The plot thickens.

The plot always seems to thicken for the Browns when they are at or near the top of the NFL Draft, which is certainly the case this year with the fact they have the Nos. 1 and 4 overall picks.

The New York Jets traded up with Indianapolis on Saturday to get the Colts’ No. 3 overall selection. So they are right between the Browns’ two choices.

Like the Browns, the Jets are starving for a quarterback – their franchise quarterback, that is.

So if the Browns, who, in essence, control the front of the draft, had any thoughts of waiting until No. 4 to get their quarterback – which I seriously doubt they did – then they are going to have to re-think it. No, they will have to scrap it.

The Browns have the chance to get the pick of the litter of the four top-rated quarterbacks, and they may – may is the operative word here – also be able to get running back Saquon Barkley, who is considered by many to be the top player in the draft, at No. 4. What a haul that would be.

To make sure they get that opportunity, though, the New York Giants may have to get out of the way by trading out of their No. 2 overall choice. It is not believed that the Giants, even with aging Eli Manning as their quarterback, are interested in taking a quarterback there. They could well have their sights set on Barkley. So a team looking to jump ahead of the Jets and take the No. 2 quarterback off the board – which is why you would make that kind of trade — will have to do business with the Giants, who may be more than willing to deal.

Could the Jets be the team wanting to make a second leap in the top four? Would the Giants be willing to do business with the club that shares MetLife Stadium with them?

Would the Browns – gulp! – be willing to trade out of No. 1? Or perhaps No. 4?

Or – double-gulp! – both?

Perish the thought.

All that remains to be seen.

But whatever the case, it’s getting crowded – and pushy – among the top four spots. So let the drama begin.

But it had already begun. So just crank up that drama even more.