5 Rookies Who Should Start For The Cleveland Browns In 2017

DeShone Kizer, QB

Logic says DeShone Kizer should sit and learn as a rookie in the NFL. It’d be the smart play.

But consider his competition. Cody Kessler, the 6-1 soft thrower who went 0-8 as a starter, and Brock Osweiler, the guy who had a winning record last season, but none-the-less, a player the Houston Texans couldn’t wait to rid themselves of.

Remember what you heard during the padless spring practices where players glide around in shorts?

Two things stand out during these sessions.: Speed and big arms. Derek Anderson and Brandon Weeded looked like all-world quarterbacks in these practices.

Related Story: Slow Approach Necessary With DeShone Kizer

Remember, Kizer not only possess a big arm, but he also rushed for 18 touchdowns in his two seasons playing for Notre Dame. He should mesmerize Browns’ coaches.

Some media personalities will talk about Kizer riding the pine because Hue Jackson “needs to win games” in 2017 to keep his job.

Isn’t it conceivable to believe Jackson will come to conclusion that Kizer does give him the best chance to win games in 2017?

As ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi wrote, nobody has proclaimed Kizer to be a the Week 1 starter. No one is on the record saying it won’t happen, either.

"Nobody is saying Kizer is in the mix to start from Day One. But nobody is saying he isn’t. “We are not going to stop him from wanting to do that, but there is a lot of work to do and I think he will find that out as we go,” Jackson said. “If he can handle that, great. We are not going to say, ‘No, you can’t play,’ if he is ready to play.”"

Remember, Kizer possesses all the tools you’d want in your AFC North quarterback.

Sitting and learning is one method, but sending a rookie out there from day one, giving him first-team reps is another. There’s no substitute for live game experience, and you can’t get get that carrying the Microsoft Surface. Plus, Kizer throws the ball a lot farther than Kessler, and he can take a hit. Kessler suffered two concussions as a rookie.

Maybe Brock Osweiler stands out. But you’ve got to wonder if he even makes the team? There’s reports out there the Browns are willing to pay $10 million of his $16 million salary. He could still be traded. Jackson hasn’t sounded enthused about Osweiler, and offers just classic “coach speak” whenever referring to his role on the team.

It won’t be a surprise to see Jackson fall in love with Kizer and roll with him from Week 1.