Don't Draft a Quarterback in the First Round? Really?

According to a poll I read, 27% of you think the Browns should not draft a quarterback in the first round.

I couldn't figure this put, until I read a seven round mock draft which had the Browns listing Deshaun Watson as a second round pick (but explaining that they would probably have traded it into the bottom of the first round).

This is so sad.  First, the writer expects Watson to slide all the way down there.  Second, you believe it.

It is barely possible that you could accidentally be right about not taking a quarterback in the first round, although you would of course be wrong about Deshaun Watson.

In my previous post, I brought Rodney Kesslerfield back from Oblivia and reminded myself and you of his performance and continued existance.

More recently, I read an article by Brett Oswalt of Numberfire about redrafting the 2012 quarterbacks, knowing then what we know now.

Russell Wilson would have gone first.  Then Andrew Luck.  Then Kirk Cousins, then Ryan Tannehill, and RG3 dead last.

In fairness, and as the writer stipulates, Luck went to a really bad team, whereas Wilson hit the lottery.  

Still, Wilson and Cousins were both drafted late, as backups.  Tannehill went low in the first round as a project-type hopeful.  Luck and RG3 were considered the top two, with Luck the only can't miss guy.

This got me to thinking: Maybe Hue Jackson really can identify another Cousins or Wilson hiding in the weeds.

It's true that the odds against lower draft picks ever emerging steepen sharply after the top three; ie that for every Cousins or Wilson there are 4-5 guys you never heard of, and never will.

But why assume that this applies to Hue Jackson?  Can't he be that exceedingly rare individual who can look at a particular lump of coal and see the diamond within?

He sure seems confident that he is, partly because he is certain that he can bring out the best in any quarterback.

I think that Hue Jackson wants 1: Accuracy/anticipation 1a: Intelligence 2: Dedication 3: the other stuff (size, arm, athleticism etc.)  And, of course, the "it" factor, which is really about inspiring confidence in teammates, and coming through in the crunch.

If Hue has a core of accuracy, intelligence, and dedication (really a love of football), he can build him a franchise quarterback.

Hue also believes he knows the less obvious traits when he sees them.  He ignored everybody else's opinions, and took Cody Kessler in the third round.  Probably, he is still ignoring everybody else, and is the only guy on the planet who believes he already has his quarterback.

I will be the only guy on the planet who doesn't think he knows better than Hue.

Hue has also said that the most important ingredients in a franchise quarterback recipe are a good defense, a good offensive line, and good skill players.

Looking at Ryan, Big Ben, Rodgers, and Brady, we can beg to differ, but only so much:  The Falcons and Steelers are loaded with talent.  Brady isn't doing it all by himself either.

Only Aaron Rodgers is working with a so-so defense, sans his top wide receiver, and an unreliable running game.

Think about it.  What if Cody Kessler had gone to Dallas, and Prescott to the Browns?  No, it's not rediculous.  Kessler probably wouldn't have won as many games (he can't sling it deep or run like Dak at this point), but he wouldn't have been injured and knocked out.  Dak would have got pounded and probably labelled a bust by some.

But the Browns WILL acquire another quarterback, and it will be Hue Jackson's call.  He might find the new guy at the Senior Bowl.  My dark horse candidate is Chad Kelly from Ole Miss.

I've heard conflicting reports about his accuracy/anticipation, but that usually means a guy has those traits, and is getting bashed for throwing off-balance etc.  I don't know how smart he is, but know Uncle Jim is really smart.  He has NFL size, an NFL arm, and is a borderline dual threat athlete.

But that's a wild guess.  All I know is, Cody Kessler should beat out Griffin to start next season, and Hue will try to find somebody who is better than he is (and doesn't have two concussions yet).

As for Trubisky and Watson, the majority of the aforementioned 27% should stop believing everything they read, and confusing analytics with beancounting.

If Hue Jackson  thinks that either one has a good chance of becoming another Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady, they have to just draft him first overall.  

If we had the 2012 draft to do over, the Browns might draft Russell Wilson, and hear all the same caterwalling.

Once, everybody laughed at this clown who said the world was round.