Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

Cleveland Browns Should Avoid Cardale Jones In The Draft

By Ryan Rosko

Oct 24, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones (12) prior to the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Oct 24, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones (12) prior to the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Cleveland Browns in less than a week will another chance of improving their team, specifically at quarterback. In doing so, avoiding former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones would be beneficial.

Yes, the Cleveland Browns need a long-term answer at quarterback and Robert Griffin III is not a guarantee that he is that guy. That said, Cardale Jones is not the answer either.

Jones has size and has plenty of arm strength, but that does not translate into success. One scout even called him a “poor man’s JaMarcus Russell.” That comparison is pretty rough and I have said in the past Jones is similar to Russell, but never to that capacity. Such a comparison really says something.

Jones earned a perfect record as a quarterback in college, but that was more due to Ohio State’s defense and skilled offensive players such as Ezekiel Elliott. Jones also never played an entire season as the starting quarterback.

Jones’ previously mentioned arm strength is very impressive but he has more question marks surrounding his game. With issues surrounding his accuracy, touch, progression, and mechanics (which is pretty bad), believing that he should be drafted in the second day of the 2016 NFL Draft is crazy talk.

Yet, Jones may end up being drafted in the second or third round because of potential upside, but the drafting team should not be the Browns. They cannot afford to work with a project like Jones. By the time the Cleveland Browns gain the necessary talent to be competitive, they will need a QB to be ready and that is not CJ12.

More from Factory of Sadness

Being drafted in the fourth or fifth rounds is the most suitable and best scenario for him. That said, with the many teams who need quarterbacks, Jones has a good shot at being drafted sooner. Should that happen, he will be a reach.

Watching Jones and projecting him to the next level, especially seeing what he could do for the Cleveland Browns, is mainly filled with frustration. Once NFL teams figure out what to do to take away his deep ball, what is Jones going to do then?

His skill set cannot realistically allow him to translate to play in the NFL until a number of years down the road. Then again, Jones may not improve his ability to even play meaningful snaps, while playing well at all. He is not the first high profiled college quarterback to be riding the bench, simultaneously being no more than a backup at the next level.

More from Cleveland Browns

We have seen how Jones acts on social media and although he may have points with some of his statements, it is not a good sign for a quarterback. Who knows if he can take the responsibility of being a NFL quarterback seriously. Cleveland has had their issues at the quarterback position, and waiting on what Jones could be cannot and should not happen.

The Cleveland Browns have been dealing with unprofessional and disappointing players for years now. Johnny Manziel and Josh Gordon are two of their most recent examples. Jones does not have the issues like those players do. However, that does not stop one from being doubtful of how Jones may react to things or of his play development based off of prior situations. 

Next: Is An Ezekiel Elliott Scenario Playing Out For Cleveland?

Rather than going for the flashy quarterback with potential, why not go with more of a sure thing? This debate could go both ways, but for the Cleveland Browns, they need to do the smart thing and look elsewhere.

Home/Cleveland Browns