Lead NFL Draft analysts say Browns should go after RG3

by Dan Kadar on Feb 17, 2012 11:14 AM EST in 2012 NFL Draft

Mike Mayock of NFL Network and Todd McShay of ESPN both held media conference calls this week and both said the Cleveland Browns need Robert Griffin III.

The praise for Griffin from both was strong. Mayock referred to Griffin as "one of the most gifted kids in the last several years in this draft." Both agreed that Colt McCoy isn't the future at quarterback for the Browns. So much so that the Browns shouldn't wait for the No. 4 pick, but trade up. Mayock said the Rams (who hold the No. 2 pick) should be happy getting the Browns No. 4 and 22 picks. McShay was a little more tempered saying the Browns might be able to trade picks No. 4 and 37 for No. 2.

"I would do it," McShay said about trading up. "I wouldn’t do it for any other position, but I would do it for quarterback. I’m not saying Colt McCoy will never be a really good starting quarterback in the league, because I think we’ve seen enough flashes, but I think we’ve also seen teams [have] adjusted to his inability to consistently throw the ball down the field with velocity and accuracy. … With McCoy, we’ve kind of seen in the last couple of years that he has the intangibles, the toughness, the competitiveness, the ability to move to see and create and keep plays alive and [throw with] accuracy underneath, but the limitations are there."

Mayock pointed out that if the Browns do draft Griffin, they would have to cater their West Coast offense around his talents.

"If Cleveland moves up to get this kid, they have to make this kid comfortable," Mayock said. "He’s too explosive and too much of a playmaker to have him just sit there and read the triangle the West Coast offense is. In other words, [offensive coordinator] Brad Childress and that group of coaches in Cleveland are going to have to change some things to make this kid the playmaker he is."

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Agree 1000%

McCoy is a great backup, and could maybe be a “game manager” QB for a team with a great defense like Dilfer in Baltimore, but he isn’t a guy that’s going to win you championships in today’s NFL. Griffin may not be either, but I like his chances much better and I think its worth trading up for. Should be a great deal for the Rams too – they still get the guy they want (I assume Blackmon) and a high pick in addition.

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by RoyalsRetro on Feb 17, 2012 11:19 AM EST reply actions

If the Browns could get RG3 for the #4 and 37, you do it no problem

Hell I’d even do the 2 first rounders for him, he’s worth it. Who cares about the rest of the problems of the team? You solve the QB position, it covers up a lot of holes.

You get RG3 and then with your next pick, be it #22 or 37, you get a weapon for him like maybe his teammate Wright or a TE like Allen or Fleener, that’s already a successful draft. I’m surprised McCoy’s even become what he is now, but he’ll never be much more then a decent starter. He can’t throw the ball downfield and any QB that you have to limit is easy to defend when you start to play real competition.

In a draft where Andrew Luck isn’t in it, RG3 is the best QB in the draft. So you got to make that move.

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by Rorschach44 on Feb 17, 2012 12:02 PM EST reply actions

Yus.

This scenario works out pretty well for everyone – Rams get Reiff @1.4 (not Kalil but still an upgrade, probably safest LT in the draft), BPA @1.22. Browns get Griffin @1.2, and an RB (Doug Martin, Lamar Miller) or WR (Marvin Jones, Reuben Randle if he’s still around) at the top of the 2nd.

The only reason I could see the Rams settling for a 1&2 rather than both 1’s is because they’re unlikely to get Cleveland into a bidding war with the Redskins. Washington doesn’t have the resources to be dumping a bunch of draft picks for one guy, and I think Tannehill would suit their system nicely.

by trill on Feb 17, 2012 1:39 PM EST up reply actions