Cleveland Browns: Staff predictions for the first and fourth picks
By Randy Gurzi
Writer: Chris Markoch
Who they will take:
I believe that if you take a quarterback with the first overall pick, they should start right away. That won’t be the case with Darnold, but that doesn’t seem to be stopping this train. Hue Jackson has made it clear that he regards ball security as a key attribute in a quarterback. So, it’s safe to say that Darnold may not be his first choice. Nevertheless, it’s him or Josh Rosen and I see Darnold getting the nod.
Related Story: Browns Twitter reacts to Sam Darnold’s Pro Day
Who they still might take: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire and there has been a lot of smoke around the Browns interest in the Oklahoma quarterback. Coincidentally, his physical “measurables” are nearly identical to those of Tyrod Taylor. We may be asking the night of the draft did the Browns make up their mind on Mayfield before trading for Taylor, or the other way around?
Who’s the wild card: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Saying you’re going to pass on Barkley and actually passing on Barkley are two different things.
Who they will take:
This feels more like wishful thinking on my part because I agree with Mel Kiper and Todd McShay who are projecting him to the New York Giants with the second overall pick. However, if Barkley falls to this spot, I don’t see the Browns passing on him twice.
Who they still might take: Bradley Chubb, NC State
Chubb would be a bookend to last year’s first overall pick Myles Garrett and it creates all kind of possibilities for Gregg Williams’ defense. That may be a temptation that’s too hard to ignore.
Who’s the wild card: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
Let me preface this with…this is only if the Browns don’t take a quarterback with the first pick. I’m not suggesting the double dip. Here’s the thinking. Early on, Allen was the quarterback linked to the Browns.
It’s not unheard of on draft night to find out that a player a team liked early on becomes the player they wind up drafting. Why? His physical measurables (6-5, 233) are similar to Ben Roethlisberger (6-5, 240) who offensive coordinator Todd Haley has worked with in Pittsburgh.