Browns: Phil Savage believes Josh Allen could end up going first overall

Former Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage is a believer in Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen.

The Cleveland Browns are going to add at least one quarterback this offseason. Who the front office decides on remains to be seen though.

There is a lot to like about a number of the signal-callers that will be in April’s draft. However, there are also flaws and/or concerns surrounding many of them too. The reality is that every rookie quarterback is a project to some degree.

Reese’s Senior Bowl Executive Director Phil Savage discussed the Browns, their first round, and the crop of quarterbacks on The Ken Carman Show. You can listen to Savage coveing that topic starting at the13:20 mark in the link via the tweet below.

ICYMI: Former Browns GM Phil Savage said Sunday night that Josh Allen could end up the no.1 overall QB prospect. Listen for FREE https://t.co/XOy14sM0Jt?amp=1
— Ken Carman (@KenCarman) January 10, 2018

While acknowledging USC’s Sam Darnold, UCLA’s Josh Rosen, and first overall options, one specific comment about Wyoming’s Josh Allen stood out:

"Don’t be surprised if Josh Allen, the quarterback from Wyoming, really emerges over these next few months because he’s big, he’s physical, he’s got a strong arm, and I think a lot of the NFL will give him a pass sort of speak in terms of when Wyoming played up to the power five level and he didn’t post very good numbers."

Now, I can understand why you may not like Allen but Savage does have a point. NFL teams are always looking for that under the radar, promising player (often times at quarterback).

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Had Allen played at power five school, it’s hard to imagine his flaws being as bad as they are.

With the right coaching, Allen has a lot of potential. If Cleveland drafted him, as long as head coach Hue Jackson doesn’t play mind games with him like Jackson did with DeShone Kizer, then that’s a huge positive.

Allen’s biggest flaws are decision-making and accuracy. However, his size at 6-5, relentless work ethic and an ability to move around the pocket and make plays with his cannon of an arm could be intriguing.

According to sports-reference.com, in three seasons, Allen completed 56.2 percent of his passes for 5,066 yards, and 44 touchdowns.

If it were any other team other than Cleveland, I’d say yes, don’t dismiss this possibility. However, because Allen may be the biggest boom or bust quarterback prospect this year, I’d still say that but I’d have my reservations.

He isn’t suited to be drafted first but on the other hand, what does Cleveland have to lose? If general manager John Dorsey likes him then that’s all that matters.

I like Allen but not at one. A more polished player to take is Darnold or Rosen instead is more likely right now.

Plenty has to be worked out before April but when Cleveland adds a veteran, let’s just leave every option on the table and let Dorsey do his job. Many wanted former quarterbacks Brady Quinn, Johnny Manziel, and others, and look where Cleveland is now as a result.

Next: 5 coaches who should replace Hue

These next four months are going to be an exciting time in Berea and Cleveland. All I have to say is that if Allen somehow ended up in Cleveland, he wouldn’t play one snap in all of 2018 (no rookie this year should) and to give his selection the benefit of the doubt.

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