It appears the Cleveland Browns have their quarterback of the future as the NFL Draft draws near, but according to team head coach Hue Jackson, whoever the team chooses, he will sit, wait and learn.
Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports Cleveland will bring in four quarterbacks for interviews before the team makes its final decision. They don’t plan to put a rookie passer on the field this season.
Browns coach Hue Jackson said the organization is going to be “very disciplined” in sitting a young quarterback — whether it’s Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen or Baker Mayfield — behind Tyrod Taylor.
It is believed the team is leaning toward Darnold as the top pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Because the Cleveland Browns have two of the first four picks in the NFL Draft, there is also talk the team could also look to select running back Saquon Barkley of Penn State first overall.
“We have a plan and we’re going to stick to it,” Jackson said Tuesday at the NFL owners’ meetings. “We tried this the other way with two young guys and it’s unfortunate that it didn’t happen the way we wanted it to. To do this right and to get to where we’re trying to get to, we need to have that veteran quarterback go out there, play and lead this football team to be the best it can be. I think this is the guy for us.”
The Browns traded for Tyrod Taylor before NFL free agency began. Taylor led the Buffalo Bills to the AFC playoffs for the first time since 1999. He figures to play a full season unless he is injured or the team does an about face and decides to give the rookie the reins to the wagon.
The one thing the Cleveland Browns are certain of is that the team will take a quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft, which is less than 30 days away.
“We all have a pretty good understanding of who the guys are, what they bring to the table,” Jackson said. “They’re all very worthy candidates. We have to see what’s the best fit for us.”