Weekly FoS 7 Round Browns NFL Mock Draft

Feb 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles throws the ball during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

#4 – Blake Bortles

With a number of options at the top of the draft Bortles may be the one QB the Browns might take for sure, if available. Bortles is big and strong with the ability to improve his footwork and mechanics that should add the needed velocity to the ball. He has the tools to be the best QB in this draft but also is a bust potential with his small school experience, lack of ideal ball placement and meteoric rise this last year. Sammy Watkins, Greg Robinson, Jadeveon Clowney and Khalil Mack are all instant starter types that would be an option here as well.

With Brian Hoyer on the team Bortles would not start right away, which goes against the Browns trying to compete immediately, but would give the team someone to bank on for the future. Big and strong Bortles should be able to handle the grind in the AFC North. His ability to move in the pocket, as well as run, works well in the Kyle Shanahan system. Bortles sitting for at least a year behind Hoyer gives the Browns a chance to work on the issues that he has. The Browns can hedge their bets a bit by drafting a QB later as well. Best case scenario is that Hoyer lights the world on fire this year, the Browns Franchise him giving Bortles more time to develop and move on to Bortles later. It worked out for the San Diego Chargers with Drew Brees and Philip Rivers.