New Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson is currently down in Mobile, Alabama with a good chunk of the team’s front office in order to take in this year’s Senior Bowl.
First of all, fans of the team should just step back and take this fact in. As we all remember, Ray Farmer, Cleveland’s previous GM, was notorious for rarely ever attending Senior Bowls or pro days or really anything which would help him evaluate potential draft picks. So, now that the Browns have a staff that understands this is actually an important thing to do, it’s nothing short of a major relief.
While Jackson and crew are down there, they’ll no doubt be on the lookout for potential players they could select at No. 2 this spring. There are holes aplenty on Cleveland’s roster, and the team definitely (and finally) wants to make the right picks to fill them.
Since this is the Browns and the draft we’re talking about, quarterback is once again a popular position to look at. Since the team’s last attempt at a franchise quarterback is probably still ripping shots and proving rehab was essentially just a vacation, many mock drafts have Cleveland taking a QB at No. 2. For a while now, the popular name is California quarterback Jared Goff, especially after he decimated Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl last month.
However, a new name continues to be tied to the Browns as of late, one which is currently buzzing throughout the Senior Bowl. Though coming from the FCS school of North Dakota State, Carson Wentz is suddenly becoming a popular prediction when it comes to who Cleveland takes with the second overall pick.
The reasons for Wentz’s hype are immediately noticeable. For one, at 6-foot-5 and 231 pounds, he has the kind of size NFL coaches dream about at QB. On top of his size, he has significant arm-strength and is surprisingly quick and agile. All in all, if he was coming out of a major program, he’d easily be one of the most highly-touted prospects.
However, therein lies the red flag for the Browns and Wentz. Though it’s by no means an attempt to take away from his accomplishments, the fact is teams are going to question his ability due to the fact NDSU isn’t exactly a top-tier school. This is a major reason why so many people are surprised to see Wentz’s name continue to rise so quickly. While the Senior Bowl could do him a lot of favors, he’ll still be considered a somewhat risky pick due to the fact many will believe he hasn’t faced tough enough competition.
If Cleveland is truly interested in Wentz, one advantage to his sudden rise is giving the team the ability to stay at the No. 2 pick should someone trade up with the Tennessee Titans.
Early word is Tennessee is willing to trade out of the top overall spot, and a team gunning for a quarterback could make a deal to move up. If there is a consensus top QB, someone the rest of the league deems as can’t-miss, the Browns can’t afford to let someone leapfrog them. However, if Wentz’s stock continues to rise and it’s determined that he, along with Goff and even Memphis‘ Paxton Lynch, are all solid selections, Cleveland can stay put regardless of the moves another team may make.
For what it’s worth, Jackson has already met with Wentz, deeming him as someone who has a lot of characteristics the Browns are looking for. So, while it may seem insane for someone from North Dakota State to go second overall, this outcome might become more believable as the draft gets closer.
If the Browns head into the night of the draft without a clear idea as to whether or not Wentz can handle playing against NFL defenses, they need to pass. This is a selection Cleveland has to get right, as the team simply can’t afford to swing and miss on yet another QB prospect.
It’s way too early to speculate as to who the Browns will take right now. For the next few months, the team will be working hard to determine the best player to select at No. 2. As the draft gets closer, though, we’re sure to learn a lot more about whether or not Wentz is the team’s best choice.
