The Cleveland Browns made a splash in free agency by signing quarterback Robert Griffin III to a two-year contract. Despite getting a $15 million deal that might indicate that Griffin is in line to be Cleveland's starter, it shouldn't stop the Browns from picking a quarterback second overall.
The issue now becomes whether or not that quarterback should be Jared Goff of Cal or Carson Wentz of North Dakota State. Chris Pokorny of Dawgs By Nature is here to make that decision for the Browns in the SB Nation NFL writers mock draft:
2. Browns: Jared Goff, QB, Cal
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Pokorny: When the rumblings about a quarterback started for the Browns again toward the end of last season, it was a dreadful feeling. "Do we have to sit through another experiment at quarterback?" That was before three very important changes for the organization: (1) the stocks of Jared Goff and Carson Wentz skyrocketing, (2) Johnny Manziel going on a rampage that spelled the end of his career in Cleveland and (3) the team hiring a quarterback-friendly coach in Hue Jackson. As I make this selection, the Browns have just signed Robert Griffin III, but that signing should not prevent the Browns from taking a quarterback at No. 2 overall.
Everything the Browns’ front office has done this offseason has signaled that they are trying to go all-in with a long-term rebuilding plan instead of the short-term, quick-fix rebuilds that have been attempted numerous times since 1999. Part of that might involve starting a more experienced quarterback like RGIII, while letting Goff have the benefit that is seldom provided to rookie quarterbacks these days: soaking everything in for a year or two before taking over the reigns. As for choosing between Goff and Wentz, it’s almost like throwing a dart at a board when trying to truly place money on which quarterback will have a better NFL career than the other. I’m always a bit wary of quarterbacks who emerge out of nowhere leading up to the draft, so I went with the more established commodity in Goff.
Analysis: There's really not much else to add here because Goff rates as my top quarterback in this year's draft. The issue, of course, will be how he integrates with Griffin in the team's quarterback room.
Dan's Top 5 players remaining
- 1. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
- 3. Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State
- 4. Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
- 6. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
- 7. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
Browns picks
- 1-2: Jared Goff, QB, Cal
- 1-19: (coming April 8)
We have one more pick to close out the first day of the 10th-annual SB Nation NFL writers mock draft. Coming up at 3 p.m. ET is Bolts from the Blue making the pick for the San Diego Chargers.
Complete draft results:
1. Tennessee Titans - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss (Link)
2. Cleveland Browns - Jared Goff, QB, Cal (Link)
3. San Diego Chargers - Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State (Link)