Cleveland Browns: 2016 NFL Scouting Combine round up

Memphis’ Paxton Lynch

The Browns are presumed to be focusing on Cal’s Jared Goff and North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz if they opt to select a quarterback, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to cover their bases with the third quarterback expected to go in the first round. Lynch reportedly struggled with his footwork and his medial exam “spooked” some teams.

“I had an issue with my left knee and my right knee and an issue with my AC joint. When I hurt my AC joint back in my redshirt sophomore year of college in Cincinnati, I didn’t realize that I had, I think they said it was just a small fracture in my clavicle,” Lynch said during his media session. “So that popped up on the X-ray, but it was healed. But there was just some like piece of the bone I guess just floating around in there. So it spooked a team or two, I think, and that’s why they requested the MRIs and all that.

“But I mean I didn’t miss a game or a practice or a single throw ’cause of it, and none of those injuries bother me today. I’m 100 percent, so I was more than willing to do what they need me to do.”

According to his draft profile at NFL.com:

"While the hype around “dual threat” quarterbacks has subsided, Lynch possesses the size and athleticism to make NFL teams take a second look. Unlike other size/speed quarterbacks like Vince Young and Colin Kaepernick, Lynch prefers to extend passing plays with his feet rather than bolting from the pocket, but he is still likely to make plenty of plays with his feet over the long haul. Lynch shows the ability to read defenses and make smart decisions, but not yet at an NFL starting level. While he has the physical tools to start right away, a team who is willing to allow him to sit and study his craft for a year could reap maximum rewards in the future."

Rutgers’ Leonte Carroo

Rutgers wide receiver Leonte Carroo was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick in 2014 after posting 1,068 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, but slipped his senior year, mostly because of the combination of a high-ankle sprain and suspension for an assault arrest (the charges for which were dropped by the female victim). It’s interesting that the Browns would show potential interest in Carroo after head coach Hue Jackson talked about a culture change in Cleveland.

According to his draft profile at NFL.com, Carroo is a:

"Consistently productive receiver with good size but pedestrian long speed. While Carroo benefited from Rutgers’ offensive system, he was still producing at a high level despite the attention that was paid to him. Carroo will need to continue to sharpen his route running in order to improve his separation on the next level, but his size, hands and ability to block in the running game could land him in the middle rounds with a chance to become an eventual starter."

USC’s Cody Kessler

While no one’s idea of anything more than a backup quarterback, the Browns still took the time to “informally meet” with former USC quarterback Cody Kessler. One thing working in Kessler’s favor is that he believes in his ability to deal with adversity, a trait that comes in handy for Browns quarterbacks.

“I’ve dealt with pretty much every example of adversity you can think of,” Kessler told The Orange County Register. “I just wanted to be the one guy who was the constant and continued through it. I think I’m better from it. If things don’t go my way, I know how to respond to that and I know how to bounce back.”

According to his draft profile at NFL.com, Kessler:

"Can orchestrate an offense with confidence and accuracy when operating from a clean pocket, but doesn’t appear to have the mentality of a player willing to take the risks necessary to strike with big plays often enough on the pro level. Kessler has moments where it is easy to like him on tape, but the traits and tape look more like those of a good, career backup than playoff starter."

Michigan State’s Connor Cook

Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook may be one of the most controversial and hard-to-define quarterback prospects in the draft. According to mlive.com, NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks and SiriusXM analyst Jim Miller both watched Cook’s workout on Saturday and came away with “vastly” different opinions.

According to his draft profile at NFL.com:

"As a four-year starter, Cook has the big game experience and the production from a pro-­style attack that should warrant early consideration.The concern is that his short and intermediate accuracy has never shown the improvement and consistency that scouts expected to see. His inability to take over in big games this year could hurt his cause. Cook flashes the potential of an NFL starter, but he has the makeup of game manager over playmaker."

While the scouting combine has come to a close, there is still plenty to look forward to from the Browns. Free agency opens on March 9, which is also they day the team will rid itself of a certain quarterback, and the 2016 NFL Draft will start on April 28.

Should be fun, Browns fans.