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NFL mock draft: Cleveland Browns don’t take a QB in first round

By Steven Kubitza

Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs during the first quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs during the first quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
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A recent mock draft by Bucky Brooks of NFL.com sees the Cleveland Browns avoiding the temptation to take a quarterback in the first round.

This week’s NFL Combine has been the first taste of football since the Super Bowl, and allows fans to turn the focus to the NFL Draft.

Cleveland Browns fans are once again treating the draft as a Super Bowl of sorts, as the team is just searching for anyone to come in and help turn things around. After 1-15, it is hard not to be desperate for talent.

Being desperate could lead the front office to reach and take a quarterback early, but the most recent mock draft by NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks does not see that happening.

With the No. 1 overall pick, Brooks sees the Browns making the easy choice and taking Myles Garrett. His explanation:

"Browns opt for the best player available instead of reaching for a QB at the top of the draft. Garrett gives them a Julius Peppers-like edge rusher to build around."

There is no surprise with this pick, as Garrett remains the top overall prospect in the draft class. It just depends on whether the Browns panic and want a quarterback at No. 1 overall. If not, Garrett is the easy choice.

When it comes time for the No. 12 pick, no quarterbacks have been selected off Brooks’ board. This could set up the Browns to take any of the top prospects at the position, but Brooks sees them holding off and taking Leonard Fournette. His explanation:

"Nothing like a workhorse runner to alleviate the pressure on the QB to carry an offense. Given the Browns’ uncertainty at their RB1 position, the LSU star could make sense at this point."

Fournette is a dominant running back, but taking a running back at No. 12 overall may not be the best move for the Browns right now. The running game wasn’t all that bad in 2016. The problem was that the team was consistently trailing, forcing Hue Jackson to call passing plays for the majority of the season. So while it would be nice to have a player like Fournette, he may not be able to shine until the rest of the team is improved.

And knowing this team, it may be hard to pass up on a quarterback at No. 12 if all the top options are still available.

Next: Losing Pryor would set the team back

The mock drafts will continue rolling out until the end of April, and it will be interesting to see how things change once the Combine is over and free agency begins. Perhaps the Browns won’t need to think about a quarterback if someone is brought in, such as Tyrod Taylor or Mike Glennon. Then again, allowing a rookie to come in and learn behind someone would be a nice change of pace for the Browns.

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