Mike Mayock likes Cleveland Browns draft target Carson Wentz – a lot
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns may have something else to think about on draft night after hearing Mike Mayock’s thoughts on quarterback Carson Wentz.
The NFL Network’s Mike Mayock really likes North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz as a quarterback prospect.
And if he’s right, the Cleveland Browns may have something to seriously consider when they are on the clock in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
“When I look at (Wentz), I see a kid that’s as athletic or more athletic than Andrew Luck. He’s bigger than Andrew Luck. He’s got arm strength comparable to Andrew Luck,” Mayock said during a media call on Tuesday in advance of the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine. “He just doesn’t have the experience that Andrew Luck had at a high level coming out of college. So I see a ceiling for this kid similar to Andrew Luck. That’s why I believe in this kid so much, but it’s going to take a little bit of time.”
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Mayock also said that the 6-foot-5 Wentz has been receiving “high marks” from scouts in the always hard to define category of intangibles.
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“His character apparently is off the charts, that’s what I was told by everybody surrounding the Senior Bowl that had anything to do with him,” Mayock said. “Smart, tough, loves the game.”
The Browns hold the No. 2 overall selection in the upcoming draft and are widely expected to use that pick on a quarterback in what has become a two-man race between Wentz and Cal’s Jared Goff.
With veteran quarterback Josh McCown on the roster, the Browns have the luxury of not having to rush a quarterback onto the field for Week 1 of the season this fall. And if they have a similar view of Wentz’ ceiling, they may be willing to take him, realizing that having a quarterback for the next 10 to 12 years is more important than having a quarterback for opening weekend in September.
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Wentz went 20-3 as a starter for North Dakota State in two seasons as a starter, leading the Bison to consecutive national titles, earning Most Outstanding Player honors in this year’s title game. During his time as a starter, he completed 64.1 percent of his career passes with 45 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com, Wentz has:
"a body type that is as prototypical as they come and a background in reading the entire field and working through progressions, Wentz will immediately check a couple of boxes that many college quarterbacks won’t be able to check. While his arm strength is OK, he can still make all the throws and he can make them with accuracy. His ability to escape pressure and pick up first downs with his feet will be yet another check mark in his favor. Wentz is still in a developmental phase after just two years at an FBS program, but has the mental and physical building blocks of a future, franchise quarterback."
Browns fans will have the opportunity to watch Wentz, Goff and the rest of the quarterback prospects on Saturday when the quarterbacks go through their position drills at the combine.