Could the Cleveland Browns be aiming for a quarterback in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft?
According to NFL Media’s Albert Breer, Cleveland’s general manager Ray Farmer has “shown a liking” for reigning Heisman winner and former Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.
With the upcoming NFL Combine taking place in mid February, the Browns may be keeping a special eye on Mariota as he showcases his talents. Additionally, Mariota has been preparing for the combine and the draft with Kevin O’Connell, who was appointed to Mike Pettine’s staff as the quarterbacks coach. Note that O’Connell has not officially began his duties with the Browns yet, which allows him to complete his work with Mariota.
The Browns currently sit in a good position possessing with the 12th and 19th picks for the 2015 draft. NFL Media’s Mike Mayock recently studied this year’s potential rookie quarterback class, naming Mariota a project for any team beyond the Philadelphia Eagles and Chip Kelly.
From a physical trait perspective, he has everything you wan. He’s big, he’s athletic, he’s got great feet and he’s got a live arm. So on the surface, the individual components all work. The problem is he’s a projection coming to the next level because of the pocket awareness, the progressions and the reads.
If the Browns are even considering using one of their top draft picks on a quarterback, the writing is clearly on the wall for Johnny Manziel, who just recently entered rehab.