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Cleveland Browns: 2018 NFL Mock Draft post-combine

By Randy Gurzi

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: USC quarterback Sam Darnold talks with Ken Zampese of the Cleveland Browns during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: USC quarterback Sam Darnold talks with Ken Zampese of the Cleveland Browns during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: USC quarterback Sam Darnold talks with Ken Zampese of the Cleveland Browns during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: USC quarterback Sam Darnold talks with Ken Zampese of the Cleveland Browns during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Round 1 Pick 1: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

This may be my least favorite pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, but it seems like everyone else finds USC’s Sam Darold to be the best quarterback in this draft. The Browns have to take the best quarterback, so logic says this is going to be the choice.

Darnold didn’t throw at the Combine, which is understandable. He had nothing to gain by going out there and throwing to receivers he’s not comfortable with, so that’s no knock on him at all.

Related Story: Addressing Shaquem Griffin’s incredible Combine

The problem with him though is that Darnold displayed happy feet and poor mechanics for the Trojans. While others like Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield seem more enticing, they also have their own questions.

Mayfield is undersized and had issues off the field and on it in terms of poor sportsmanship. Allen has accuracy issues, but may have helped himself with a great showing at the Combine.

In the end, Cleveland decides that Darnold is the man. He was much better in 2016 than this past year, which could be attributed to better health around him. Darnold did have backup offensive linemen blocking for him and receivers were hurt as well.

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