No Star Quarterback Drafted Early Should be Key for Cleveland Browns

It is that time of the year again: Draft Time! The Cleveland Browns in just over two weeks have crucial decisions to be made by Ray Farmer and the front office. The team has many holes to fill in order to be in a position to be relevant again and that includes at quarterback but they cannot keep scouting and selecting the position the way they have in the past.

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If Marcus Mariota becomes somehow in play, I would be in favor of trading up or standing pat and selecting the talented quarterback. However, if he is not available and with the rest of the prospects after him not considered face of the franchise players, the Browns main focus should be acquiring people who can score and stop the run. DeVante Parker, a wide receiver from Louisville is a number one on a depth chart who the fans and Cleveland’s front office would certainly love to have.

Run stoppers and EDGE rushers options are definitely going to be considered to help fix the worse defense against the run last year. University of Washington’s Danny Shelton, Malcolm Brown of Texas, and Shane Ray of Missouri are some of the top talents that will be selected early that fill that criteria. There is expected to be a variety of wide receivers, offensive linemen, and defensive linemen who are top fifteen projected, with some in the top ten that would fit in well with the team.

It is certainly a gamble not selecting a quarterback at all, which I highly doubt will happen. They could however go the route of drafting a mid to late round pick and hope for the next Russell Wilson, but that is no sure thing. Cleveland’s current options at quarterback are Josh McCown, Connor Shaw, Johnny Manziel, and Thaddeus Lewis; certainly not an ideal situation but should be manageable.

McCown has shown his ability to do a serviceable job when needed outside of last year. If McCown does do the job and gets through games this year, this allows the team to acquire a younger veteran or a nice draft prospect next year. Cleveland will get their long term quarterback and that could happen soon but when that actually happens is the million dollar question. Shaw could be a decent back up but his arm strength is questionable and Lewis is a journeyman who is not the answer.

Nov 30, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The wild card is Manziel who just was released from rehab and has a lifestyle with problems on and off the field, which raises serious concerns. He could be the guy for the next ten years but I do not believe he is the answer long term. If he can provide solid play that is great, however I would not expect him to provide much this upcoming season.

The fans of this team wants a winner now and I agree completely but if the options do not offer stability long term, another year waiting for the guy to be acquired as the franchise quarterback of the team will have to happen.

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