2017 NFL Draft: 5 Quarterbacks The Browns Must Consider After Round 1

Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech, 2nd Round

Patrick Mahomes seems to get more popular by the day. He tied a combine record for throwing the ball 60 miles per hour. Some pundits have him going late in the first round. Certainly, Mahomes won’t get past the second round, and he may not be available when the Browns use their second, second-round choice (55th overall).

Free agency changed how quarterbacks may be viewed in the draft. Myles Garrett is probably destined for Clevealnd. San Francisco signed Brian Hoyer to bridge the gap until Kyle Shanahan can get his hands on Kirk Cousins. Mike Glennon‘s 2017 salary totals eight figures. As the seconds pass, the more and more it looks like the Jets are going into tank mode for the right to draft Sam Darnold.

Our own Ryan Rosko believes Mahomes could end up being the second-ranked player on the quarterback big board leading up to draft day. Rosko wrote about Mahomes’ athleticism and his nack for taking risks as reasons to like the prospect.

Rosko eluded that Mahomes could become this draft’s forgotten prospect, much like Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr in 2014, via the Factory of Sadness.

"All that said, I envision Mahomes ending up in a similar situation to that of Minnesota Vikings’ Teddy Bridgwater and Oakland Raiders’ Derek Carr. Both of those players ultimately were considered first round picks. Bridgewater ended up the 32nd pick after Minnesota traded up, while Oakland took Carr in the second round in the 2014 NFL Draft."

The Browns may have to take Mahomes with the first pick in the second round (No. 33 overall). But if Hue Jackson identifies him as the quarterback of the future, and Cleveland can nab two impact makers in the first round, taking this Texas Tech gunslinger when the second-round commences may not be such a bad idea.