Browns GM John Dorsey holds the No. 1 pick in the draft and he is considering a larger pool of players than you might expect. Speaking to reporters at the site of the Senior Bowl this week, Dorsey indicated that both Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Wyoming’s Josh Allen are in the mix.
“In 2013, I had the first pick in the draft with the Kansas City Chiefs, and there really wasn’t a quarterback prospect there,” Dorsey said (via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com). “Actually in this class there are four to five prospects that make you think at least are they worthy of that position. So now I think what you do is you let the process unfold.”
USC’s Sam Darnold and UCLA’s Josh Rosen, of course, are also believed to be in the running. It’s not immediately clear who the fifth player might be, if there is one.
Here’s more on the Browns:
- We’ve heard rumblings of rookie quarterbacks not wanting to go to the Browns in the past, but Allen says that he would embrace the opportunity to help engineer Cleveland’s comeback. “If I’m fortunate enough to become a Cleveland Brown, you can expect everything from me,” Allen told 92.3 The Fan. “I want to be the guy that turns around the Cleveland Browns. The guy that does that is going to be immortalized in Cleveland forever.”
- Tackle Joe Thomas, who is still undecided about whether he’ll play in 2018, endorsed the team’s decision to retain coach Hue Jackson in an essay for The MMQB. Thomas was also optimistic about what the future may hold for the Browns, citing the team’s cap room and draft capital. It’s possible that these factors will motivate Thomas to return, but he may also wait until we get closer to the start of free agency to announce his plans.
- On Wednesday, the Browns formally announced the hiring of former Pittsburgh play caller Todd Haley as their new offensive coordinator.
I don’t follow college football that much…is Allen good? Is he better than Rosen or Darnold? I’ve watched those guys play and I think they are pretty good but haven’t really watched Allen.
I think he’s better than Darnold and has a higher ceiling than Rosen.
Agree to disagree. He’s the least accurate of the three QB’s.
Makes sense that they’d be looking at him for the number one pick then. Thank you for the info.
Agree to disagree. He’s the least accurate passer of the three.
Agree to disagree. He’s the least accurate passer of the 1+1+1
I agree, he certainly needs to be fine tuned to improve his accuracy, but he easily has the highest ceiling of these QBs. Good release, great arm, solid mobility, and he has the prototypical size you want. I think his footwork affects his accuracy, but that can be corrected.
Rosen is the most ready to play, but I’d take Allen. Then again I’m no scout, that’s just what I see.
Agreed. And while Allen’s last year wasn’t good, the fact that the team lost their top wide receivers (amongst other players; I might be mistaken but I think their starting RB left as well) has to be taken into consideration. When comparing him to the other top QBs, he checks off most of the boxes. Rosen has drawn red flags for his perceived lack of motivation/not being 100% committed to football. Darnold has just as many accuracy issues as Allen. Mayfield comes with character concerns. Lamar Jackson’s game might not translate that well into the pros.
Also, lost most of his o-line.
Allen has tools to succeed and room to improve.
Rosen will succeed in right environment.
I get a Sam Bradford vibe off Darnold for some reason. He’ll be a good NFL QB but never hit all cylinders for a full season.
Mayfield I just don’t think has maturity right now maybe he grows up or maybe I’m wrong. I just see Jeff George
Lamar Jackson will be a steal. Build your offensive scheme to his talents and work on his weaknesses and you have a guy who can win games
Allen has the best raw skill set of any QB entering this years draft. Losing his center Chase Roullier to the Washington Redskins (6th round pick) proved to be a domino effect towards a depleted offensive line. So his numbers do not tell the story of this past season. I personally would compare him to Carson Wentz with a BIGGER arm. Yes I know it sounds crazy but he truly has a bigger arm than Wentz. With that said there is also little to support him being as cerebral as Carson. Not to mention being as poised and able to read coverages like Wentz. That will be something I think teams will try to figure out in the coming weeks, but as far as pure talent this guy checks all the boxes, mobility, arm strength, accuracy, throwing on the run, and designed runs are not out of that question as he is that physical and fast. Overall I see a player comp out of college as a hybrid of Carson Wentz and Patrick Mahomes Jr. The comparisons to Wentz also deepen in that he was barely sought after coming out of High School. He was a hidden gem coming out of HS and a newly discovered lower tier college player coming into the pros.
I may even throw in a Jay Cutler comp-who has not lived up to his talent but has also been one of the highest criticized QBs in the NFL based on mostly salary.
Joe Thomas is the most admirable player in the NFL. Period.
Lamar Jackson might be the fifth QB or Mason Rudolph
“…there really wasn’t a quarterback prospect there”
You’re telling me— Glennon and Landry are the only two still in the league I think.
I used to be in the Allen at #1 camp, but now I hope Dorsey takes Barkley at #1.
I am sorry I am not impressed with any of these qbs for even Top 10 picks. I believe there will be a lot of disappointed fanbases out there 3-5 yrs down the road after this draft. Any QB coming out I feel would be best served to sit behind somebody for a year or probably even 2 yrs. Rosen’s ego is to big for that he will cause problems. Allen I think will take a minimum of 3 yrs to develop what coach or GM has that type of time he will be rushed.
Jackson is the dark horse will his game translate or won’t it. Darnold I don’t think is really gonna be that good I think he will have a good career but will just be like a Alex Smith type career better stats but just not a perennial winner. Allen I feel in the late 1st round to a team with an older QB to help his development will be a steal. But for me the guy 2 best guys will be Mayfield because of his work ethic & Rudolph because the team taking him will have time for him to sit and develop him