Potential Crazy NFL Draft Scenarios Affecting the Browns
Jan 1, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Central Florida Knights quarterback Blake Bortles (5) against the Baylor Bears during the Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Central Florida defeated Baylor 52-42. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Crazy Scenario: No Quarterbacks are taken in the 1st round
Why It Could Happen: Every team in QB need goes talent over need (based on what the evaluators say). To some/most this isn’t considered a highly talented quarterback class. Most have Bortles, Manziel and Bridgewater outside their top 10, even some outside their top 15, with some even having 2nd round grades on 1 or 2 of them. Houston goes Clowney, Rams-Robinson, Jags-Mack, Browns-Watkins, Oakland Raiders–Jake Matthews, Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Evans, Minnesota Vikings–C. J. Mosley or Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Arizona Cardinals–Ryan Shazier, Browns could trade up to get a potentially slipping OT or stay put and grab the best available OT or CB. Neither of the later teams are interested in trading their picks, thinking this one player will be the one player to get them over that hump. Very possible considering how deep this class is. A lot of evaluators seem to think it misses that top end talent (outside of Clowney, Robinson, Mack and Watkins) but it stays solid from 10-30.
How It Affects the Browns: The Browns are in a golden spot to get one of the three in the early 2nd round. Only Houston and the Washington Redskins sit in front of them. Houston will probably go quarterback here leaving only Washington in their way. Washington already has RG3 and even if they were worried about him medically they still have Kurt Cousins so a quarterback isn’t happening here. What could happen is a trade, though if you’re team just finished 3-13 and your first pick is 34 are you really looking to trade further down with potential first round talent still on the board. Even if a trade is likely, the Browns will more than likely get the last and best shot at it being only a pick away and having a stockpile of picks later. Either way it leaves the Browns with grabbing 2 1st round talents (let’s say Watkins and Kyle Fuller from Virginia Tech, I’m deathly afraid of Bradley Roby but that’s for another day) and more than likely the quarterback they would had sitting at #4 if it went quarterback heavy.
Why It Probably Won’t Happen: A lot of teams this year are quarterback hungry after letting their previous starters crash and burn. The Texans, Jaguars, Browns, Raiders, Buccaneers, Vikings and even Cardinals are looking for someone. I can’t see the Vikings or Cardinals passing on Bortles or even Manziel if they fall that late. Also not seeing the Browns skipping on their quarterback if he’s there at #26 ( I could actually see them trading up to get in front of the Cardinals). Also there’s wildcards in the draft, just like every-year. If Bortles is there at 24, do the Cincinnati Bengals grab him and trade Andy Dalton? (Find out later in this article). I fully believe that if all 3 are available later in the first round a lot of these teams are making calls to sneak back into the 1st round to jump in front of Houston.
Chances of It Happening: 0/10. I’ve heard rumors but can’t see a scenario where this would happen. They might not have top 5 talent in this year’s draft but they’re definitely 1st rounders and some team will take him. Probably early. I mean, we’re talking about the most important position on the field. I don’t think any other sport has a position as valuable as quarterback (for a future article or for you to get upset about in the comments section. Disqus will love that).