The Cleveland Browns had the opportunity to select either Cal's Jared Goff or North Dakota State's Carson Wentz, the top two quarterback prospects in this year's draft class, when they still held the second overall pick. But following the blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, neither player will be an option when the Browns are on the clock tomorrow with the No. 8 overall pick.
However, that doesn't mean that the team is completely forgoing the QB position and rolling with Robert Griffin III as the guaranteed starter. Instead, Cleveland may be looking to trade down yet again in order to get the guy they like.
A recent report advised fans to "keep an eye on" the Browns trading out the eighth slot in order to select Michigan State signal-caller Connor Cook "later in the first round." At this time, though, it's unclear how far back in the draft order such a move would entail. Cook has largely been projected as a second-round pick by most draft analysts.
If the Browns do trade down again, they'd most likely end up in the mid-teens, which would be too high for Cook but likely a realistic slot for Memphis QB Paxton Lynch, who is widely considered the No. 3 QB in this year's class. However, it's possible that the Browns trade into the mid-teens to target a wide receiver. Baylor's Corey Coleman, Ole Miss' Laquon Treadwell and TCU's Josh Doctson all projected to be mid-first round picks this year. Such a scenario would make sense if the Browns planned to take Cook with the first pick of Round two (No. 32) or in a trade-up to the back-end of the first round.
New Browns head coach Hue Jackson hinted last week that there were other passers the Browns preferred over Goff and Wentz.
"Everybody keeps talking about two of the best quarterbacks in the draft. No one knows that, right? No one really knows that," he said.
Cook never really disappointed in his three years as Michigan State's starter. However, his play did plateau after a point and he was labeled more of a game manager by some NFL scouts. Still, it's hard to knock a guy who threw just 22 interceptions in 1,170 career attempts in college.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
