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Quarterback Ryan Mallett is not a player the Cleveland Browns have an interest in acquiring, The Plain Dealer has learned.
(AP)
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Contrary to reports, the Browns aren't interested in trying to trade for Patriots backup quarterback Ryan Mallett, a source told The Plain Dealer today.
The source said the Browns have not and will not call about Mallett.
Earlier this morning, The Plain Dealer reported that there was chatter on the street that the Browns might try to make a pitch for the 2011 third-rounder, whom Browns general manager Mike Lombardi liked coming out of Arkansas.
Later, the Boston Herald reported that the Browns have continued to show interest in Mallett, and that Cleveland and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had inquired about Mallett earlier this offseason, to no avail.
The Boston Globe also reported that the Patriots are fielding calls for Mallett and that they want at least a second-round pick. The Browns currently have no second-round pick.
Mallett, 6-6, 245, could have been a top-five pick had he come out in 2010, but he went back to Arkansas and slipped to the third round. Lombardi, who was working as an analyst for NFL Network at the time, said during the draft that the Patriots had Mallett rated as their top quarterback in the class.
Lombardi also praised Mallett and predicted he'd be one two successful quarterbacks from the group, including Blaine Gabbert.
Mallett slipped to the third-round, where the Patriots picked him 74th overall. He had a public intoxication charge to overcome and also reportedly told teams of his previous drug use during Combine interviews.
Hours before tonight's draft, rumors continue to circulate about what the Browns might do. NFL Network's Solomon Wilcots, who is reporting from Cleveland, said the "Browns want no part of" trading up to No. 3 with the Raiders, a possibility that Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday night.