With the number one overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft and big needs in almost every position, the Cleveland Browns don’t plan on adding another veteran quarterback to the mix, nor are they going to use their first pick on a rookie QB coming out of college.
At least, that seems to be the vibe coming out of Cleveland. Their current quarterback roster includes Kevin Hogan, Cody Kessler and Brock Osweiler. With 21 starts in 5 seasons, Osweiler is the most experienced signal-caller for the Browns, and he might be released or traded pretty soon, considering he’s on an awful contract and no one believes he can be a starting quarterback for anyone. However, the Browns have said they intend to give him a shot to compete for a starting spot.
Is it true? No one knows. While the Browns are expected to pick Myles Garrett first overall and NOT trade away their first round pick like last season (which ended up going to the Eagles, taking Carson Wentz), they can pick a quarterback later down the ladder, which would surely mean Osweiler is about to get dumped. The indication about not adding any more veteran quarterbacks has more to do with rumors about A.J. McCarron of the Cincinnati Bengals and Jimmy Garoppolo of the New England Patriots; both of them are often mentioned in trade rumors, but they probably won’t be landing in Cleveland.
The Browns have shown interest in Groppolo, but the Patriots want more than the 12th overall pick for someone who has little to zero quarterback experience. The Patriots banking on teams being desperate enough to count on the little he showed last season, plus the hype over his development prospects, hasn’t really paid off, but things happen on draft night that move players like Garoppolo, who doesn’t want to be Brady’s backup forever. Brady doesn’t plan on retiring.
Back to the Browns. It’s impossible to tell where this team ends up when draft night is over and the roster picture looks clearer. This is a bad team probably more than one year away of rebuilding, especially without a solid quarterback. There’s a good chance they go another season without figuring out that position.