The draft the Cleveland Browns should have, but probably won’t

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Cleveland Browns during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Cleveland Browns during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT /
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ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – JANUARY 18: Tyler Huntley #1 from Utah playing for the West Team drops back to throw a pass during the third quarter against the East Team at the 2020 East West Shrine Bowl at Tropicana Field on January 18, 2020 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – JANUARY 18: Tyler Huntley #1 from Utah playing for the West Team drops back to throw a pass during the third quarter against the East Team at the 2020 East West Shrine Bowl at Tropicana Field on January 18, 2020 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Pick Analysis. Quarterback. Utah. Scouting Report. TylerHuntley. 175. player. 843

This brings us to the fifth-round which, until the trade with Green Bay, the Browns were originally likely to sit out. Adding No. 175 opens a few interesting doors for the Browns. Late-round picks are usually where teams fill out special teams or take a chance on what they believe is in an undervalued player. Enter Tyler Huntley.

It may surprise some Browns fans for the team to use a fifth-round pick on a quarterback with Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum on the roster. However, this is straight from the New England Patriots tree of sustainability. The Browns now have a proven veteran in case of an injury to their franchise quarterback Mayfield. They also get one of, if not the, most undervalued players in the 2020 draft.

Huntley had an incredible year as Utah’s starting quarterback. He threw for 3,092 yards with 19 touchdowns to only four interceptions. He broke school records for completion percentage (73 percent) and passer rating (177.5). He was also named first-team All-Pac-12 over Oregon’s Justin Herbert (a projected top-10 pick). Huntley has some footwork and basic mechanics issues that can easily be ironed out.

The Browns steal a great developmental quarterback that can either become trade bait for draft picks or a replacement for Mayfield if a new contract becomes an issue in a couple of years.