Will Cleveland Pass on Darnold to Select QB Allen No. 1?

Friend of Browns GM John Dorsey said the team will take Penn State running back Saquon Barkley with 4th pick.

Wyoming (17) Josh Allen (QB) drops back to pass during the San Diego Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl game between the BYU Cougars and the Wyoming Cowboys on December 21, 2016, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Wyoming (17) Josh Allen (QB) drops back to pass during the San Diego Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl game between the BYU Cougars and the Wyoming Cowboys on December 21, 2016, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

At Las Vegas sportsbooks, quarterback Sam Darnold is the overwhelming favorite to be drafted No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Browns during the NFL Draft later this month.

According to the oddsmakers, if the Browns pass on Darnold, quarterback Josh Rosen will be their selection.

If Sports Illustrated football guru Peter King is correct, this is one time when the house won’t win as it (almost) always does, as he expects the Browns will defy the odds and take Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen with the top pick.

A friend of Cleveland general manager John Dorsey told King the Browns will draft Allen and then follow that up by taking  Penn State running back Saquon Barkley with the fourth pick — assuming the New York Giants and New York Jets take quarterbacks with the second and third picks.

Based on what Browns head coach Hue Jackson said about the perception that the Browns will take Darnold at No. 1, King could be correct.

“We all know that could happen, but it could not happen, too,” Jackson said. “We’re open and very in the process and haven’t made that decision yet and we’re working towards it. But I don’t think any of those things are out of the possibility.”

Darnold, Allen, Rosen and top draft prospect Baker Mayfield are all visiting Cleveland this week.

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