According to the Boston Globe's Greg Bedard, the New England Patriots have been in talks with the Cleveland Browns about their No. 6 overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, which begins Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET.
Bill Belichick and company could package a couple of picks -- they have six of the first 92 picks, after all -- perhaps their two first round selections, Nos. 17 and 28 overall, to move up, with the target being Robert Quinn, a DE/OLB from North Carolina -- and a pass-rushing specialist.
Some aren't convinced that Quinn, who had surgery to remove a benign brain tumor in high school, can stand up full-time in the 3-4. The Patriots make those kind of conversion judgments every year, and went through it with Cunningham, who has the look of a solid player but is lacking as a pass rusher at this point.
Besides that, Quinn fits the Patriots' profile at the position at 6 feet 4 inches, 264 pounds, with 4.64 speed. In two seasons, he had 25 1/2 tackles for a loss and 13 sacks.
Quinn did not play in 2010 -- he was suspended by the NCAA for accepting benefits from an agent.
Besides Quinn though, the Patriots could also have their eyes on Patrick Peterson (CB, LSU) and Julio Jones (WR, Alabama).
In the latest SB Nation 2011 NFL Mock Draft, they have Quinn going to the Browns at No. 6, saying he "barely trumps [Auburn's DT] Nick Fairley."
The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28th and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it - NFL mock drafts, draft