Hue Jackson wants a franchise quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, but the new head coach isn’t determined to select one early in the 2016 NFL draft.
“We have seven rounds here,” Jackson said, according to ESPN’s Pat McManamon. “We will come out of this draft with a quarterback, I guarantee that. Now, where it’s going to be, everybody wants me to say it’s the second pick. It could be, it could not be.”
Three quarterbacks — Jared Goff (California), Carson Wentz (North Dakota State) and Paxton Lynch (Memphis) are considered the top prospects.
What makes the trio so fascinating, though, is there’s no clear-cut No. 1 guy.
Various mock drafts have the Browns taking each one. NFL Media’s Bucky Brooks tabbed Goff. Dane Brugler of CBS Sports projected Wentz. Eric Galko of Sporting News pegged Lynch.
Although it seems particularly risky to select Wentz instead of a Football Bowl Subdivision prospect, Jackson helped the Baltimore Ravens turn a kid from Delaware named Joe Flacco into an eventual Super Bowl champion.
But what happens if Cleveland passes on each of them?
Connor Cook (Michigan State) might last until the second round, especially if the Browns don’t pick a QB right away. The San Francisco 49ers (No. 7), Philadelphia Eagles (13), Los Angeles Rams (15) and Houston Texans (22) may target the position, but only one needs to choose a non-quarterback for Cook to fall.
Christian Hackenberg (Penn State) would probably be a reach at No. 32 but may not be available later. At that point, Brandon Allen (Arkansas) and Dak Prescott (Mississippi State) would likely be the top remaining options.
Jackson has taken over a franchise largely devoid of success. The first quarterback he drafts — in whichever round that ultimately happens — will help shape how quickly a potential turnaround arrives.