Hey, Johnny Manziel was a heck of a pick. So was Brady Quinn.
So, taking into consideration the rousing recent successes that have been the Cleveland Browns first-round quarterback selections, there's no reason for the Browns brass not to make it No. 3 in a four-year span, right?
I mean, third time's the charm and all.
While debating the merits of a trade-up for another neophyte NFL signal-caller - in this case, Oregon's Heisman-winner Marcus Mariota - is an often invigorating and totally (not) soul-crushing experience, what's most important is the thought process for those men in the faded swivel chairs and dark brown collared shirts at One Browns Way making all the big decisions for the Cleveland franchise.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports revealed in a recent report that the Browns, per sources, are expected to "explore options" for trading up for Mariota.
The Browns reported interest in Mariota is not surprising on several levels.
The stoic signal-caller has been as electric with the ball in his hand as any player in college football the past few seasons. He's as much of a threat to run for a touchdown as he is to unleash a rocket downfield. His dual threat capabilities are reportedly matched only by his intelligence and split second decision-making.
The Browns new quarterbacks coach, Kevin O'Connell, worked with Mariota in his pre-draft prep, and there have been reports indicating that both GM Ray Farmer and owner Jimmy Haslam are enamored with the gifted quarterback.
Despite the recent signing of next season's de-facto starterJosh McCown in free agency, the team is apparently interested in upgrading the depth chart at the position from top to bottom - which really won't be all that hard considering it was just Manziel and Brian Hoyer for last season.
Manziel, after a stint in rehab and considering his abysmal rookie season performance, is a total question mark. There's almost zero chance he won't be on the roster come the regular season, but he's also not a player the Browns can count on in any way shape or form.
Hoyer, the journeyman veteran and surprisingly effective starter is gone, leaving a depth chart of McCown and Manziel.
Adding Mariota to the mix would increase the talent level ten-fold as well as push the other two quarterbacks to - presumably - higher levels of achievement, at the same time as it gives the fans a glimmer of hope for the future of the franchise.
