The Cleveland Browns hold the dice firmly in their hand until they make a selection with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Tennessee Titans are the only team selecting before the Cleveland Browns in the opening round of the 2016 NFL Draft and they’re expected to select the best offensive lineman, Laremy Tunsil, to help protect their franchise quarterback, Marcus Mariota.
That means the Browns are expected to be the first team to roll the dice on a playmaker.
Noticeably, the quarterback position is a major area of need for this franchise and has been since their return to Cleveland in 1999. Although, with a number of defensive prospects that can instantly turn into playmakers, Cleveland could revive their defense with the second pick in the draft.
Draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay both have the Browns selecting North Dakota State redshirt senior Carson Wentz, while ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi projects them to take California’s Jared Goff.
This past week the Browns signed 2012 Rookie of the Year and former No. 2 pick Robert Griffin III to a two-year contract worth up to $12 million.
Browns head coach Hue Jackson was quoted as saying, “the earth moved beneath my feet” to team executives in reference to watching Griffin throw in his private workout, according to NFL.Com’s Jeff Darlington. Owner Jimmy Haslam trusted Jackson’s expertise opinion as he’s known as a quarterback guru, having found success from Jason Campbell to Andy Dalton, and the Browns soon reached a deal with the former Redskins quarterback.
Amid the signing, the questions and speculation continue to build up, as is the suspense surrounding what the Browns will do come draft night. As they’re planning on starting Griffin as of now, do they turn their attention with the No. 2 pick to defense, or still draft a potential franchise quarterback in case Griffin doesn’t pan out?
Next: Option 1: Select a Quarterback
Once the Browns are on the clock they should have their pick of quarterback in Jared Goff or Carson Wentz, believing that Jackson will help develop them into rising stars.
Most experts still believe that a quarterback will be the choice for Cleveland despite the recent signing of Griffin. Of course, after two poor seasons in Washington and not seeing the field in 2015, he’s by no means a shoe-in to be successful.
Although Griffin is the expected starter for the Browns come week one, he’s been through tough experiences in his career: a quick ascension to the top as a glorified quarterback, followed by a crash landing.
Those are the kinds of things Griffin can help Wentz or Goff with as knowledge is key to being a successful NFL quarterback.
Any quarterback can learn from a veteran for a season while on the bench, taking in all the information they can and preparing as the starter every week. That’s what Wentz or Goff will do, depending on how successful Griffin’s production is this fall.
If Griffin pans out and revives his career, than great. However, if he replicates his failures in 2013 and 2014 and the Browns have Wentz or Goff to “fall back on,” well then that’s fine too.
Both players impressed in their respective Pro Days, with Wentz having “one of the best Pro Days ever,” according to NFL Network’s Mike Mayock.
It’s always risky taking a quarterback this high in the draft due to the high expectations that come with it. However, for the Browns this year, it’s a safe decision in terms of having a quarterback for years to come under the tutelage of Jackson.
As Browns fans know, or don’t know, quarterbacks are a prized possession in the NFL and you can never have too many good ones.
Next: Option 2: Upgrade the Defense
The Cleveland Browns once-proud defense has crumbled to the ground since 2013. With one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season, the Browns desperately need help in their secondary.
Losing Tashaun Gipson at safety certainly hurt the Browns as Donte Whitner deteriorates and Joe Haden continues to be plagued by injury. So Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey, who is considered to be the most athletic player in the draft and perhaps the best overall prospect, can undoubtedly step in immediately and bolster this rotting defense.
Ramsey is extremely versatile as he can play cornerback or safety. Experience at both positions in college helps, and with Gipson leaving via free agency, Ramsey can fill that void quickly.
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The other option defensively is UCLA’s Myles Jack. The outside linebacker is a phenomenal prospect and, similar to Ramsey, is a versatile athlete.
Jack was the Pac-12 Defensive Rookie of the Year and the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2013 while playing running back and outside linebacker. Jack clearly established himself though as the best linebacker in this draft class and for good reason.
Incredible quickness and technique matched by his athleticism and size, Jack can instantly become a playmaker for any team.
Paul Kruger is the only established outside linebacker the team has and is coming off of a down year in 2015.
The Browns were as horrendous on defense as they were on offense the past two years, but it can be argued they were even worse defensively. Both Jack and Ramsey can be instant upgrades and be cornerstone pieces to build on moving forward.