Cleveland Browns new head coach Hue Jackson made it known shortly after taking over the head coaching position in Cleveland that the team needed a quarterback, and after moving on from troubled quarterback Johnny Manziel the Browns are leaving no stone unturned.
The Browns met with former Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III over this past weekend, and while the Browns could look to sign the former first round draft pick, it likely won't rule out Cleveland using it's first round pick on a quarterback. Jackson has thoroughly been studying both North Dakota State's Carson Wentz and California's Jared Goff in the lead-up to the draft, and had high praise for both of them at the NFL annual meetings.
Jackson said that he isn't worried that Wentz played at a FCS school, as there are multiple successful players in the league that came from small schools. "I know he's a young man who comes from small school," said Jackson. "He has great stature, great ability. But again until you spend time with the person, do you know? But he looks the part. He has all the attributes that you look for."
The North Dakota State quarterback was a proven winner in college, leading the Bison to two of their five consecutive national championships, and has both the athleticism and arm that many teams look for in franchise quarterback. While Jackson had some high praise for Wentz, he did not forgot about the talented quarterback out of the Pac-12.
Jackson said that he has spent "quite a bit of private time" with Goff, and that he was impressed by his pro day workout. "I thought the guy threw the ball tremendously," said Jackson. "He can make all the throws. For a big guy, he's more athletic than people think. He has quick feet. He obviously has a quick release."
Most draft analyst expect the Browns to take a quarterback with the second overall pick, and with both quarterbacks receiving such high praises it's unknown which direction Cleveland will go. "The statement I'm going to make to you guys, and you can tell me whether you agree or not, is I'm at the point now with both Wentz and Goff where I think they're every bit as good, if not better than Winston and Mariota from a year ago as prospects," said NFL draft analyst Mike Mayock during Goff's pro day.
Both Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston and Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota were the first two picks in last year's draft, and both had successful rookie seasons despite poor team records. While Jackson is likely keeping his cards close to his chest in the lead-up to the draft, there are clearly positives with both Wentz and Goff, and will likely come down to which one Jackson and the Browns organization feels is best suited to lead the franchise to success.
