The Cleveland Browns appear ready to move on from Johnny Manziel after hiring Hue Jackson as head coach and that could lead the team to target Jared Goff, Carson Wentz or Paxton Lynch in the NFL draft.
Manziel had an up and down season with the Browns on and off the field and now that Jackson has been hired, the team could move on from the quarterback. According to Pro Football Talk, Jackson was on Bleacher Report's XM Radio show earlier in the month and when asked about the Manziel and the QB situation, Jackson said that the team needs an upgrade at the position.
Jackson said "it's my opinion we need a quarterback," and while that doesn't mean Manziel is officially done in Cleveland, it likely means he is done as a starting option for the team. The Browns are in position to add a quarterback in the draft and the team also could consider options in free agency, including players like Sam Bradford or Kirk Cousins. Josh McCown is expected to be back, but the Browns likely will add at least one other player to compete or develop for next season.
Manziel has shown some explosiveness on the field, but his inconsistency and issues off the field could keep him from getting anywhere in Cleveland. Jackson is a no-nonsense coach and that could leave Manziel on the outside looking in as Jackson takes over. According to Dan Graziano and Pat McManamon at ESPN, sources have said that Jackson "would prefer the organization move on from Manziel" heading into the 2016 season.
Even if Manziel remains on the roster, Jackson is likely going to give McCown and whoever else comes in the chance to start. Most early mock drafts have the Browns looking at Jared Goff at the number two pick, but players like Lynch and Wentz also could end up as targets for the team. The draft process and combine workouts will help the team evaluate things and that could put one quarterback over the top for the Browns.
Sam Bradford is a potential option in free agency, but the Eagles appear to be looking to retain the quarterback into next season. The Browns could look at making a trade for a quarterback, but with the number two pick in hand, it's likely the team takes a QB to develop for the future. Goff is considered by most scouts to be the top prospect this year, while Wentz has been making an impression at the Senior Bowl this week and could move up draft boards.
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