Games, stadium debts, and Deftones: While We’re Waiting…
February 5, 2016Johnny Manziel’s agent terminates relationship; family is concerned for his life
February 5, 2016ESPN’s Todd McShay may have had the Cleveland Browns selecting Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch in his first mock draft back in mid-December, but after college football bowl season, watching more film, and studying up much more, McShay appears to have changed his mind. In the second iteration of his many mock drafts, however, he has the Browns sticking with the quarterback position, but taking California’s Jared Goff with the second overall pick.
2. Cleveland Browns (3-13)
Jared Goff, QB, California Golden Bears
If [Ohio State defensive end Joey] Bosa is still on the board here for whatever reason, he would be a good option. But quarterback is undoubtedly Cleveland’s top need, and the more tape I study, the more I believe it’s a two-horse race between Goff and North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz for the No. 1 passer. As it stands now — after studying five of Goff’s games this season and four of Wentz’s — the two have identical grades. From Cleveland’s perspective, Goff has a bit more velocity on his fastball to cut through the wind, while Wentz has more experience playing in the cold. Tough call, but I’ll go with Goff for now.
Considered to be the most NFL-ready quarterback by many experts, Goff decided to declare for the draft following his junior season with the Golden Bears. During his brief three years at Cal, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound gunslinger racked up 12,195 passing yards, 96 touchdowns and 30 interceptions, while completing 977-of-1,568 (62.3 percent) of his pass attempts. His 977 career completions and 12,195 yards through the air were both school records.
Carson Wentz, who McShay gave the same draft grade to, will be headed south to the Dallas Cowboys. Wentz, obviously, is another option at quarterback for the Browns as well. His explanation on Wentz:
Now that I’m deep into Wentz’s tape, I feel very comfortable saying he’s a legit first-round talent. He has the height, sturdy frame, natural accuracy, pocket mobility and on-field leadership you look for in a QB. He was 20-3 as a starter at NDSU and won two FCS national titles. You could certainly make a case for the Cowboys taking the best available D-line prospect, such as Oregon’s DeForest Buckney. But if Dallas is sold on Wentz (or Goff, if he’s available), this could prove to be a very wise long-term investment at the game’s most important position.
In ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s first mock draft, he also had the Browns selecting Goff with their second overall pickl. Piling on is NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks also has Cleveland selecting Goff at No. 2.
For those wondering, McShay has seven Buckeyes pegged to go in the first round: defensive end Joey Bosa to Tennessee (No. 1 overall pick), offensive tackle Taylor Decker to Indianapolis (No. 18), running back Ezekiel Elliott to the New York Jets (No. 20), linebacker Darron Lee to Minnesota (No. 23), wide receiver Braxton Miller to Cincinnati (No. 24), cornerback Eli Apple to Pittsburgh (No. 25), and safety Vonn Bell to Kansas City (No. 28). Yes, Browns fans, that’s three Bucks going in three consecutive picks, two of which are within the AFC North. Also, he has former Buckeye and defensive end Noah Spence heading to Arizona at No. 29.
With the (likely) departure of current Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel, new head coach Hue Jackson will want to select his guy to develop behind center, but the biggest question will be: who will his guy be? All we can do is wait and see.
59 Comments
Tell him that lies make the baby Jesus cry. Tears. Apologies. Truth. Done.
I think it speaks more to how important the QB position is in the NFL. If you can get even a mediocre QB, then you can point to how having a good left tackle is vital.
I’m doing it. Thanks!
If that path fails, I would personally go with this one as a last resort.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BmuEhjUCAAAqlyf.jpg
sounds like what I need on an airplane
you may be right, I may be crazy. But that #1 overall pick crown weighs heavy, and it’s almost an impossible expectation to live up to. He may very well be above average, but I dont think he will dominate.
as we all know, a lot of it depends on where these players end up, if they’re being used “correctly” etc. etc. His ability to drop into coverage wont matter for a hill of beans if his coaches dont want him to do it
When he dons the sacred orange, errrr, new orange helmet, I don’t care where he played out his eligibility…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6Y15enatqg
Sooo, draft Tunsil, and soak some team for a ridiculous package of draft picks for Joe T? Hmmmm…