NFL Draft 2012: The Cleveland Browns Case For Drafting Robert Griffin III

In my mock drafts up until now, I have consistently said the Browns will trade up to get Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. Just as consistently, I have had people say it won’t happen. Let’s have a look at why this trade makes sense.

First of all, let’s look at the trade itself. In my Mock Draft Special Trade Edition, I outlined the details I believe would be in the trade:

"St Louis – first (2nd overall), second, 2013 fifth; Cleveland – first (4th overall), first (22nd overall), fifth, 2013 third"

When you break it down, the Browns trade their second first-round pick for a second-rounder in order to move up. That’s the 34th pick in the draft, which is a very valuable pick. At pick, 34 they should get a very good WR. In my extended mocks that I do for my own benefit, I have the Browns getting Alshon Jeffery to compliment Griffin.

Other options with that pick will possibly include players like tight end Coby Fleener, cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins — if a team doesn’t overpay and take him in the first round — and Chase Minnifield, inside linebackers Vontaze Burfict and Dont’a Hightower, offensive tackles Mike Adams and Zebrie Sanders and defensive tackles Dontari Poe and Brandon Thompson.

Closely related to this is that Cleveland would also have the 36th pick which, is the fourth pick in the second-round. It is fair to assume that a majority of the players mentioned above would still be available at that pick. But also there’s the fact that because those two picks are so close together the Browns can then afford to auction off one of those picks to a team like Seattle, Miami, Washington or Arizona who may look to trade up to get one of the second-round quarterbacks — Brandon Weeden, Ryan Tannehill, Nick Foles and Kirk Cousins being the principles guys here.

The thing to remember is that the Browns may have plenty to do, but at some stage you have to get a quarterback. You can’t always get a quarterback at the opportune time.

Look at Indianapolis. It took them a few years after drafting Peyton Manning before they were really able to take advantage of his skill. However, had they not taken Manning, the Colts would have ended up not missing out one of the two best quarterbacks of the the decade.

Browns fans who say the Browns shouldn’t take RG3 say it’s because they’re thinking long term. In fact, they need to get him BECAUSE they’re thinking long term. Draft the franchise quarterback when he shows up and then build around him as you train him in the intricacies of the NFL. Then when you have built a good team you’ll have a quarterback who’s ready for them in a few years.

Make no mistake about it, if Cleveland drafts Robert Griffin III they may indeed end up looking the way the Jacksonville Jaguars did in 2011 when they drafted Blaine Gabbert. However, the Jags are still building their team and they’re not hurrying to win right now because they recognize their team needs alot of work, which was why Gabbert didn’t start the season and why he wasn’t ready when the Jags starting quarterback Luke McCown.

Griffin is far more likely to start for Cleveland should he be drafted but they could roll with Colt McCoy to start with if they felt they needed time or possibly Seneca Wallace.

How many franchise quarterbacks are out there? Very few. Can you afford to miss out on one when you have the ability to pay for him? Absolutely not. The Browns should draft RG3 – or they will regret it for a very long time.

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