Water, oxygen and a franchise quarterback. Sorry, I'm just listing a few essential necessities for survival.
The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, but the Cleveland Browns have never really been able to follow that approach. Despite winning seven of their first 11 games, Cleveland now realizes that Brian Hoyer isn't the long-term answer under center. Rookie Johnny Manziel may excite fans, but it's unclear if he has the work ethic or skill set to succeed at the pro level. Last week's 30-0 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Manziel's first career start did not help his case.
As a result, the QB carousel in Cleveland may continue to spin.
"Since last year, league sources have been telling Cleveland.com that [GM Ray] Farmer is enamored with Mariota, the 6-4, 215 phenom from Oregon," wrote May Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "Mariota cemented his status as the top quarterback in the draft - and likely No. 1 overall pick - with another terrific season for the high-flying Ducks.
"If the Browns reach the conclusion after Manziel's three starts that he's not their quarterback of the future, they'll consider every possibility for an upgrade at the position, including making a pitch for the premier quarterback in the draft."
Wanting Mariota and actually being able to draft him are two very different things. The Browns are currently tied for the 16th-best record in the league. It would cost Cleveland a king's ransom to move up to the top of the draft board. Also standing in Cleveland's way is the fact that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, projected to pick first overall, are just as desperate for a franchise quarterback. Still, where there is a will, there is a way.
"The Browns will have two mid-first round picks in 2015, their own and the one they received from Buffalo in the trade down from No. 4 to No. 9. The Browns would likely have to trade both of those picks, and next year's No. 1 for a shot at Mariota."
While speculation will continue to heat up, Manziel still has two more starts to prove he can succeed at this level and be the quarterback Cleveland has been looking for. If he can't, the Browns may do everything in their power to replace him with Mariota.
