INDIANAPOLIS _ No NFL organization wants a highly touted draft prospect to boycott being added to its roster, so hearing that UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen would be happy to play in Cleveland has provided some semblance of relief for the Browns.
Rosen recently told NFL Network there was "absolutely no foundation in reality" in ESPN's report from Dec. 24 that he prefers to play for the New York Giants instead of the Browns and would be hesitant to declare for the draft if he knew Cleveland would pick him first overall on April 26.
NFL Network's Michael Silver reported Rosen is "saying on the record he would happily play for the Browns" and he'll deliver the message in person to coach Hue Jackson, general manager John Dorsey and other members of the Browns when he meets with them this week at the NFL scouting combine.
Jackson likes what he's been hearing along those lines.
"It does feel good to know that _ that was not the report that came from (Rosen)," Jackson said Wednesday at the Indiana Convention Center. "That was not something that he said, and he corrected that."
Last year, defensive end Myles Garrett, in an ESPN-produced video, playfully asked the Dallas Cowboys to trade with the Browns and draft him first overall. But at the combine, Garrett apologized to the Browns and expressed his desire to help them reverse their fortunes. They eventually picked him at No. 1 overall, and now, on the heels of an 0-16 season, they have the top pick again, one spot before the Giants at No. 2.
Jackson alluded to the Garrett situation while explaining the Browns will ask Rosen about ESPN's report and his attitude toward Cleveland when they interview him at the combine.
A chance to look prospects in the eyes and address all types of issues is one of the most valuable aspects of the combine for teams, and the Browns will do so with all of the top-rated quarterbacks: Rosen, Southern California's Sam Darnold, Wyoming's Josh Allen and Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield.
Draft analysts have universally labeled Rosen the best passer in this class, but heading into the combine, most of them have predicted Darnold will be picked at No. 1 overall.
Jackson did nothing to dispel the widespread belief that the Browns will likely select one of those quarterbacks at No. 1 _ the team also has the No. 4 pick _ after choosing a non-QB last year atop the draft board. In fact, Jackson said there are "quite a few quarterbacks that we feel are going to be really good players" in the NFL.
"We truly believe that Myles Garrett is a special player and he's going to be a great player for the organization for the Cleveland Browns, so if there's another player like that and we think he's better than the quarterback position, then we'll have to consider that," Jackson said. "But I think there are some fine quarterbacks in this year's draft. There are four or five guys that everybody's talking about, and we're going to sort through that and see what's best.
"It's too early in the process to really talk about where they are, where they rank or anything like that. But I think obviously this is really the start of it, and you'll work through the combine, work through the pro days, the private workouts and all those things, and we'll get to know them more as we go through this process."
Jackson's mission statement last year was to find a quarterback who has good processing speed, arm talent and face-of-the-franchise qualities. After second-round pick DeShone Kizer went 0-15 as a rookie starter last season, Jackson has expanded the list this year.
"The guy's got to be able to win," Jackson said. "You got to be all those things you just mentioned (processing speed, arm talent and the ability to lead a franchise). But you also got to be able to take care of the football. I think that's a huge piece of this _ guy who can get you to winning, take care of the football and do all the things you just mentioned."
Jackson said he expects the Browns, including new offensive coordinator Todd Haley and new quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese, to collaborate while determining which QB to pick.
"But at the end of the day, I'm sure me and John (Dorsey) will sit down and put our heads together on what's best for our organization," Jackson said.
Jackson discussed some of the topics the Browns plan to delve into when they evaluate Rosen, Darnold, Allen and Mayfield at the combine in an effort to help themselves arrive at what will be a crucial decision.
