Cleveland Browns: 5 Thoughts On 2017 NFL Draft
By Peter Smith
When Do They Take A Quarterback?
Most believe that the Browns will take a quarterback with either their second or third pick of the draft, currently the 12th and 33rd picks of the draft. That could mean trading up or down from either of those spots to secure the passer they want.
Personally, I’d sit tight and make the pick at No. 12, but have discussed one potential trade up that could make sense. I do think that is where the Browns will select their quarterback for a few reasons.
This draft class is loaded and draft assets should be valued accordingly. Moving up to the fifth or sixth picks in the draft seem truly cost prohibitive given it would likely cost the 33rd pick of the draft and possibly a little more.
The other popular scenario is taking Garrett and another position player at No. 12, then trading back into the first round into the mid-20’s to get their quarterback. Whatever value they get in that player at 12, they lose in the assets required to trade up into the first round, likely more.
And for me, the non-quarterback possibilities available at 12 aren’t that much better than those that should be available at 33. Meanwhile, the quarterbacks could be dramatically different. For example, if I had to pick a position player at 12, I’d select Chidobe Awuzie from Colorado. He’s also the player I’m hoping is there at 33.
As unpopular opinion as it might be, if everyone after Myles Garrett was available at 12, the only players that stand out to me as attractive options are Marshon Lattimore, the corner from Ohio State, and O.J. Howard, tight end from Alabama. Not Jonathan Allen, not Malik Hooker, not Corey Davis. And even against Lattimore and Howard where the likelihood of them lasting to that point are infinitesimal, I might take Awuzie at 12.
The Browns may not agree with that part of my reasoning, but in the 2016 NFL Draft when they liked a quarterback, they went ahead and grabbed Cody Kessler from USC in the third round. A selection which was panned for being a reach with some (myself included) arguing that he could be had late in the draft and potentially even after the draft. They even traded up to get him.
Reportedly, the Browns wanted Jacoby Brissett out of N.C. State, who was drafted by the New England Patriots before the Browns could get him, so they then took Kessler. If that is indeed the case, the Browns have already gotten a taste of missing out on a quarterback they liked in addition to taking a quarterback that critics thought they took far too early.
That would suggest the Browns, if they love a quarterback, will go ahead and grab their guy at No. 12. That is, unless their top ranked quarterback is someone so far out of the mainstream such as Joshua Dobbs from Tennessee that they are confident they can wait a little bit and still get them. If they love a quarterback, get him; don’t mess around and move onto the next issue.
That would ensure the Browns have a ton of flexibility to take advantage of the positions where this draft has a ton of depth, such as corner, free safety, and inline tight end. Even if it’s perceived as a slight reach by experts, if they love a quarterback, get him and use the nine other picks they have to make better value selections.