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Armed with the sixth overall pick this year, the Cleveland Browns would really benefit from adding to a defense that has ranked among the worst in the NFL the past few seasons. Selecting a pass rusher or cornerback seems ideal —but according to one recent mock draft, the Browns could be looking at a new quarterback.
As Peter Schrager of FOX Sports writes, Cleveland should select quarterback Tyler Wilson in the first round. That would immediately create a dilemma for new offensive coordinator Norv Turner, who would have to decide between moving forward with Wilson or with last year's first-round pick, Brandon Weeden, as the starter.
Browns fans, please don't scratch your heads and pull the plug out of your computers just yet. Hear me out on this one. Yes, Cleveland drafted a quarterback in the first round a season ago. And sure, there are other pressing needs. But Tyler Wilson is the real deal and is the type of quarterback that can turn around a franchise that's been idle for so many years. Norv Turner won't fail with grooming a quarterback and if there's any college coach that can help mold and develop a kid at the NCAA level, it's Bobby Petrino. Wilson is a 6-foot-2, athletic, smart kid who went through the ups and downs of last year in Fayetteville. He's been through adversity. He's the number one quarterback on my big board. This, to me, is a perfect match.
This past season at Arkansas, Wilson threw for 3,387 yards, 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He missed one game after likely suffering a concussion, and also played amidst the controversy of head coach Bobby Petrino suddenly leaving the program.
It makes sense that Cleveland would at least consider adding a quarterback with one of their draft picks, whether it's in the first round or later on. Weeden threw more interceptions than touchdowns last season, and at age 29 he's already near the prime of his career. If the franchise is determined to add a QB to build around for years to come, Wilson seems like a safer bet than Weeden.