We’ve said this over and over and over, but apparently, we need to say it again.
That is, it’s all about the quarterback.
This has come up in light of the fact that some of the so-called experts at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis have said that if the Browns don’t feel there’s good value in taking a quarterback, they should consider selecting a player at another position with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft in two months.
Sure, the Browns could go that way, and in doing so, they would no doubt fill a need. And they obviously have needs at plenty of positions, including linebacker, wide receiver and defensive line, just to name a few.
But even if the Browns draft a player at one of those spots who turns out to be a perennial All-Pro, it isn’t going to make a difference. In fact, nothing will make a difference until the Browns get their quarterback.
Period. End of statement. A fact that can’t be debated.
Quarterback is the most important position in team sports. If a team has one, then it has a chance. And if it doesn’t, then it doesn’t.
So while the Browns can bolster themselves at other spots, there’s a limit as to how good they’ll ever get as a team. And it’s a pretty low ceiling. They will still not be a contender, or even anything close to it.
The Browns have to get that quarterback. That’s the only way anything will change. In fact, getting a quarterback is so crucial that it will cover up other deficiencies on the team.
And the Browns are in prime position to get the quarterback they want. Barring trading out of the pick, the Tennessee Titans, already having their quarterback in Marcus Mariota, will use the No. 1 overall choice to take a player at another position, possibly offensive tackle.
So the best quarterback in the draft – or at least the one they deem to be the best – will fall to them. He’ll be right there. All the Browns have to do is take the card with his name up on it up to the table.
By bypassing a passer, it’s likely that at least one quarterback, and probably two, will be taken before it comes time for the Browns to choose again at No. 32. So there’s no viable plan B.
Sure, the Browns could take one later in the draft, but keep in mind that there’s a reason why that quarterback is still on the board. You get what you pay for.
And yes, the Browns could wait until next season. But they hope they’re not in this position again of being at No. 2, so they might not be picking until the middle of the first round. By that point, the best quarterbacks will be gone.
Also, for that matter, who’s to say that next year’s crop of quarterbacks will be better than – or even just as good as — this year’s group?
If the Browns ignore their biggest need, then they’ll end up regretting it for a long time. Whenever Josh McCown or whomever else gets hurt next season, they’ll be forced to use Connor Shaw, Austin Davis or some other quarterback who has no chance of ever being the guy the Browns need to get them where they want to go.
Maybe Carson Wentz or Jared Goff won’t be abler to get the Browns there, either, but the chances of them doing it are much, much better than anyone else currently on the roster.
And no, the Browns are not going to sign some big-time free-agent quarterback, if even there is one this year, which does not seem to be the case.
As such, the time is right for the Browns to figure out which quarterback is best, and then draft him at No. 2.
If not, then the draft will be, in the big picture, meaningless for the Browns, which will translate into another meaningless season.
Isn’t 15 meaningless seasons out of 17 in the expansion era for the Browns, enough already?
This isn’t complicated. The Browns need a big-time quarterback. Two good prospects will be there for them. So they should just pick one and begin developing him.
Why is this so hard for some people to understand?
