Cleveland Browns: Building around Cody Kessler in 2017

While some want the Cleveland Browns to draft a quarterback, sticking with Cody Kessler may be the best option for the team in 2017.

The Cleveland Browns have 11 total picks in the 2017 NFL Draft, with five in the first 65 picks, and two in each of the first and second rounds. The Browns have arguably more needs going in than any team in the league going into the event, but they should skip a quarterback this time around.

There’s an old stigma in the NFL about quarterbacks: You keep drafting one until you find one. However, as many may recall after last year’s draft, Hue Jackson and the Browns organization were scrutinized for drafting Cody Kessler in the third round, which was considered a major reach given he was considered a sixth-round pick. Hue Jackson simply responded “trust me“.

While Kessler didn’t light the world on fire, given the circumstances, his stats were not as bad as many may think. In nine games played (eight starts) Kessler threw for 1380 yards for six touchdowns and two interceptions.

While those are not elite numbers, given he was a rookie and not a full-time starter, they were not that bad. What is impressive was his 65.6 percent completion percentage, which if it had qualified would actually be .4 percent higher than one Aaron Rodgers.

The quarterback is important to a team’s success, but it’s not all on his shoulders. He needs a dependable offense and defense to play with to win. Where does that start? You need an offensive line to protect the quarterback.

In 2016, the left side of the O-line was solid with Joe Thomas and Joel Bitonio. However, the center and right side positions were obvious weak spots of the team. After Alex Mack left for the Atlanta Falcons in 2016 free agency, Cameron Erving started as center and was atrocious, John Greco turns 32 this season and left something to be desired at right guard, and while Austin Pasztor was decent, he is a free agent and no signs show that Cleveland wants him back.

However, this years O-line appears to be much better. Thomas is back and is reliable and Bitonio signed a new contract for five-years, $51 million. For the center, right guard and tackle positions, the Browns are making the most with their initial $108 million in cap space having signed the Cincinnati Bengals’ G Kevin Zeitler (five-years $60 million) and Green Bay Packers’ C J.C. Tretter (three-years, $16.75 million) to shore up the inside.

The biggest question mark is the right tackle position. Erving moved to right tackle at the end of the season, the position he played at Florida State, and played much better. However, last season the Browns also used a third-round draft pick on Auburn’s Shon Coleman. This seems to be the biggest competition this spring on the offensive line.

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Browns fans must be tired of seeing more quarterbacks than seasons pass by in front of them. It may not be the sexy choice, but some familiarity could do the team and the city some good. By letting Kessler be the guy for at least another year, and focusing on protecting him, it means the team is not forced to endure deja vu. This season the team should build around the quarterback instead of picking one and “trust” in Kessler.

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