Cleveland Browns: John Dorsey in a tough spot in 2018 NFL Draft

Taking a backseat general manager’s look at the Cleveland Browns’ options in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft and what they can do.

Each year we consider all of the draft prospects available to our teams. We consider which we would like to have and which we would not. Some of us base our thoughts on criteria such as specific team needs, scheme fits, or in some cases it is a hometown favorite. Other times it could be something as irrelevant as a player having a name that we like that swings our vote.

While some reasons are admittedly silly and others overly analytical, some are simply good players with a good fit. Each of us develop our own ideas and anticipations in our own way. For some, like many of us pulling for the Dawg Pound, it can be the best part of the football calendar. Media personalities and various websites offer mock drafts, big boards, profiles and reports. Seemingly endless data and details are available for those that seek to find it.

Tight-lipped teams work frantically to study every aspect, both on the field and off, on essentially every prospect. Meanwhile, fans have the luxury of focusing on a handful of players and basing their opinions on the criteria of their choosing or articles they deem worth the read. I hope this is one by the way.

As fans, we have also have the benefit of not being in charge of the actual decision. Okay, you may think you know it all, but would you really want to be Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey over the next few weeks?

The NFL decision makers may envy the Browns position, but I certainly do not. I have a hard enough time deciding what sounds good for dinner. So I most certainly prefer the self-appointed backseat GM role.

Say, for instance, I like two players and have the benefit of the first and fourth picks, as Dorsey does. Sure, both will be available first overall, but which is more likely to be available with the fourth selection? Will either? Is one so valuable that I cannot afford to lose him to another team?

That line of thought leads me to believe that the quarterback we crave, could indeed wait until the fourth selection. If, that is, they have rated all four of the top signal-callers very closely. There is little arguing that both Saquon Barkley and Bradley Chubb have separated themselves from their relative packs at running back and edge rusher.

Some folks place Sam Darnold ahead of the quarterback group, whereas I do not hide my liking of Baker Mayfield. Granted, I did wish to see the entirety of Ohio State’s team pummell him and his planted-flag. I do miss seeing a Browns’ team with some spunk to it and have taken a liking to his cockiness.

That said, of the top quarterbacks, Darnold, Mayfield, Josh Allen and Josh Rosen — in whichever order you decide — none have really stood out above the others. If they have, I have not seen it. This is where the face to face meetings come into play, so who knows if Dorsey and company have honed in on a particular player.

They each could be tremendous players in the NFL, and likewise, they each could flop. So I would understand rolling the dice and waiting until the fourth pick to take a quarterback.

I can already hear the gasps and boos emanating from the crowd if that first pick is anything other than a quarterback. Imagine endless folks screaming “It should have been Darnold!”, or “How could you pass on Allen?”, everytime you fuel up your car or take your kids out to eat. Fun times, I’d imagine.

Dorsey must play his hand the best he can and fans can only hope it is to their liking, but not everyone will agree. I personally like the fire that a Baker (Mayfield) would bring — yes, it’s the name thing — but I also like the lightning-in-a-bottle playmaking ability of Barkley. Yet still, how would I assure getting both? I wouldn’t know who to take first — would you?

Dorsey’s only option as far as that goes is to take the shot without ever announcing his true target. In order to save your reputation as a marksman, one must shoot first and then claim that the target that you hit was your mark all along. The duo of Myles Garrett and Bradley Chubb wreaking havoc would be fun to watch and I would still be pleased with Darnold, or Allen if indeed Mayfield was off the board. So, there are several suitable targets within range.

I am not sold on Josh Rosen, however. I tend to envision the stink-eye Eli Manning offered when he was drafted and can see them both teaming up well in New York, although Ryan Leaf may be as disappointed as his own fans were. If you don’t like Cleveland, Cleveland won’t like you!

Trade considerations

I would hope that this year’s equity is proof that trading down has its benefits and if a team wants to sacrifice its future, I would be more than happy to oblige — Dorsey has stated that he would as well, in his own way. Every pick is for sale if the price is right.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Full 7-round projection

By the way, there have also been rumors of trade discussions with the Seattle Seahawks to move up to their 18th pick by way of a pair of our second round picks or some assortment of selections.

When all is said and done, the Cleveland Browns are in an excellent position and should be greatly improved in 2018. If I were John Dorsey, however, I would likely be off-my-rocker looney before ever getting to witness it.