2018 NFL Mock Draft: Complete first round after pro days, trades
player. Scouting Report. Southern California. 1. 53. Pick Analysis. Quarterback. Sam Darnold
Needs: QB, CB, RT
The Cleveland Browns are in need of a franchise player, and most importantly a franchise quarterback, that can bring positivity to the Browns organization. They’re in need of jersey and ticket sales and have parlayed an 0-16 season into the first overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Browns, however, are not devoid of talent. They have weapons for a franchise quarterback to use to his advantage. That quarterback will be the Southern California Trojans’ Sam Darnold.
Darnold didn’t have the most impressive season statistically in 2017. Yet he is the first quarterback taken off the board because of potential- which is how the NFL drafts their players.
The Browns have one of the NFL’s most up and coming offensive lines and with the additions of Jarvis Landry and Carlos Hyde to Josh Gordon, Duke Johnson, and David Njoku– there are plenty of weapons at Darnold’s disposal. Darnold won’t have to start day one in Cleveland either. The Browns traded for former Bills’ starter Tyrod Taylor who can take the early lumps as the Browns free agents and rookies gel while Darnold learns the game.
Where Johnny Manziel and Deshone Kizer failed I believe the Browns organization is in a better position to succeed in 2018 than the prior few seasons. If Cleveland spends the rest of the 2018 draft outside of round one on defense they can be at the Jaguars level in two seasons.