Browns definitely an option for McCarron
While other quarterbacks have publicly stated they hope to join a contender, thereby eliminating Cleveland as a preferred landing spot, impending free agent AJ McCarron continues to leave the door open for joining a rebuilding team like the Browns.
On his podcast, ESPN’s Adam Schefter asked McCarron — who recently won unrestricted free agency in arbitration — if he’s open to going anywhere.
“Oh, of course. I mean I would never turn down one,” McCarron replied. “If you’re blessed enough to get an opportunity to lead an organization, you just take it and run with it and make it into something super special. And that’s what I want. I just want that opportunity to help somebody [achieve] the ultimate goal and to win a Super Bowl.”
As the backup quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, McCarron played for Browns coach Hue Jackson and new Browns quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese.
Jackson covets McCarron, and the Browns are expected to pursue him once teams are allowed to begin negotiating with his agent March 12. Free agency officially begins at 4 p.m. March 14.
The Browns are expected to sign a veteran quarterback in free agency, then choose another QB with the top overall pick in the draft April 26.
But with so much focus on which quarterback the Browns will likely draft first, it can be easy to overlook what the franchise could do three selections later at No. 4.
The most popular choices among fans and media for the fourth pick are Penn State running back Saquon Barkley and Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has conveyed as much by predicting Barkley will be taken at No. 4 in his first mock draft and Fitzpatrick in the same spot in the second iteration.
But what if the Browns and New York Giants draft quarterbacks with the first two picks and the Indianapolis Colts take N.C. State defensive end Bradley Chubb at No. 3, leaving Cleveland to choose between Barkley and Fitzpatrick at No. 4?
It’s the exact scenario Kiper laid out in his first mock draft, but perhaps it would be too good to be true.
“I’d be very surprised if Barkley and Fitzpatrick would both be there at four, because they’re two of the best five players in the draft,” Kiper said this week during a conference call. “But if they are both there, that’s a tough call.
“Fitzpatrick could be a centerpiece of your secondary. Obviously, he can play anywhere you want him to play. And then certainly Barkley would give you the run-catch-block option at running back, which would be an upgrade, obviously losing [Isaiah] Crowell as a free agent, and you’re helping out your young quarterback and you’re finishing off that offensive side of the ball.
“That’s just a decision that their new GM, John Dorsey, would have to make. If you’re looking at Fitzpatrick and Barkley after taking the quarterback at one, you’ve got to feel pretty good if you’re the Cleveland Browns.”
Many analysts consider Barkley the best overall player in this year’s class. Kiper ranks Barkley first and Fitzpatrick second. ESPN’s Todd McShay ranks Barkley first and Fitzpatrick fifth. Kiper said Barkley will only continue to wow talent evaluators at the NFL scouting combine, which runs Tuesday-March 5 in Indianapolis.
Cornerback and free safety are among the Browns’ most pressing needs. Fitzpatrick is so talented he can play both positions.
If the Browns don’t take Barkley or Fitzpatrick early, they could pick from the second tier of running backs and defensive backs early in the second round, when they have the 33rd and 35th overall picks.