Reportedly, allegedly, the decision-makers at Browns Headquarters in Berea are not all on the same page about whey should do with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
Reportedly, allegedly, there are some, namely Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown, who want to select quarterback Mitchell Trubisky from take North Carolina and Mentor High School. And there are others, namely head coach Hue Jackson and no doubt also new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who prefer Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett.
So what’s going on? Is this true? Can it be true?
Sure, it certainly could be true. Anything is possible. Never say never, or always, especially in the NFL, and even more so in the draft.
But I’m not convinced – not at all – that it is actually true. There are many more indicators pointing in that direction than there are pointing in the direction of it being true.
First of all, it doesn’t make sense. Garrett is – by far – the best player on the board, by everybody’s estimation. And, also by everybody’s estimation, the Browns need help at just about every position, particularly defensive end, so taking him would definitely fill a big need. Meanwhile, this is the worst quarterback class in who knows how long, again by everybody’s estimation.
Yes, the Browns need a franchise quarterback, and yes, finding such is the most critical part of the team’s complete overhaul because quarterback is the most important position in team sports.
But you can’t force things. If there are no quarterbacks worthy of being taken at No. 1, then why reach and reach and reach some more to pick one? Teams get into trouble – big trouble – doing that. History tells us so.
In addition, this is silly season, the time when all teams stretch the truth so as to protect their own interests. And this may be a perfect example of that, with the Browns using this supposed split in their hierarchy as a way to keep everyone guessing as to what’s going on.
We’ll soon see the truth. Thursday night is almost here.
Of that – and only that – can we be sure at this point.
