We should only trade up if the guy we want is there and the team we'd be trading with are on the clock. If we think Allen or Mayfield or whoever is our #1 guy, and he's available, I can understand that trade. I would think we wouldn't break the bank, but be willing to give up quite a bit. It would suck in terms of filling other needs, but if Keim sees his guy, he should be poking around and seeing if he can get him.
But because the Browns have the #1 and #4 pick, they could trade either one and take their QB (or not) with the other pick. That means if you trade for the #2 pick, someone could still trade for #1. Maybe Denver. Maybe the Jets. Maybe the Bills. Or someone else. So you have to do it on the clock.
I do not want to trade up for OUR 3rd or 4th guy. If it's the 1st or 2nd (perhaps they are closely rated), we could go get him. If it's our 3rd or 4th guy, we probably should see if they fall.
But I think we're forgetting that for each of these teams needing a QB, they might be eyeing one or two guys. They might not like all 4 or 6. Thus if their guy isn't there, they might pass on a QB. It is possible the guy we like, whoever that is, falls. Perhaps a small trade up, on the clock, if our #1 or #2 guy falls to 7-11. I say 7 as a possibility because of Licht. If Keim can swing a deal with anyone, it might be him. They have Winston and they worked together. Overall I'd say #7, 8 (Bears), 10 (Raiders) would be the most likely trade up partners.
Even #6 is a slight possibility. They may be willing to take a little less since they just got a windfall for dropping from 3 to 6. Not saying they would. Just that if they could parlay 3 to 6 to 15 or whatever and pick up a bunch of picks, they might think hard about the overall haul. They have said they are open to trading back again.
I wouldn't read too much into all the teams at various pro days, they have to do their due diligence. If they are going to try to select one, they have to go through the process for all the top tier or two guys.
If Denver's guy is gone, they still went out and got Keenum. They don't need a QB. They could pass.
As was said somewhere, maybe this thread, people have been hearing about Rosen and Mayfield for the Jets, not the other guys. What if Rosen and Mayfield are gone by #3? Could the Jets pass and pick up Barkley or Chubb?
Browns claim they have their starter, but that's probably smoke. Never know though.
If there is a run, and our guy is gone, I think we should look to trade back, and hopefully pick up a 2nd round pick. Then with either our 1st or one of the 2nd's, take one of the 2nd tier QB's. Maybe it's just a 3rd and a 4th or something like that.
If we can't trade back, hopefully there is a OL, CB, WR we like.