Quarterback is a glaring need for the Cleveland Browns. With quarterback Deshaun Watson re-tearing his Achilles, the current quarterback on the roster is Kenny Pickett. That’s it. For now. The team will likely add another veteran quarterback, including a potential Kirk Cousins trade, and could potentially draft a quarterback in this upcoming draft.
If the team were to draft a quarterback with the second overall pick, let’s say Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Sanders (or Cam Ward for that matter) isn’t going to automatically solve the team’s offensive problems.
Some general thoughts on Sanders as a prospect:
- Good, not great, quarterback
- He has his limitations.
- He’s not someone that Cleveland should take second overall
Drafting a quarterback second overall will not fix the problems that the offense has, again, even if they are able to select Ward. Sure, the team has one of their problems addressed, but it won’t fix the entire offense as a whole.
As far as the offensive line goes, it’s a concern but not a major one. Looking at the left tackle spot, it’s clear that the team will not be bringing back tackle Jed Wills with Dawand Jones will likely move over to the left tackle spot. Jones is coming off another season-ending injury. As far as the interior goes, the guard spots are fine, but Joel Bitonio is getting older and is slowly showing signs of decline and Wyatt Teller has been rumored to be dealt (it looks unlikely) after the team signed Teven Jenkins in free agency.
Skill positions? It needs some form of injection of talent. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is the de facto primary receiver, but he could use a quality running mate opposite of him. The depth is less than appealing. The running back room is still a question mark, no one has any idea what the team is considering at the position with running back Nick Chubb currently a free agent. There has been radio silence from both parties despite many expecting him to return:
Depth in the tight end room is also lacking.
Drafting a quarterback might fix a “problem” that the Browns have, but it won’t fix the entire problems that this Cleveland offense has. Expectations should be lowered if the team were to go that route and don’t expect the quarterback to make the offense instantly better.
