Browns Predicted to Make Wild Quarterback Decision

The Cleveland Browns are 0-2 going into their matchup this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, and they’re in that familiar position of having to build for the future rather than be able to win now.

In particular, they’re still in search of the true franchise quarterback that they haven’t had since perhaps Bernie Kosar in the 1980s and early 1990s. Deshaun Watson didn’t work out the last three seasons, and it looks like neither will Shedeur Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.

In next year’s NFL draft, Arch Manning of the University of Texas may not be the only potential franchise signal-caller who will be available. LaNorris Sellers of the University of South Carolina has seen his stock rise lately, and some would argue that he and not Manning will be the top QB prospect next year.

Draft analyst Luke Easterling recently did a mock draft in which he had the Browns holding the No. 2 pick. But instead of having them take a QB such as Manning or Sellers, he predicted they would take Francis Mauigoa, an offensive tackle from the University of Miami.

“Most third-round picks wouldn’t keep a team from spending a top-two pick on a potential franchise passer, but the Browns don’t exactly follow conventional wisdom at the position, and it sure seems like they love Dillon Gabriel,” Easterling wrote. “If they don’t take a quarterback here, they need to invest in the future of the offensive line, and Mauigoa would be the perfect long-term replacement for Jack Conklin at right tackle.

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Gabriel, the No. 94 pick in this year’s draft, hasn’t exactly looked like a future Pro Bowler. He has attempted a grand total of three passes so far this season, and he’s second on Cleveland’s depth chart behind the 40-year-old Joe Flacco.

When the team traded for Watson three years ago, it looked like the team had put together a competitive roster on both sides of the football, especially since it had a promising offensive line as well. But Watson, who was a three-time Pro Bowler and led the NFL in passing yards in 2020 while with the Houston Texans, immediately saw his production take a nosedive.

The Browns need a lot more than help at the quarterback position or on their offensive line. They don’t have a bona fide threat at the wide receiver or running back spots, and while Myles Garrett remains one of football’s best defensive ends, he lacks support alongside him on the team’s front seven.

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Cleveland has more difficult games coming up after this weekend. It will face the Detroit Lions on the road in Week 4, and it has games against the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers in the following two weeks.

The team could very well be no better than 2-6 when it has its bye in Week 9.

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