Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson hasn't spoken with quarterback Johnny Manziel yet, but he has already met with North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz at the Senior Bowl, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Wentz is one of the top prospects at his position in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft, and the Browns head coach has already stated that his new team is in need of a quarterback. The Browns have the second pick in the upcoming draft after tying for the worst record in the NFL at 3-13. Reasons why the Manziel reportedly won't fit with Jackson have already been released, and it looks like the new Browns head coach is looking for a future franchise quarterback in Cleveland.
Wentz is considered a first round quarterback prospect by most draft analysts and left the Browns with a strong impression at practice at the Senior Bowl. "It's always hard when you're sitting in the stands watching these young guys, but he has a lot of characteristic that you look for," said Jackson, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Again, it's just so early in the process and until you can really study them and get to know them will you really be able to make a sound judgment."
While the Browns head coach wasn't ready to give a strong endorsement of the North Dakota State quarterback, Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown was impressed with Wentz. "Wentz has been impressive but again, we have a lot of needs and holes," said Brown, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "He's a good guy, a good prospect. Obviously they've had a tremendous amount of success at North Dakota State. The coaching up there is top-notch and he's an impressive, physical guy."
The Browns are clearly still looking for who will fit them with the second pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and California quarterback Jared Goff will also be under heavy evaluation, as many project him as the top quarterback. Jackson has a strong history with developing quarterbacks in the league, and while the front office may be impressed with Wentz, Jackson clearly will want to see more.
