anything about anything yet,” said Shurmur. “We haven’t made any phone calls, we haven’t done anything in regards to Colt.”

Asked if McCoy will still be with the team when organized team activities begin May 22, Shurmur said, “Let’s not take it all the way out to May 22. As it stands right now, I’ve talked to Colt and we’re getting ready to draft [more players].”

He said he talked to McCoy Friday evening, but not about his role in the wake of the Browns drafting Weeden.

“He’s actually going to Dallas this weekend, which he had planned to do,” said Shurmur. “He’s fine. All we talked about was what we [were] going to do with the next two picks.”

The Browns’ second-round pick, the No. 37 overall, was something McCoy could’ve really used — a starting right tackle. They drafted California’s Mitchell Schwartz, who has experience playing on both sides, including the last two seasons on the left and 2009 on the right. Schwartz also played two seasons with Browns center Alex Mack at Cal.

The Browns traded their third-round pick — the No. 67 overall — to the Broncos for Denver’s 87th in the third round and 120th in the fourth round. They used the 87th pick on Cincinnati defensive tackle John Hughes, who will provide depth behind Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor.

“We got two big, tough physical guys that are going to help us,” said Shurmur.

The Browns didn’t draft any of the 12 receivers that went off the board, but Shurmur said he thinks Weeden will make the current receivers better.

“I believe so,” he said.

As of Friday afternoon, McCoy had no plans to ask for a trade, but would like an opportunity to compete with the Weeden for the starting job, a source said.