So maybe is it just possible the Browns can take an approach and build up the rest of the roster and leave a weakness at QB? We saw just how bad the Colts were in Peyton Manning’s last year in Indianapolis.
They went from a continuous double digit win team to the worst team in football without him. Maybe the Browns throw Cody Kessler out there for a year to hold them over and because the most important position is weak the team struggles and gets another high pick but the parts are in place to flip the switch.
Not only do you not give up any picks this year for either one of those two QBs mentioned previously, but you still get good draft position for next year and keep the extra picks. As a Browns fan I am 100% ok with another bad season to see that happen because free agency 2018 could set it all off in motion quick.
Say the team isn’t interested in a veteran free agent QB. The team might have a bad enough record that they could get a QB of their liking at that spot next year. Maybe they could package up some of their extra picks and move up to get their guy as well. Things change from year to year and QBs rise and fall but it seems like next year might have a much better chance of being a great QB class compared this one.
Sam Darnold from USC, Josh Rosen from UCLA, Josh Allen form Wyoming, Mason Rudolph from Oklahoma State, Luke Falk of Washington State, Jake Browning from Washington, Baker Mayfield from Oklahoma, Lamar Jackson from Louisville, and Max Browne of Pitt are all potential names for next year’s draft.
Percy E.
April 6, 2017 at 2:01 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing this. I am praying that this is the front office thinking. There’s no QB that I’m certain in this year draft and I understand that there’s no QB pick that you are ever certain. Looking at the people that get paid to do this for a living, they aren’t sold and are all over the place. It seems to me that this year’s crop has more questions than most. My argument is moot if they really like one of these guys, then by all means draft him, but don’t draft a QB just to draft one because every one is saying you should. I have 2 points to add to the article and they both would be considered “break glass” options for most fans. 1) AJ McCarron would be restricted next year and I’m sure Cincinnati will place a 1st round tender on him. If you can’t trade up to be in position for one of the top QBs in next year’s draft, then sign McCarron and use your 1st on McCarron IF coach truly likes him. 2) This is where people will think I’m crazy. Develop Brock! There are several reasons to develop him as well as humanly possible. I’m not saying he is the answer. What I saw in Houston would say no, but can we trust Bill O’Brien ability to develop QBs. He has started 9 QBs in 3 years! Are we sure it’s Brock and not him? If we had signed Brock last year to this contract, I feel most fans (and some Browns coaches) would have been celebrating in the streets. At least he had more starts and film tape than Jimmy (don’t get me started on him) Garoppolo at that point. Here’s the positives for Brock 1) Insurance. We were told to “trust” on Kessler. I didn’t like the pick but the kid played solid. Give him a chance but keep a vet for insurance. If you cut Brock, you have to sign one. Keep the one we have to pay for anyway 2) Trade. Either the closer we get to the season, or maybe next year, you might get something from him if you can develop him by having him show some positive tape in the preseason or season. If he’s awful, cut him at the end of preseason or after the season. You are in no worse shape than you were before. 3) He could be the guy. *whisper voice*. Probably only a 5% chance, but just maybe…
Bob Stalnaker
April 6, 2017 at 3:37 pm
Very well thought out.
Two things: a) give Kessler a bit more credit. What he did last year, being #5 in adj. completion % with a terrrible defense, a bad O-line and Cam Erving at center is phenomenal. Kessler’s NFL Passer Rating exceeded a LONG list of top notch QBs last year, again, how he did that with such roadblocks in front of him like the poor defense and O-line is incredible.
b) as to “numerous rebuilds from this franchise” … this reboot by the Sashi, Paul and Andrew regime is the first true reboot. Those other so-called “rebuilds” were lame, shoddy attempts or worse, such as Inane Ray Farmer’s disaster he laid upon the Browns.
Although Higgins, Louis and Payton were not give any reasonable chance or co chance at all in 2016 as Hue Jackson blew it big by giving Andrew Hawkins snaps I like your idea of adding a WR for reasons you stated. O.J. Howard at 12 would be huge for the offense also, but CLE needs to focus the rest of the draft on S, CB, and perhaps a LB. End of the Tank Carder era.
Dan Y
April 13, 2017 at 3:37 pm
I think the Browns have a real sleeper in Kevin Hogan, the former Stanford QB. No one talks about him…give him a chance. Why not? And he didn’t play all that bad when pressed into action on short notice with very little preparation last year.