What I Want: 7 Round 2014 NFL Mock Draft for the Cleveland Browns
Feb 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron throws the ball during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
#123 – AJ McCarron
It will not surprise regular FoS readers to see a second QB selected here. I am starting to love the idea of McCarron as the 3rd string QB for the Browns next year. If Hoyer gets hurt McCarron, not Bortles, should be able to step in and give the Browns stability at the position. McCarron does not have the upside of Bortles but is a steady, heady QB that could be a competent starter in the NFL. I am not someone who roots for the Browns to have competence at the position, I want excellence. McCarron provides competition for Bortles to improve and becomes a long term trade piece for teams looking for a backup to come in and start for them. Worst case for the Browns is that Bortles busts and McCarron is their starting QB, we don’t expect either to happen but at the QB position you have to be prepared. McCarron may not fall this far, as QBs are often targeted a round higher then their talent but I would be okay taking him with our second 3rd rounder if we felt strongly about him. Aaron Murray is another option here.