It appears that the Cleveland Browns are sold on former Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr as a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Likely looking to go quarterback at some point early next month, Cleveland may in fact decide that Carr is what its looking for in the end.
According to this report by the Akron Beacon Journal, Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network has indicated through sources that Cleveland plans on using the second of its first-round picks on the Fresno State product.
Unfortunately, there is a decent chance that Carr may not be available with the 26th pick, which was acquired from the Indianapolis Colts in the Trent Richardson trade.
I am hearing that if the Oakland Raiders decide to go quarterback with the fifth pick, they’re likely to look in Carr’s direction as well. In addition to that, the younger brother of David Carr, seems to be a really good fit in the Arizona Cardinals’ vertical passing game and could eventually take over for Carson Palmer.
Would selecting Carr with the fourth overall selection be considered a reach? I am not too sure. According to eDraft.com and their 11-man panel, he’s considered the eighth overall prospect in the draft. As a member of that panel, I have Carr as the No. 5 overall prospect.
While I might be higher on Carr than most, there is a decent chance he will land in the top half of the first round. This means that Cleveland would either have to trade down from the four spot with hopes that he will be there or trade up from the 26th spot in order to draft Carr.
Outside of that, the Browns might have to “reach” for Carr at fourth overall. In this, it really isn’t the worst of all ideas. If the Browns are sold on Carr as their franchise quarterback moving forward, why not go out there and get him? The idea of risking losing your target because of questions about perceived value makes little sense. Get the guy and move on.
Photo: John David Mercer, USA Today