ESPN’s Todd McShay Mock Draft: Cleveland Browns Take Jared Goff At No. 2

In the latest ESPN Todd McShay mock draft, the Cleveland Browns would take Cal’s Jared Goff with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

The Cleveland Browns will take Jared Goff in Todd McShay’s NFL Mock Draft 3.0. This is a change from McShay’s first mock, which had Cleveland selecting Memphis junior Paxton Lynch.

Here’s what McShay had to say about the Browns at No. 2 (subscription required):

“If Joey Bosa is still on the board here for whatever reason, he would be a good option. But quarterback is undoubtedly Cleveland’s top need, and the more tape I study, the more I believe it’s a two-horse race between Goff and North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz for the No. 1 passer. As it stands now — after studying five of Goff’s games this season and four of Wentz’s — the two have identical grades. From Cleveland’s perspective, Goff has a bit more velocity on his fastball to cut through the wind, while Wentz has more experience playing in the cold. Tough call, but I’ll go with Goff for now.”

A few thoughts…

–The Browns need a quarterback. A LOT of Browns fans are also Ohio State Buckeye supporters. If Bosa is still on the board, and the Browns go with Goff or Wentz, they better be right about the quarterback.

-Bosa could be successful in a 3-4 defense, but I’m not willing to make that gamble if I’m the Browns at No. 2. Enough projecting. If you’re going to take Bosa at No. 2, they better switch to the 4-3, which they won’t because Ray Horton’s their defensive coordinator and he plays the 3-4. This franchise can’t afford a project with the second overall pick, which is what Bosa would be if Cleveland tries to make him play in the 3-4.

-I don’t care about cold weather. Ask another Cal quarterback about playing in the cold. I’m sure Aaron Rodgers will tell you he’s doing just fine. I do care about arm strength, and I want Goff even more after reading about the velocity on his throws.

-Jimmy Haslam wouldn’t hire me because I only have a Kent State education, but Goff’s arm strength is good enough to win in Cleveland. Take that, as well as his ability anticipate the location of this throws; and that should make him the front runner among Sashi Brown, Paul DePodesta and the rest of Jimmy Haslam’s Harvard Brain trust.

-Wentz has virtually come out of nowhere thanks to the practice week leading up the Senior Bowl. McShay projects the North Dakota State product to be picked by the Cowboys at No. 4. It was easy to get caught up in the Wentz hype, but remember…Goff wasn’t at the Senior Bowl, because he’s only a junior.

-Isn’t mock draft season great. In only his second version, McShay has changed his mind. Instead of Lynch, the Browns are taking Goff. What did Lynch do to change McShay’s mind? McShay has Lynch going to the Rams at No. 15. He wrote that he worries about “his inconsistent decision-making and accuracy.”

Wentz used a speculator practice week to overtake Lynch as the No. 2 quarterback off the board. Lynch slipped because of a lackluster bowl game. If that’s the logic McShay is using, the same could be said about Wentz’s performance in the Senior Bowl. It was OK, but not great, as he competed 6-of-10 passes for 50 yards.

It just goes to show…even these “draft guru’s” have no idea. They can make educated guesses like the rest of us, but if you write the same thing, who’s going to read! Mock drafts are like pre-election polls. The only poll that matters is on election day, and the same is true of the draft.

Next: Top 10 QBs In Browns History

What do you think? Goff or Wentz? And yes, you may reserve your right to change your mind.