Cleveland Browns: Pros/cons of adding a rookie quarterback

This offseason, the Cleveland Browns will be making changes to their roster. However, what if the plan somehow doesn’t involve a rookie quarterback in 2018?

There is talent on the Cleveland Browns‘ roster but certainly not enough. The poor coaching doesn’t help matters either, but that’s for another time.

General manager John Dorsey has made quite an impact already and the nice thing is that it’s just the beginning. Dorsey needs to improve the whole roster but most importantly, the quarterback position.

The strong assumption is that he will draft a quarterback, likely first overall. However, what if the plan heads off in a different direction?

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Now, I fully expect a rookie to be drafted early. On the other hand, what if the plan isn’t what everyone wants? What would be the case for and against a rookie quarterback being added this offseason?

Why a rookie should be added: Cleveland needs that answer at quarterback. A possible face of the franchise signal-caller may be out there and it is up to the Browns to find him.

Stability, consistency, and reliability are needed. The never-ending jersey list of quarterbacks’ names also must end.

Regardless of whichever rookie is added, to have any success long-term, he can’t play during his first season. The veteran quarterback that is expected to be added will help lay the foundation for the rookie to be the best professional possible.

Besides, no other rookie in past seasons has taken the job and ran with it.

Cleveland has nothing else to lose. They are looking to just win a game and while not everything can be changed in one offseason, an updated roster with an exciting rookie leading the team is a great start.

Why a rookie quarterback should not be added: Even though quarterbacks are supposed to take the team’s talent to another level, that can only be done so much. Additional play-makers and protection are needed.

Therefore, with a veteran quarterback along with DeShone Kizer on the roster, why force a pick? Kizer is just 22 years old and would benefit from that player as long as head coach Hue Jackson stays away.

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In addition, knowing that Dorsey has to improve the QB position whose to say he is going to do so via the draft? He likely will but adding the best option available is a or possibly the top priority.

If Dorsey chooses against adding a rookie in 2018, he could draft one he is sold on in 2019. While I don’t see such an option becoming reality, it could in theory happen.

Many people seemed surprised when one of Dorsey’s first moves as Kansas City Chiefs’ GM was trading for QB Alex Smith. The same reaction may be felt come March 14 when free agency and the new work year starts.

Cleveland already invested a year in Kizer. Although Kizer’s rookie season was horrendous, he is not the only QB to have had a horrible first season.

Players that have also struggled but got on the right track include Oakland Raiders’ Derek Carr, Los Angeles Rams’ Jared Goff, and former NFL signal-callers Peyton Manning and Troy Aikman.

Being that he is so young, Kizer still has plenty of potential but let him sit and learn. By doing that along with rebuilding his confidence and game flaws, Kizer’s game could come a long way.

It is not as if Cleveland will win the AFC North regardless of what they do at the quarterback position this offseason. Continue to build the roster and go from there.

Adding a veteran who has more than just a couple of years left who could be the answer would impact the foreseeable future at the position. Simultaneously, the Browns’ draft approach would change especially early on.

Next: Hue's ego doesn't want an OC

Before we know it, the quarterback position will be fixed. How Dorsey and company go about adjusting it will be the intriguing and exciting part.