Brett Hundley to the Cleveland Browns in the First Round?

By Joe Wedra | Jan 23, 2015

The Cleveland Browns simply can’t win. With the latest Johnny Manziel news, fans in Cleveland can’t help but look forward to the 2015 NFL Draft where quarterbacks like Brett Hundley may be an option with one of their first round selections.

The not-so-perfect fit

Where Cleveland currently sits with their second first-rounder, it’s easy to pick Hundley’s name and assign him to the Dawg Pound. In theory, it would be the perfect fit. A big-bodied quarterback that could compete with Manziel and Connor Shaw for the starting job in camp seems to be just what the doctor ordered.

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However, even with optimism high amongst Browns fans, they can’t ignore the obvious reality that will be constantly attached to the quarterback class this year — every one of these prospects might be a bust. That fact might not be truer for anyone than Hundley.

He looked to headline the class heading into the 2014 season, but things didn’t quite pan out as planned. He too often showed problems fitting the football into windows. When he did use his legs, it many times came on broken down plays that originated due to his lack of ability to be a pocket passer.

Success came enough to lead UCLA to a profitable season; the NFL projection talks bring up an entirely different story.

What now?

When experts list this class as one of the worst in recent memory, they’re telling the truth. Aside from Jameis Winston, there is no on-field talent ready to hit the field and start in 2015.

If any team needs to take a risk on a quarterback, it isn’t the Browns.

Stuck in limbo mode after a miserable Manziel selection last year, Mike Pettine’s team doesn’t have many options.

With Brian Hoyer hitting the market — expected to be signed by another QB-needy squad — Shaw is the only name that we can currently look to. He wasn’t miserable in the season finale against the Ravens, actually competing and showing flashes of talent along the way.

One impressive training camp could put the former Gamecock on the path to reps with the 1’s in the pre-season and a starting job once things begin.

That is, if Jimmy Haslam and Co. doesn’t go out on a limb and attempt to find their cornerstone in a player like Hundley.

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