5 Cleveland Browns targets with skyrocketing stock after combine
By John Suchan
Cleveland Browns targeted player No. 1: QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
Eventually, the Browns are going to need to draft a new quarterback. Baker Mayfield is in the last year of his rookie contract and chances of him returning to play for them beyond this season are suspect at best. The fact that the team has not negotiated an extension at this point and is letting Mayfield play out the contract is not a healthy football relationship.
So Cleveland is likely looking around the league at veteran replacements but also analyzing the latest group of quarterbacks coming out of college. Several players have risen to the top of the group and there could be three to four quarterbacks taken in the first round of this upcoming draft.
Desmond Ridder from the University of Cincinnati has had a great career as a Bearcat and his Combine performances this week have been outstanding. Ridder ran well in the 40-yard dash bursting to a 4.49 second time. He recorded a 36-inch vertical jump and had a 10-foot-7 broad jump.
Ridder was a four-year starter at Cincinnati. He finished his career by throwing for over 10,239 yards, 87 touchdowns to only 28 interceptions, and had a career 62 percent completion rate. He got his team to the semifinal game of the college playoff this past season as well. The kid knows how to win.
His size standing at 6-4 is very appealing and many teams will be looking to draft Ridder after the impressive week he had, he may be drafted much higher than some had originally projected.
Cleveland should be in that mix of teams that will be thinking about drafting the young and talented quarterback. With all the uncertainty that surrounds Baker Mayfield and his future in Cleveland, taking a chance on a player of Ridder’s talents might be too much for the Browns to pass on.
Next. Post-combine 7-round mock draft. dark
If he’s there for the taking when their number is called on the draft board look for the Browns to call Ridder’s name.