2018 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting every first round selection
player. 53. . QB. USC. Sam Darnold. 4
The Browns already have their star tailback, now it’s time to fix the quarterback problem. The last two quarterbacks to win a football game for the Cleveland Browns are Robert Griffin III and Johnny Manziel. Three different players saw time under center in 2017: DeShone Kizer, Kevin Hogan and Cody Kessler, all failed to scratch across a win.
As if 0-16 wasn’t bad enough, none of their quarterbacks were even remotely successful. All three of them threw more interceptions than touchdowns and none of them posted a QBR better than 39. Cleveland had the opportunity to draft a quarterback in the first round last year and passed, now it’s time to pull the trigger.
Former USC Trojan Sam Darnold will be the Browns’ top choice. Although he struggled with turnovers in his final collegiate season the one-time Heisman hopeful can make every throw. Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman can fly they just need someone with the accuracy and arm strength to get them the football.
Darnold’s final game of his career, a Cotton Bowl loss to Ohio State, prove he has some growing up to do. If the Browns allow him time to develop coach Hue Jackson will be able to turn Darnold into a viable NFL quarterback – possibly the best passer in Cleveland in more than a decade.