Cleveland Browns 2017 NFL Draft Profile: Patrick Mahomes

Suddenly, the Cleveland Browns are basically back to square one at the quarterback position. Could this year’s draft finally be the beginning of a long-term solution, in the form of Patrick Mahomes?

A rather crowded quarterback room in 2016 has now become a very small one once again. Cody Kessler, the only remaining quarterback with any experience whatsoever, figures to hold down the fort come 2017.

With the extent to which the rookie from USC was abused behind a weak offensive line last season, the Browns would be foolish not to acquire some sort of reinforcement at the position, in case the seemingly inevitable were to happen.

The organization could go the route of free agency once again, much like they did with Robert Griffin III. Or, of course, the alternative method would be to find the right man for the job in the upcoming NFL Draft and use one of the team’s many picks on the game’s most important position.

While it isn’t a star-studded draft class for the quarterback position, there are several players entering the NFL who have the potential to become productive pros. One of these is Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech.

In three years as a Red Raider, Mahomes played in 32 college games, finishing a decorated career with 12,097 all-purpose yards and 115 touchdowns, 22 of which came on the ground. Playing for a team that scored a lot and gave up a lot of points, Mahomes was the clear leader of the group and nearly single-handedly kept them in a lot of games thanks to explosive offensive plays.

Now, the 21-year-old is prepared to take the next step. While critics worry about the lack of experience against NFL style defenses being in the Big 12 conference, the explosiveness and elusiveness of Mahomes is more than enough to make him a solid prospect, and one that the Browns shouldn’t overlook.