Cleveland Browns: No Need To Draft Two Quarterbacks
By Ryan Rosko
![May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns fans cheer after Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) is selected as the number twenty-two overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns fans cheer after Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) is selected as the number twenty-two overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d38fb338be47ef5ceb1452159fb2d87c2bc2ca44a2e8f311b4820b8c8bf85623.jpg)
Adding multiple quarterbacks to the Cleveland Browns quarterback position is not the best route to go this offseason.
A new face of the franchise is needed at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, but unfortunately, there is no guarantee they will land him this offseason. Cleveland’s best chance to acquire such a player is during the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft.
For one reason after another dating back to 1999, the Cleveland Browns have not been able to solidify the quarterback position. The two likeliest players who are under consideration to stop that streak are North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz and California’s Jared Goff. Assuming Cleveland goes quarterback in first round, whoever is the selection must be the only quarterback added.
Once one of those players is selected, that QB should be given every opportunity to start from day one. If for whatever reason, he is not ready to start Week 1, that is fine since the Cleveland Browns already have solid depth at the position.
Adding a second quarterback in the draft puts the Browns in a situation similar to what the Washington Redskins have gone through with Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins. No one wants to play that game if the first round quarterback struggles, should the “X” round quarterback get a shot to play?
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Adding competition is a great thing. However, a first round quarterback will already have veterans Josh McCown and Austin Davis on the roster. Both of those players, especially the former can be a great benefit to a rookie quarterback who wants to take the time out to achieve success.
Since there are so many other needs to fill on the roster, the Cleveland Browns need to acquire talent, preferably on offense with most of their picks. Should Cleveland add their quarterback of the future in the first round, the rest of the draft can go (hopefully) by their plan to acquire talent with the most important position taken care of.
If (when) the Cleveland Browns select Wentz or Goff, the future instantly becomes brighter. Adding the QB with head coach Hue Jackson has the making to be a great long-term pair.
Should Cleveland postpone drafting a quarterback with their second overall pick, they better not wait too long in the draft. After Wentz and Goff, then there is Memphis’ Paxton Lynch and Michigan State’s Connor Cook.
There is a drop-off between the two pairings, and the drop-off even moreafter Lynch and Cook. Those are the four quarterbacks in whichever order you would like who should be drafted first at this time. Following those players, the next quarterback should not be drafted until day three of the draft.
Not drafting a second quarterback could help the Browns by allowing them to use that draft pick in a trade to move up and select a play-maker if they wanted. Things are likely going to change to a degree due to free agency, but multiple picks should still be used on wide receivers, linebackers, among other positions.
Although it may be tempting to draft a second quarterback, that cannot be a priority.
Next: Browns: There's Many Options With The 32nd Pick
At the end of the day, the Cleveland Browns need to take a quarterback with their first pick and add talent to help that specific quarterback during the rest of the 2016 NFL Draft.