Blake Bortles will visit Cleveland Browns
UCF QB Blake Bortles throws the ball during the 2014 NFL Combine. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
UCF Knights quarterback Blake Bortles is still in the running to be the top quarterback taken in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, but there are several analysts who believe that his game isn’t developed enough to merit a first-round pick. He stares down receivers, isn’t consistently accurate, and displays immature decision-making after playing in an offense that allowed him to quickly throw it to his first read. He has clear franchise QB upside, very good athletic ability, excellent leadership qualities, and a strong arm, but there are holes to his game that could prevent him from being taken in the top five- much less the top ten.
ESPN’s Adam Caplan first reported that Bortles’s visit with the Texans today would be his last visit or private workout of the pre-draft process, but Caplan has now learned that the touted QB prospect has one more visit left, which will take place next week with the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns are another top-five pick suitor for Bortles, but there’s always been smoke that the Browns or Texans could take a top skill position player with their first pick and aim for a quarterback later on. In the Texans case, that would be with the first overall pick in the second round. However, the Browns have the ability to pick up a QB in with the 26th pick or with their second round pick, so they could find some value if someone like Teddy Bridgewater or Bortles takes a slide. I think the Browns are best off taking a quarterback they are sold on first, unless if they are sure he will slip. QB is clearly their biggest need, and they are a franchise QB away from being serious playoff contenders with two other high picks under their belts and a team that includes players like Josh Gordon, Jordan Cameron, Joe Thomas, Alex Mack, and Joe Haden (just to name five).