The attention for who will be the next signal caller for the Cleveland Browns has started early. With the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine games approaching as well as the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine, mainly the focus for some will be on the upcoming signal callers.
As mentioned by many draft experts, the QB class for this upcoming draft class is not as strong as the previous class. However, the Browns need a quarterback and the team will likely take one. The question is, which QB will fit the offense that Kevin Stefanski offense?
QB Shedeur Sanders
It’s a topic of discussion so let’s discuss it. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders is one of the top QB prospects in this draft. Sanders is more of your traditional pocket passer. From an athletic standpoint, he’s not over the top like Alabama’s Jalen Milroe. His arm is good, not great but in terms of his mobility he rarely tries to extend out of structure but when he does the results are less than ideal.
However, his elite processing and being able to decipher defenses as well as playing on time within the structure of an offense is something that most coaches look at when it comes to if they are a good fit for their offense. Considering how the Browns are going back to the West Coast offense, Sanders would fit in this offense. However, the chances of the Browns taking him depend on whether they are sold on taking Sanders high with the #2 pick. C
leveland could trade out of the pick with a team like the New York Giants (which is being reported that the New York Giants really like Sanders) and stockpile picks. Sanders would be an ideal fit for Kevin Stefanski’s offense but the odds of him getting picked by Cleveland aren’t ideal.
Fit: Ideal fit for Sanders but realistically it is unlikely to happen.
QB Cam Ward
This is probably controversial to some but not controversial to me. Let me be clear, I think quarterback Cam Ward is a talented quarterback. However, Ward wouldn’t be a good fit in an offense that Cleveland will run.
Ward’s biggest strength of his game is his athletic ability allowing him to work out of structure and create game-breaking plays. His legs and throwing from absurd angles stands out. However, if he were to work within the structure of an offense, the results would be less than ideal. That isn’t to say Ward can’t improve on working within structure but he has to understand that he needs to harness his out-of-structure ability and play within the structure of an offense.
Ward will be a good quarterback on a different team but I can’t see Ward working in Cleveland due to him not being compatible with the offense that Kevin Stefanski wants to run. Cleveland needs a quarterback but they won’t be desperate to pursue a quarterback that won’t fit with the offense that they want to run.
Fit: Bad fit. Cleveland wouldn’t attempt to fit a square peg into a round hole.
QB Will Howard
Sure, why not? Ohio State QB Will Howard saw his draft stock improve immensely, mainly due to the College Football Playoff run he and the eventual champion Ohio State Buckeyes went on. Howard was sensational from the first round all the way to the national championship game. Howard’s ability to work in structure with rhythm and timing stood out the most, as well as making high-level throws in tight windows.
His athleticism can’t be denied as he will often take off when the opportunity presents itself.
However, it is noted that Howard played with arguably one of the best WR trios in the country and a top-tier play caller offensive coordinator in Chip Kelly. How would Howard look with less talent surrounding him? Howard could fit in a Stefanski offense, considering how he would play with rhythm and timing but he wouldn’t be a day 1 starter right away. The tools and fit are there but there are valid concerns surrounding him.
Fit: Enticing fit but questions about how he would look with less talent around him
