Cleveland Browns Will Scout Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer Saturday

Sep 24, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) runs for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) runs for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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This weekend, the Cleveland Browns will have a front row ticket at their next potential quarterback.

Since the Cleveland Browns return in 1999, one thing has been the ultimate struggle: Finding their franchise quarterback. With another regime looking for “their guy”, will they actually find it?

Current rookie quarterback Cody Kessler is being looked at hard, but it is doubtful he is going to be looked at long-term. A better prospect is enticing the Browns and that is Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer.

Cleveland will be one of eight teams watching and scouting in-person the Irish signal-caller on Saturday versus Stanford. Based off of who Notre Dame faces, there is not a better live opponent to watch Kizer go up against.

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Given Cleveland’s inability to find an answer is beyond mind-blowing dating back to last century. Yet, look at what the Browns have done this season. Due to injuries and level of play, they have already played five players at quarterback! Five!

Cleveland does have two first round picks next season.. unless they trade again. If the Browns do decide to go quarterback in the first round, they have the resources to do so. Then with the other first rounder, Cleveland could add help the along the offensive or defensive lines; Maybe even a running back of wide receiver.

For some, Kizer and Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson have been viewed as the best at the position. One player who does not get as much hype, but could in fact be the first quarterback taken is Miami (FL) quarterback Brad Kaaya. In fact, I have Kaaya as my top quarterback at the moment, but it is neck and neck with Kizer.

On the season, Kizer has completed 58.8% of his completions. In six games, Kizer has thrown for 1,621 yards, 14 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also rushed for six touchdowns.

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Kizer has the tools to be a very good quarterback, perhaps even franchise-level. However, Cleveland must do their due diligence. For example, not being named overwhelmingly as the Irish’s starter should be a bit concerning.

Just imagine Kizer leading a healthy and talented Browns offense. Doing so now may be tough, but remember how Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton turned around the defending NFC Champions’ offense. I know, it is high praise, but Kizer is growing into that kind of player.

As Cleveland evaluates options for next year’s draft, they must figure out what strategy they are going to use. If it to build the team and plug-in the quarterback later (Seattle Seahawks come to mind), then Kessler may be around for a while. Or, will Cleveland go another way.

I mentioned earlier about how Cleveland could go QB early, while still adding a key piece somewhere to complete the signal-caller. There is one key condition though to build the team that way: This upcoming offseason, Cleveland must spend money on free agents.

That way, Cleveland can fill holes in the roster. Simultaneously, the Browns would add resources in the same way as other recently successful rebuilds (Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars, among others).

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If you have not watched Notre Dame yet, try to watch their game Saturday. You will be impressed by Kizer. Very likely, in a few months the possible hype could grow to the point where it is not a matter of if Kizer could join the Browns, but when.