Cleveland Browns: Acquire A Veteran Or Rookie QB?
By Ryan Rosko
A change at quarterback is needed for the Cleveland Browns, but which way do they go?
The Cleveland Browns are once again looking for their franchise quarterback. After releasing Johnny Manziel, Cleveland still has Josh McCown, Austin Davis, and Connor Shaw, in addition to another very high draft pick.
McCown is at the end of his career, Davis has a shot to be a decent quarterback in the NFL, and Shaw is a backup at best, so yes, another quarterback is needed. Even though the Cleveland Browns really need a quarterback, acquiring their long-term answer this offseason is no guarantee.
In the past, the Cleveland Browns brought in veterans, hoping they would be the answer for years to come. They also have done the same thing with rookie quarterbacks and neither option has led to the success teams need.
Most recently, Cleveland has been linked in the draft to North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz and California’s Jared Goff, both for good reasons. The Browns also have been involved in trade rumors with the San Francisco 49ers regarding Colin Kaepernick.
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Even if the Cleveland Browns land Kaepernick, a rookie quarterback could still follow. Compared to past drafts, would Wentz and Goff be projected as they are to others who were drafted at the top of the draft? No. If either of those two were in last year’s draft, 2014’s, 2012’s, 2011’s, etc., it would be hard for them to be selected before some of those top quarterbacks in their respective drafts.
Since they are the best in this year’s draft however, both Wentz and Goff should get selected quickly. Cleveland is back to square one with a new front office and coaching staff.
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Due to their situation, the Cleveland Browns need to address their other needs. Otherwise, whichever rookie quarterback Cleveland drafts, will have a harder time succeeding with a limited supporting cast.
Then again, as history has shown, why even go the veteran route knowing a rookie quarterback will be needed? For one, the rookie quarterback may not be ready from the start and any acquired veteran could give the spark the team needs short-term until the future is called upon.
Is Kaepernick that veteran guy? I do not see it and his stats each year has decreased. Seeing that is not a ringing endorsement. Perhaps myself, along with some of you would feel the same if/when Kaepernick becomes a Brown and works with a great quarterback guru like Hue Jackson?
If Cleveland traded for a veteran, then they would be giving up one or more valuable draft picks. Such a trade really is not needed, given that there are already veteran quarterbacks on the roster. Both types of quarterbacks are needed, so rather than go one route or the other this offseason, the Cleveland Browns should expect to use a veteran and a rookie quarterback in 2016.
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That is until the rookie proves himself or the veteran plays himself out of a job. If the veteran quarterbacks were not on the roster, then Cleveland would have to go the veteran way. So instead of a trade, the Cleveland Browns would actually be best suited using the duo of McCown or Davis and a rookie quarterback.