Browns, Bills lead early run on QBs

Quarterback desperation means NFL teams can’t pass on taking a passer, even a flawed one, in the draft.

The Browns, Jets, Bills and Cardinals heeded that notion Thursday night, even as more highly rated players at other positions remained on the board.

Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield became Cleveland’s latest attempt to find its franchise quarterback. Sam Darnold of Southern California is trying to revive the Jets, while in upstate New York — where the Bills gave up on Tyrod Taylor — the future belongs to Wyoming’s Josh Allen.

Just after Buffalo traded up to grab Allen, Arizona moved up to get UCLA’s Josh Rosen, a potential replacement for the retired Carson Palmer.

Four quarterbacks in the first 10 selections. Never mind that the best players were considered Penn State running back Saquon Barkley (second overall to the Giants) and North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb (fifth to Denver).

In today’s NFL, it’s all about the QBs. Even though none of these four is considered a sure success.

“They all had something, a knock on (them),” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said. “We just think (Allen’s) makeup is going to help him work on his flaws. That’ll be part of our job here to accentuate his strengths.”

Same deal in Cleveland, the Meadowlands and the desert.

The Browns’ nearly two-decade search for that quarterback led them to Mayfield. Until the last few days, the Oklahoma product was considered a long shot to be the top pick.

Mayfield is the first Heisman recipient taken first in the following draft since Cam Newton in 2010.

“With Baker Mayfield, we have a guy who loves the game of football, who is an ultra-competitor, is revered by his teammates and anybody who has ever been around him,” Browns GM John Dorsey said. “He is a winner, he’s competitive.”

Buffalo traded up with Tampa Bay to get Allen at No. 7. The six-foot-five Allen is considered the passer with the most upside. “He can make all the throw,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said.