Browns, despite all assurances of being calm, rational and not in a hurry, view their second first round pick as capital to be used to acquire a QB.
But the one that they have graded highest in the first round is gone (Trubisky). If this were to occur, they would want to trade down. But while QBs make teams crazy, no one is that crazy about these QBs this early. Only the Jets were contemplating moving up and the got their guy just by waiting.
Forced to choose a QB, its between, Watson, Mahomes and Webb. Watson doesn't seem to have a huge NFL upside. Mahomes has mechanics that make Jay Cutler look reliable. Webb has a second round grade, though he is pretty well rounded. But as an NFL QB, Webb might be Joe Flacco (which starts another kind of argument) or Nick Foles. With out a trade down, Browns also consider other positions here with Trubisky gone.
Best talent value on board is probably Howard, but the Browns have Barnidge. They need safeties but both the top ones are off the board. The filled a hole with an EDGE rusher already. They need a Tackle but that would be worse value at this spot than QB. They could use a WR and there is talent there though its not top ten locks. They also could use a corner.
I think Watson and Webb will make the analytic's guys nervous for two different reasons (Watson low upside with measurables, Webb with modest college success and failure to beat out Mahomes). Hue Jackson probably will try to convince people he can fix Mahomes sidearming.
Howard would help the offense even if the hole there isn't as huge as at WR. Highest rated WRs are both 15-20 pick rated: John Ross or Corey Davis. They have their pick of prospects outside of Lattimore at CB, but the value here might be second round given the depth.
With the 12th pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns, who wanted to trade down, select:
OJ Howard - TE - Alabama
Alabama TEs world once marvelously for the Browns. They will try to strike gold a second time. Its also who the beat reporters want so they can recycle all their Ozzie Newsome stories.
pbmax and Arizona are on the clock!
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