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Cleveland Browns: Making Case to Forego Quarterback in Round 1

By Andrew Mills

May 9, 2014; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns first round draft picks Justin Gilbert (Oklahoma State) and Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) are introduced to the media with head coach Mike Pettine (left) and general Manager Ray Farmer (left) at the Cleveland Browns Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2014; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns first round draft picks Justin Gilbert (Oklahoma State) and Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) are introduced to the media with head coach Mike Pettine (left) and general Manager Ray Farmer (left) at the Cleveland Browns Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Since last making the playoffs in 2002, the Cleveland Browns have had 18 different starting quarterbacks. Even with no clear solution in place at the position, they should look elsewhere with the second overall pick in the 2016 draft.

To put it bluntly, the Cleveland Browns suck at drafting quarterbacks. In the last nine drafts, the Browns have selected four quarterbacks, three in the first round. The combined record of those picks? 16 wins and 45 losses.

Again in 2016, the Browns find themselves with a dreadful team that is holding a high pick in the NFL draft and in a position to take the first quarterback off of the board.

Unlike the 2015 draft where Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota were highly thought of by the majority of draftniks or 2012 where Andrew Luck was the consensus best player available, the perception of this year’s quarterback crop is more diverse.

Related Story: Browns 7 Round Mock Draft

Some draft experts rank California quarterback Jared Goff as the top prospect while others choose to go with North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz. There is even a smaller group that like Memphis’ Paxton Lynch more than the rest. In December, one NFL scout (courtesy of Daniel Jeremiah and Lance Zierlein of NFL.com) said that he’d “hate to be a team in need of a quarterback.”

The unfortunate truth for the Cleveland Browns is that none of these quarterbacks are without obvious flaws and that, coupled with their murky history with quarterbacks, is the main reason that they should forgo quarterback in the first round altogether.

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While experts have not been able to come to a consensus on the number one quarterback in this class, it is unanimous that overall there is some serious talent in the top 5-7 players. Cleveland, a team that hasn’t finished over .500 since 2007, could use an influx of talent at pretty much every position on their roster.

University of Mississippi tackle Laremy Tunsil would fill a hole on their offensive line that was created when Mitchell Schwartz left in free agency and could ultimately replace Jake Long down the road.

If the Browns do decide to forgo quarterback in round one, the table would be set for Robert Griffin III to begin 2016 as the starting quarterback in Cleveland. Griffin’s injury history is easily recalled by any fan of the league and would he benefit greatly from a offensive line book-ended by Long and Tunsil.

Sep 5, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (8) pumps up the crowd during the first half of the game against the Texas State Bobcats at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (8) pumps up the crowd during the first half of the game against the Texas State Bobcats at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive back Jalen Ramsey of Florida State, is a movable chess piece on defense. A playmaker who can line up at corner or safety, Ramsey drew comparisons from Jeff Dooley of Pro Football Focus to Charles Woodson. A Browns team that ranked 29th in Defensive DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) by Football Outsiders could use a lot of help on that side of the ball and Ramsey could blossom into a franchise player for the Browns.

Defensive end Joey Bosa of Ohio State is a player that most Browns fans already adore as he played for the in-state Buckeyes. At 6’5″, 275 pounds, Bosa is a three down defensive end that has the power to play against the run as well as the flexibility and burst to be an effective pass rusher. Bosa’s presence would not only improve the Browns defensive line as a whole but may help to rejuvenate Barkevious Mingo‘s sputtering career.

These are just three players that Cleveland would be wise to choose over a quarterback that isn’t pro ready, has questionable measurables and/or played against a lower tier of competition in college. Players like defensive end DeForest Buckner from Oregon and outside linebacker Myles Jack of UCLA look to be better prospects than any of the quarterbacks as well.

More nfl spin zone: Five Reasons Why the Browns Should Draft Jared Goff

The Cleveland Browns are not close to being a playoff team. They play in a division with three of the best teams in the AFC, they’re on their fifth coach in six years and their roster is an abject disaster. Regardless of who Cleveland drafts, they will almost certainly have a top 5 pick in the 2017 draft where the quarterback class looks like it may end up being more talented at the top.

Cleveland should use the pick on a player that has shown the competitiveness and measurables that are necessary to become a star in the NFL rather than reaching desperately for a quarterback and finding themselves with another Quinn, Weeden or Manziel.

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