Two Rd. NFL Mock Draft: QB and His Weapons Version
Oct 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine celebrates a 4th quarter touchdown with wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (18), wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (16) and quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns beat the Raiders 23-13. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
While yesterday we gave you the defensive minded 2 Round NFL Mock, one in which the Browns defense was upgraded to the point of being a Top 5 type in most categories, today is about offense. While Mariota would likely start the season sitting on the bench, Funchess and Williams would likely enter the starting lineup right away. The Browns already solid offensive line, barring injuries, and good, young running game will have compliments.
Whoever started at QB would be given time to throw off of play action passing, the Browns will be a run first team under Farmer and Pettine. Yet, unlike last year, that QB will have some big targets to hit when he looks to throw. That will allow for a ton of forgiveness for those throws. Some of Hoyer’s INTs last year would not have been if he would have had this receiving group. (Likely true if he would have had Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron all year.)
The big players also should help in the run game as blockers. Both Funchess and Williams have the frames and feet to be good down the field blockers which could help spring the backs for even longer gains. Having Williams and Funchess in the redzone would be great weapons. Hawkins runs amazing routes, similar to Wes Welker and Julian Edelman in New England, in the redzone but having big players that can go up and get the ball gives the other threats on fades and quick slant routes. Both Funchess and Williams can use their bodies to shield away defenders. Turning last year’s redzone field goals into touchdowns may have meant a playoff birth.
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Then we have Marcus Mariota, again this writer’s favorite in all NFL Mock Draft posts. Mariota hopefully will get a chance to sit and develop but if not would have a great surrounding cast to work with. His offensive line will keep him clean, no worries of a David Carr like battering, while his running game will keep the pressure off of him to try to win games. Much like Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco and Russell Wilson, the Browns can bring along their young QB by only having him throw 20 or less times a game.
With Funchess, Gabriel, Hawkins and Williams providing Mariota with every type of skill needed in pass catchers, size, speed, quickness, route running and hands, Mariota’s job will be much easier. When he does have to throw he can hit Funchess on the outside, either back shoulder or high pointed balls, Williams over the middle shielding away a defender, Hawkins on a precise, quick route or Gabriel over the top with a deep bomb. All of that off of the Browns quality play action passing game.
Talk about a rookie’s dream while the team would still have 7 more picks to get depth to the offensive line as well as add some much needed pieces to the defense, starting with the worst run defense in the league.
What do you think of this NFL Mock Draft in which the Browns get their QB and him some weapons?