Report: Patriots shopping backup QB Ryan Mallett; Browns the favorite
Several teams are reportedly interested in the New England Patriots backup QB Ryan Mallett (left). (AP)
Several teams have called the Patriots inquiring about the team's backup quarterback Ryan Mallett, according to the Boston Globe. The Patriots have not confirmed that they will trade Mallett, a 2011 third-round pick. But three league sources said it was more likely that Mallett would be traded than kept by the Patriots.
The team has been heavily scouting quarterbacks leading up to the draft.
The Browns are considered the favorite to land Mallett. From the Boston Globe report:
Not only did Browns general manager Mike Lombardi gush about the trade on NFL Network, but behind the scenes, Lombardi pushed Bill Belichick to take Mallett.
Mallett, 24, played in four games last season and had one completion in four attempts.
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According to the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe, the Patriots would want at least a second-round pick for Mallett:
