Report: Browns GM Ray Farmer showing interest in Marcus Mariota

For the third time in four years, the Cleveland Browns could be taking a quarterback in the first round of the draft. 

According to NFL Network's Albert Breer, Browns general manager Ray Farmer has taken a liking to former Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, who could go as high as No. 1 overall in this year's draft. Cleveland holds the No. 12 and No. 19 overall picks.

And that's not all. Breer reported that Mariota has been preparing for the draft since mid-January with Kevin O'Connell, who is set to join the Browns as quarterbacks coach. 

O'Connell, who also worked with quarterback Johnny Manziel prior to the 2014 draft, hasn't officially been hired by the Browns yet, as he has some previous commitments (including Mariota) to finish first, Breer reported.

If the Browns are in fact showing interest in Mariota - or any quarterback, for that matter - it casts some doubt on Manziel's future in Cleveland. He struggled in his first season with the Browns and recently checked himself into rehab.