Cleveland Browns: Patrick Mahomes an option with No. 33 overall pick

The Cleveland Browns are reportedly meeting with Pat Mahomes today, who could be an option for the Browns late in the first round or early in the second.

The Cleveland Browns are continuing to do the proper research on the top quarterbacks in the 2017 NFL Draft, with Patrick Mahomes being the latest prospect to come to Cleveland for a visit.

Mahomes is meeting with the Browns today, according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, after already taking part in a private workout with the team in March.

The former Texas Tech quarterback has seen his name be linked to the Browns by those who believe the team will pass on a quarterback at pick No. 12 overall. If that is done, players like Deshaun Watson, Mitch Trubisky and even DeShone Kizer may be off the board by the time the Browns pick again at No. 33.

The Browns could also trade back into the first round to grab one of those players, but taking Mahomes at No. 33 remains a real possibility, if the team finds him capable of coming in and helping this team.

Mahomes is known for his big arm, which could draw comparisons to the strength showed by a young Brett Favre.

But just having a big arm isn’t enough, as JaMarcus Russell knows, and Mahomes’ stock is hurt a bit by the offense he ran at Texas Tech, with that quick, spread-style offense not being the best for preparing an NFL prospect.

Regardless, scouts like his physical abilities enough to where his draft stock has risen throughout the offseason to the point of being considered a potential first-round pick.

It is now up to Hue Jackson and the front office to learn if Mahomes is capable of being an NFL quarterback. The only real way to know is to see him in game-action, but getting to know how he reads a defense and works in the film room will help give an early glimpse if he has what it takes.

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The unknown element of how a player will perform at the NFL level is what strikes fear into the hearts of Browns fans, but spending a second-round pick on Mahomes is less of a risk than taking a quarterback at No. 12. If he proves to do well in both the private workout and meeting, he should be considered a serious option at pick No. 33.