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Report: DeShone Kizer close to be named Browns’ starter for preseason opener

DeShone Kizer throws during Cleveland Browns OTAs

Rookie second-round pick DeShone Kizer has been among the most-impressive players in Cleveland Browns camp this summer. He’s drawn rave reviews from the team’s coaching staff, including head man Hue Jackson.

Thursday’s practice was no different, with Kizer showing himself capable of making pretty much every NFL-caliber throw.

“Those are the plays that quarterbacks have to make, and he (Kizer) made it,” Hue Jackson said after practice, via Cleveland.com. “He made some others. But again, I’ve seen some other guys make some plays. I mean every ball is not a long ball … we’ll keep working at it.”

The play in question saw Kizer rifle a 28-yard pass from the right hash down the left sideline to wide receiver James Wright, who was in tight coverage.

To be clear, it was an absolutely tremendous throw.

Based on what the Browns have seen from the former Notre Dame standout, it now looks like Kizer is close to being named the team’s starter for its preseason opener next week.

“DeShone Kizer has won the first week of training camp, and has moved closer to being named the starter for the preseason opener,” Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported Thursday.

At this point, Cleveland really doesn’t have much to lose by starting Kizer. It’s coming off a one-win 2016 campaign and will likely finish this season in last place in the AFC North. From here on out, it’s all about seeing what the team has in its young players.

Flush with an extra first and second-round pick in next year’s draft, the Browns will want to see if Kizer can be the their franchise quarterback. Considering neither Brock Osweiler nor Cody Kessler are of that ilk, it makes sense to give Kizer as much time as possible.

As of right now, that will likely start next week against the New Orleans Saints.

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