With the NFL Scouting Combine approaching, the Cleveland Browns are ready to pay close attention to the quarterback position. With the No.2 pick in the draft, they are poised to take the best option available in order to build past the Johnny Manziel drama. Head coach Hue Jackson has made it clear that a quarterback is the team's top priority and Josh McCown is making it clear he can be a good mentor to whoever is drafted.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns are leaning towards selecting a quarterback in the draft rather than chasing a free agent. It just remains to be seen who the highest-rated option is. Going into the combine, most of the attention has been on Wentz who raised his stock at the Senior Bowl. However, Jared Goff is making it clear that he is the best quarterback available and would love to go to Cleveland.
"I think my accuracy is as good as it gets at this level," Goff said, via Peter King of The Monday Morning Quarterback. "I think my pocket presence and my ability to extend plays speak for themselves. I'm confident I'll be the best quarterback in the draft. I'm not worried about it. I'm excited about it. Whatever team I go to, I'll be excited to go. I want to be the future of a franchise. I think I can be a guy who can make an impact right away."
The Browns have flexibility with the quarterback role. ESPN's Todd McShay has warned teams to proceed with caution with the quarterbacks this year as most of them will need time to develop before taking over a franchise. That is where having McCown will come in handy. McCown is under contract for two more seasons earning $5 million per year. He struggled with injuries that ended his 2015 season early, but if need be, he can start Week 1 for the Browns while someone develops underneath him. After failing to mentor Manziel, McCown likes the idea of a rookie coming in.
"My expectation is to come into work and be available and be ready to do whatever's asked of me. If that's to bring along a draft pick and to start until that guy's ready, then I'm willing to do that. If that's to go the full 16, I'm excited about doing that. If that's to help that guy as he takes over, whatever my role, whatever's asked of me, I'm just here to win football games," McCown said, via PFT Live. "Whatever my role is, I'm all in. I just want to help."
If the free agent quarterback market shapes up a little different than expected, the Browns will take a look. If players like Sam Bradford, Brock Osweiler and Ryan Fitzpatrick end up hitting the market, it is hard to see Cleveland avoiding talks with an already-established quarterback. Jackson is not looking to rebuild for too long and grabbing someone like Bradford could help avoid that.
