Cleveland Browns remain a likely destination for QB Tyrod Taylor

The Cleveland Browns are searching for a quarterback once again and Tyrod Taylor could be a potential starter for the team in 2017.

The Cleveland Browns have never been shy of uncertainty when it comes to the quarterback position. Once again, in 2017, Browns fans remain clueless as to who the starter will be entering next season.

Robert Griffin III spent the majority of the season injured (shocker). Josh McCown, 37, was also injured and recently cut by the team. And 2016 third-round pick Cody Kessler was also injured throughout the season with several concussions.

So who will it be in 2017? Well, Jason La Canfora is reporting that quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who may be released by the Buffalo Bills, could possibly land himself that role. According to La Canfora:

"League sources said the Browns have significant interest in Taylor as a free agent. Taylor has strong ties to some on the Browns staff already and if/when he hits the open market I would be shocked if the Browns don’t make a real push for him. Many in the league believe that’s where he will end up — he’s young and athletic and protects the football and has upside.League sources said the Browns have significant interest in Taylor as a free agent. Taylor has strong ties to some on the Browns staff already and if/when he hits the open market I would be shocked if the Browns don’t make a real push for him. Many in the league believe that’s where he will end up — he’s young and athletic and protects the football and has upside."

The Browns recently hiring David Lee as their quarterback coach is the tie La Canfora refers to. Lee just so happens to be Taylor’s quarterback coach in Buffalo the last two seasons, the two that developed Taylor into a legitimate NFL starter.

The Browns have a plethora of picks in the upcoming NFL Draft and the general belief is that they would use one of their 11 draft picks on a quarterback. With two picks in the first twelve selections, the Browns might be able to land their preferred shot-caller of the future.

However, this quarterback class isn’t particularly loaded with stars and the Browns, in the midst of a rebuild, aren’t in a position to reach with a first-round pick.

Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett appeared to lock up the No. 1 pick after an incredible combine this weekend. That allows Cleveland to focus on their No. 12 pick in the coming month, but is a quarterback the answer?

Clemson’s Deshaun Watson is an enticing prospect who went 32-3 as a starter and Cleveland’s own Mitchell Trubisky also has heard his name as a likely Browns target. However, there may indeed be a better option than investing a top-pick in a quarterback that doesn’t “wow” the team.

Enter Tyrod Taylor.

The Baltimore Ravens drafted Taylor in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Never starting a game for the Ravens, Taylor found himself starting the for the Buffalo Bills the last two seasons. He put up a 14-14 record with the Bills and posted exciting statistics as well.

The former Virginia Tech standout had a completion percentage of 62.6 while throwing 37 touchdowns to only 12 interceptions and throwing over 3,000 yards in each season with the Bills. His deep ball has become somewhat of a trademark for Taylor, something that the Browns have lacked in a quarterback for nearly a decade. Also worth mentioning, Taylor accumulated 1,148 rushing yards and ten rushing touchdowns during his time in Buffalo as well.

More from Dawg Pound Daily

Taylor is an intriguing option at quarterback, but at 6-foot-1, he doesn’t fit head coach Hue Jackson’s ideal frame. Jackson said just last week his perfect quarterback would be at least 6-foot-2, which is a bit confusing when considering he drafted Cody Kessler in the third round last year. Kessler is also only 6-foot-1.

Despite this, Taylor possesses traits that are rare to find in quarterbacks and has consistently overcame obstacles throughout his football career. He has proved experts wrong before and has what it takes to elevate this Browns team to the next level.

The Bills lacked weapons for Taylor as Sammy Watkins was injured frequently and their next best receiver was Robert Woods. A young Corey Coleman, (hopefully) Terrelle Pryor and potentially even Josh Gordon would be an exciting set of receivers to watch Tyrod Taylor throw to.

If the Browns can land the playmaking quarterback, they should hold off on a drafting a quarterback with their first two selections and draft the best player available. The team has Cody Kessler on the roster and he would play the role of backup, one that best suits him.

This would leave some questions about RGIII, though. Griffin is due a $750,000 roster bonus on March 11, so if the Browns were to key in on Taylor it would likely mark the end of the RGIII era in Cleveland.

At the end of the day, nobody truly knows what the Cleveland Browns will do. Quite frankly, the Browns probably don’t even know what they are doing yet either. However, Tyrod Taylor would help elevate and develop the young talent on this roster more than any rookie or current quarterback on the roster.

Next: Rethinking Jimmy Garoppolo as a Brown

If this means signing Taylor now and drafting a top QB prospect in 2018 then so be it, but the Browns need to deliver an upgrade to their loyal fans sooner rather than later. And Tyrod Taylor might be that upgrade.

Home/Browns News