Potential Crazy NFL Draft Scenarios Affecting the Browns
Dec 1, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback
Brian Hoyer(6) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Crazy Scenario: The Browns don’t take a quarterback in their first 3 picks
Why It Could Happen: The Browns aren’t sold on any of top 3 (Bortles, Manziel, Bridgewater). Or they pass at #4 for Watkins (either hoping they’ll fall or just having that much want for Watkins) and other teams scoop them up, Raiders-Manziel, Vikings-Bortles and Cardinals-Bridgewater. The Browns go WR, OT and CB in some order because they believe these guys are more talented and can come in right away and win positions. They could also be targeting a guy later (Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger would be my choices) or really just have the top guys on par with the later guy/s and want to address other needs. You can really only use 1 quarterback so if he’s not going to be the guy to lead your team for 10 years it’s almost pointless to take him (I’m obviously talking first 2 rounds here). Or really some combination of some of these.
How It Affects the Browns: Since this already is about the Browns, I’ll look a little further into the future. Browns wait till 4th or 5th round to grab Murray or Mettenberger (like I said these are my choices but they could be anyone from a slipping Jimmy Garoppolo in the 3rd (who I would stay away from at all costs) to AJ McCarron to Connor Shaw). Brian Hoyer starts the whole season, Murray can’t beat him out throughout the season, and Hoyer finishes the season as the starter with just having an average year. The Browns, now fully loaded with talent still finish 8-8 but it’s clear that Hoyer isn’t the long-term answer and Murray doesn’t seem to be likely the option. With an 8-8 record the Browns get the 14th-19th pick (based on this year’s draft) and are on the outside looking in for Marcus Mariota, Brett Hundley, Jameis Winston (if he’s not in jail) or any of the top rated prospects (Bryce Petty will probably be here as well). Meaning the Browns were a year early of top picks and now have to trade up to get one, probably giving up a substantial amount, seeing as this is the main missing piece to their playoff and contender status. OR best case. Hoyer has some rust coming back, Murray comes to the field on fire and wins the job. He leads the Browns to their first playoff, though short, trip and becomes the Browns future leader due to great play by him and the play of the more talented roster thanks to using 3 top 35 picks on other needs.
Why It Probably Won’t Happen: The Browns haven’t been to the playoffs since 2002 and haven’t won a playoff game since 1994. A lot of that falls on the poor quarterback play which all stems from the Browns being out of position to grab a franchise changing quarterback (see here). The Browns are in position this year to substantially help the most important position on the field with 2-3 chances to get one of the top 3 guys in the draft (which most have 1st round grades on). The team is already taking shape and the Browns could really wait till the 3rd round to address the corner spot with Buster Skrine having a decent season last year and still unknown in Leon McFadden. Offensive line and wide receiver still have urgent needs and ILB could be thrown in there as well but neither is as important as quarterback.
Chances of It Happening: 1/10. If they’re targeting someone like Murray or Mettenberger this is a very real possibility, but the 1/10 chance is my belief that they’re not. I think they go Manziel #4 or even Bridgewater at #26 (or possibly #35 which could be a trade up).