Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown improbably drove down the field on the New York Jets last week before suffering a concussion on a Shane Falco-type leap into the endzone. He was replaced by none other than Johnny Manziel, who completed 13-of-24 (54.2 percent) passes for 182 yards with one touchdown, one interception and two fumbles. All told, Manziel posted a 52.2 QBR and although he threw a 54-yard touchdown strike, he failed to show much progress from last year. McCown will get the start if he's cleared to play, but this story reaches far beyond Week 2.
McCown is no one's idea of a franchise quarterback, and it's becoming more and more clear that Manziel is not a viable long-term option. The Browns are once again in need of a franchise quarterback. Although draft projections this far out rarely tend to be accurate, determining how teams view certain players and where they are projected to go is a valuable exercise. As of now, WalterFootball.com projects the Browns to land the No. 1 overall pick and select Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones.
"With the arm injury now plaguing him, it looks very questionable that Johnny Manziel can get turned around this year," Charlie Campbell wrote. "And, it will be hard for any quarterback to look good with Cleveland's wide receivers. Josh McCown was good enough to get the Bucs the No. 1 pick and a franchise quarterback in the 2015 NFL Draft, so perhaps he can do that for the Browns this year.
"Of the top quarterback prospects for the 2016 NFL Draft, the redshirt junior Jones had the most impressive performance in Week 1. He made some devastating throws that illustrated his natural passing skills. Aside from his right-arm cannon, Jones also showed his running ability and how difficult he is to sack with his huge size. In 2015, Jones has completed 22-of-37 passes for 298 yards for two touchdowns and one interception.
"Jones put on a display in 2014 after entering the starting lineup behind Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Jones has great size and a cannon for an arm. In his three starts, he completed 61 percent of his passes for 860 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Jones has a ton of upside, and could be a tremendous play-maker if he improves his football I.Q. and field vision."
Beyond the measurable traits, Jones would represent something this down trodden Cleveland franchise hasn't had in a long time: hope.
It's not as if the Browns are completely devoid of talent. Their wide receiver corps in lacking, but cornerback Joe Haden and rookie nose tackle Danny Shelton are quality building blocks. Joe Thomas and Alex Mack anchor an above-average offensive line. And, Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson form a good 1-2 punch at running back. There are elements of a good team on the roster right now.
Getting a true blue franchise quarterback under center would go a long way in lifting the Browns out of the muck. Is Jones that guy and if so, will the Browns be in a position to take him? We'll have to wait to find out.
