This years draft seems to be fairly talented but it has a lot to live up to. The Browns have the no.2 overall pick and usually that's a good thing when you're trying to build up the program and you have a new head coach. Most critics/analysts would tell you that's where you draft a quarterback, especially since the Browns are in the market for a new one. Josh McCown's time was up and he clearly was never the long-term answer; Johnny Manziel couldn't seem to stay out of his own way and he stayed in the news about more off-the-field issues than his performance on it.
But, this year it might not be that simple. I don't know if there's that clear-cut no.1 quarterback that's worthy of being a "franchise" player or one that will change the culture of the organization.
There have been a lot of analysts that are projecting University of California quarterback, Jared Goff to be drafted to Cleveland. Goff, 6-foot-4 is a traditional pocket-passer, started three seasons in college and ended with an overall record of 13-23. Statistically, his numbers make it seem like he's a sure thing. However, how many teams have we seen quarterbacks get drafted high in the first round because of their college stats and no work out? We've seen it more times than we'd like to in the past decade alone.
Goff's stats from Cal:
- 2013: 18 TDs 10 INT's 60.3 Comp%
- 2014: 35 TDs 7 INTs 62 Comp%
- 2015: 43 TDs 13 INTs 65 Comp%
Newly acquired head coach Hue Jackson, had a lot of people impressed this past season with the strides that Bengals quarterback made under him, in his very complex offense. Dalton had best season as a professional, thus far, with Jackson as the offensive coordinator. However, in all fairness to the Bengals and taking nothing away from Jackson, the Bengals had a lot of good players surrounding Dalton and they played a vital role in his performance/success this past season also.
There's nothing that leads me to believe that Jackson can't accomplish the same with a quarterback that's already in the league that might be looking for a new "home". Robert Griffin III is said to be available? Ryan Mallet? Sam Bradford? ... And these are guys that, in the right system, can really contribute a lot to a team and they're still fairly young players.
There's is one player that comes to mind in this draft that I believe could be a difference maker and help this team turn things around ... Ole Miss receiver, Laquon Treadwell.
Treadwell, 6-foot-3 is something that the Browns organization has been missing ... No, I didn't forget about Josh Gordon but since he didn't play last season and is currently still suspended I can't include him on the roster ... He's bigger in stature and he is a good route-runner and explosive downfield as well. Coming off of his best season as a junior at Ole Miss after suffering a very serious leg injury the previous year before in a game against Auburn, while running into the end zone for a touchdown.
A lot of people didn't think Treadwell would ever be the same after that injury. After putting in the work in the offseason and rehabbing, he came back just in time for the start of the 2015 season.
In his 2015 campaign Treadwell caught 82 passes for better than 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns. Not too bad for a guy coming off of a broken leg.
It was just reported that Treadwell would not be running the 40-yard-dash at the combine. This may draw some red flags with some coaches and organizations, but overall I don't think it'll be that big of a deal.
Top WR prospect Treadwell won't run 40 at #NFLCombine— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) February 22, 2016
See his explanation for decision: https://t.co/EWkV80q7EB pic.twitter.com/543z1GkzLG
I know, I know. Drafting a receiver that early isn't smart, and it's too risky... But is drafting any player a sure thing? I mean it's your first-round, they're suppose to be your best picks.
Since 2010 the Browns have had eight first-round picks:
- 2010: Joe Haden, Corner back
- 2011: Phil Taylor, Defensive tackle
- 2012: Trent Richardson, Running back; Brandon Weeden, Quarterback
- 2013: Barkevious Mingo, Linebacker
- 2014:Justin Gilbert, Corner back; Johnny Manziel, Quarterback
- 2015: Danny Shelton, Defensive tackle
None of the eight first-round selections were there a wide receiver taken. Along the way the Browns have passed on a lot of good talent at the receiver position. These players include: Kendall Wright, Michael Floyd, Tavon Austin, DeAndre Hopkins, Kelvin Benjamin, Brandin Cooks, Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Algholor, Breshad Perriman, DeVante Parker, Julio Jones, Sammy Watkins.
But there's no point in talking about first-round selections of the past, honestly. Hue Jackson has a chance to come in and leave a mark on this organization and help turn around an organization that has been struggling since they came back into the league in 1999. There's been very little consistency, poor coaching jobs and the drafting hasn't been too much better, to be honest.
Playing professional football isn't easy, that's why so few people can do it. Coaching professional football or any sport, for that matter, is equally as tough, that's why fewer people do it. Being able to actually is going to work out in "your" system is hard to tell. Well, sometimes damn near impossible just judging players off of film from college, the NFL combine, and a glorified workout known as an NFL Pro day.
I don't know what the Browns will do with the no.2 overall draft selection. However, I do know Hue Jackson is the type of guy to take risks and I know that he loves his skill position guys.
Also, think about this. When drafting that high in the first round, you have to ask yourself, can this player help change the culture on the field and in the locker room? Goff put up numbers but wasn't winning much at Cal. Treadwell, on the other hand, helped change the culture at Ole Miss and helped them to be one of the top teams in the SEC and all of college football.
There's no point in having a young "franchise" quarterback with no weapons around him to help him.
Currently, the best receiving options in Cleveland are Travis Benjamin, Gary Barnidge, Taylor Gabriel and Andrew Hawkins
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