Cleveland Browns: The case for starting DeShone Kizer in 2017

The Cleveland Browns may be waiting until 2018 to commit to a franchise quarterback, but DeShone Kizer deserves a chance in 2017 to prove he’s that guy.

We are a few weeks removed from the NFL Draft, and the prevailing feeling is that the Cleveland Browns did a solid job of selecting players who might actually be on the roster at the end of their rookie deals.

One of these draft picks in particular could provide the biggest upside, but also the biggest question mark for the next calendar year: DeShone Kizer.

First, let me start by saying that I applaud the Browns for standing pat and letting the draft come to them with Kizer still on the board in the second round. It shows this front office has patience and isn’t afraid to force the issue.

The reason Kizer is my biggest reach of this draft is mainly because of the “well, if he doesn’t work we’ll draft another one next year” attitude. Will we even have a good understanding after one season that we can pass up on the Sam Darnold/Josh Rosen legendary class of quarterbacks that’s supposed to come to the forefront in 2018?

The Panthers did something similar with Jimmy Clausen (drafted in the second round) and then turned around and drafted Cam Newton No. 1 overall. Could the Browns be heading down that similar path?

The last time the Browns committed to a starting quarterback out of the gate would be Brandon Weeden. Obviously that didn’t turn out well, but at least there were two-ish seasons of having the same guy in the huddle for some sort of consistency.

This season, early thoughts are that Cody Kessler will start the season, while Kizer sits until the front office feels he’s ready to win football games. While this is a nice thought, we know how injuries to Browns quarterbacks go.

We also know how antsy the fan base will get to see Kizer play should the season get off to a lackluster start. That’s why the Browns should consider starting DeShone Kizer in Week 1.

By now you’re probably ready to start tearing me to shreds in the comment section about rookie quarterbacks that were forced to play too early and failed, resulting in front-office blow ups and regime changes (see 2014 Browns). Hear me out.

Let’s take a look at Hue Jackson’s track record with a few quarterback examples:

Jason Campbell in Oakland
AJ McCarron and Andy Dalton in Cincinnati
Cody Kessler last year

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These four examples are pretty solid examples of how Hue has been able to maximize his talent at the quarterback position. Last year it was reported the Cody Kessler was nowhere near ready to play but was able to come in and play solid football. Enough to compete for the starting job this year.

Andy Dalton and the Bengals were an offensive juggernaut the year Jackson was there, and he even got a string of wins with Jason Campbell before the wheels fell off that Raider team.

If the Browns commit to the run behind this new offensive line and new defensive scheme, it adds all the right pieces to help a rookie quarterback as much as possible.

In reality, Kessler will most likely start the season under center and Kizer will get his opportunity in garbage time or because of injuries. My only argument was that the less we see of Kizer in year one, the harder the decision will be at season’s end to determine whether or not we will be spending a high draft pick on a quarterback.

Next: Predicting the post-draft starting defense

The Browns currently have three options to start at quarterback in Week 1, and in the NFL that means you have none. Give Kizer the chance this year to prove he’s the guy before the Browns are put in the position to go all-in on a top quarterback next year when it might not be necessary.

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