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Cleveland Browns: Is draft pick trade a sign of future plans?

By David Vorhees

Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) throws a pass during the first quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) throws a pass during the first quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Browns may have opened up a path to success this week, they just need a few more things to fall into place.

The Cleveland Browns found a trade partner in the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday, but did they also find a path to success?

When the Browns signed Robert Griffin lll they announced to the league and the world they want a mobile quarterback. That pretty much left Cal’s Jared Goff out. North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz is an athletic quarterback, but not in the same style as Griffin. There is, however, a quarterback in this year’s draft that plays in the same style as Griffin, but who is maybe not as talented.

Related: Cleveland Browns gambling the long game will pay off

Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott is a talented, mobile quarterback who should be available in the late third or early fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Prescott would be a good, solid backup to Griffin and the Browns would not have to change the playbook at all for Prescott. As good as Prescott is, he is still just a backup, but the trade with the Eagles gives the Browns the ammunition to acquire the quarterback they target in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Clemson’s Deshaun Watson is going to be one of the top quarterbacks in the 2017 draft. Watson is cut from the same mold as Griffin and Prescott and has the potential to be even more talented than both.

If the Browns select Prescott this year, they can let Griffin lead the offense over the next two years, with Prescott backing Griffin up. Then next year they can maneuver into position to draft Watson and let him sit for a year behind Griffin. When Griffin’s contract is up, the Browns will not have to resign him because Watson will be ready to take over the offense.

The Browns would then head into the 2018 season with two young, talented quarterbacks who can play the position in the same manner. This will allow the Browns to build the offense over the next few years around a mobile quarterback, and when Watson is ready the rest of the offense will be as well.

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If this is the plan the Browns can create a level of offensive continuity that has been so evidently lacking in Cleveland. They will also be able to focus on the wide receiver position with the No. 8 or No. 32, or both, spots in this year’s draft.

In Cleveland there is always a downside and the downside to this plan is that mobile quarterbacks carry a high risk for injury, which can limits their ceiling and length of success. If Griffin, Prescott or Watson get seriously injured in the next year or two, that could derail the whole thing.

If the Browns can keep these quarterbacks healthy and improve on their natural abilities, the reward could also be greater than previously thought.

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