Cleveland Browns: ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s first 2018 mock is pretty bold

The Cleveland Browns will be projected to pick multiple different quarterbacks over the next four months. Some will make sense, some may never feel like a fit.

Cleveland Browns fans will have their preference at quarterback they’d like to see drafted if they haven’t already. Meanwhile, as we all wait for the 2018 NFL Draft, general manager John Dorsey and company are doing their due diligence in determining who best fits the team now and in the long-term outlook.

Most people advocating for a specific quarterback will be disappointed come draft night.

Now that all-star games are set to be played and soon the combine will begin, the anticipation for the draft to get here won’t let up (for good reasons). One key aspect of projecting where the declared players could get drafted are mock drafts.

On Thursday, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr released his first 2018 mock draft (subscription required). With the many needs Cleveland has, until free agency is off and running, mocks should be taken with a grain of salt.

That said, there has been plenty of scenarios regarding what Cleveland should do with their two first-round picks.

For Kiper, he pegged Wyoming QB Josh Allen first overall. Here are reasons why Kiper listed  Allen at the top the draft order:

"His numbers aren’t impressive, I know. But the NFL is all about projection, and he has a high ceiling. Coaches want to work with the 6-foot-5 Allen because he has all of the tools. The other top quarterbacks have warts, and there is no slam-dunk No. 1 prospect, which makes it a fun class. Scouts are looking forward to seeing Allen at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, next week, where he will work out with much better talent."

Now Allen certainly has his work cut out for him. Even those that like Allen should say he isn’t worth the first pick. However, Kiper did state a couple of good points — mainly the projection aspect and the fact that there is no consensus top pick.

If Dorsey were to draft Allen it wouldn’t be because he is like Philadelphia Eagles’ Carson Wentz, because he isn’t. Rather, it is the ceiling many including Kiper sees.

For what it is worth, Cleveland drafted Penn State running back Saquon Barkley fourth overall as seen by ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter’s tweet:

Mocks are a great discussion piece. For Cleveland’s sake, adding both Allen and Barkley are certainly possible but likely not at those spots. Regardless of how the other mocks and actual draft plays out, Kiper slotting Allen at first from the get-go is definitely bold.

Related Story: Phil Savage believes Josh Allen could go first

I like Allen and see the upside of why teams should be intrigued. On the other hand, selecting him first isn’t preferred and understandably would increase reservations about such a selection. Still, assuming Dorsey likes Allen enough, (despite completing just 56% of his passes) it is with focusing on the big picture.

The problem with that or selecting either California-based quarterbacks is that there is already a player with the size and big arm on the roster: DeShone Kizer. Cleveland’s second-round pick last year should have been brought along differently but unfortunately, that won’t change the fact that at least one quarterback will be competing with him.

Next: Pros/cons of adding a rookie QB

Before completely writing off Allen, watch what he does first during the senior bowl. Keep in mind, draft picks’ projections are based on the future with their skill-sets — not achievements/stats or lack thereof. Otherwise, all Heisman Trophy winners and air-raid quarterbacks would be drafted very high.