I hope Mel Kiper Jr. and the Browns are thanking the same thing when it comes to the 2018 NFL Draft.

I hope and pray that they’re thinking the same thing.

I would be willing to go to church and light candles to make certain that they’re thinking the same thing.

You think I’m kidding? I’m as serious as I can be. I would light those candles in a heartbeat if I thought it would help their thinking to be in lock-step.

The ESPN draft analyst has come out with his first mock draft and has the Browns taking Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen at No. 1 overall and Penn State running back Saquon Barkley at No. 4.

If only that would happen.

Goodness, if only that would happen.

The Browns have been so incredibly challenged offensively for all but two seasons, 2002 and ’07, of the expansion era. In the NFL, where all the rule changes in the last 40 years have been made to give something to the offense and take something from the defense because every survey the league takes indicates its fans want to see offenses go up and down the field and score 40 points a game, a team that has a bad offense and can’t score points on a consistent basis has no chance – absolutely, positively no chance – to win. That’s where the Browns are at. They’re not just losing games, but they’re also boring to watch.

So for the Browns to get what not just Kiper, but others in the know as well, think is the best quarterback and the best running back in the draft, would do wonders to revitalize that offense. And by making the offense dramatically better, the Browns as a team would be dramatically better.

I’m not sold at all on quarterbacks Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen or Baker Mayfield. At 6-foot-5 and 233 pounds, Allen has the size to play in the AFC North, where big quarterbacks rule. He wouldn’t have to play right away. He could sit and learn behind the veteran quarterback the Browns will acquire in the offseason, probably Kansas City’s Alex Smith.

And from watching a steady diet of Big Ten games the last couple of seasons, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the Barkley is truly dynamic. Imagine pairing him in the same backfield with the MVP of the Browns this season, Duke Johnson.

That’s really exciting. It’s really hopeful.

And it’s within the Browns’ grasp if they want to do it.

So what do you think?