Tracking potential quarterbacks in draft

The Browns are on their way to another high draft pick. Mark Podolski looks at some of the top quarterbacks in college football who could be available in the 2018 draft.

Here were ago again. The Browns, who look well on their way to another high pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, need to be on the look out for the nextbest college quarterback prospect.

Perhaps there’s still hope for Browns rookie QB DeShone Kizer.

But the fact Coach Hue Jackson benched Kizer after just five games doesn’t exactly paint a pretty picture in Berea.

The good new for the Browns is the 2018 QB draft class appears strong.

It’s likely not 1983 strong, but there’s promise, talent and depth with the class.

The 1983 draft included three Hall of Fame QBs in John Elway, Dan Marino and Jim Kelly.

Six QBs went in Round 1 of the 1983 draft, and draft experts are predicting quality for 2018.

According to CBSSports.com, there are five potential first-round picks among college QBs. Some are seniors, some are juniors.

The expected top-rated QB for 2018 is USC’s Sam Darnold, but he’s just a redshirt sophomore.

Each week during the college football season, we’ll track and update the top QB draft prospects.

A look at CBSSports.com’s top QBs for the 2018 draft:

Top 5

• SAM DARNOLD, SO., USC » At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Darnold has the size, the savy, the arm strength and the pocket awareness to be a franchise-type QB. He has nine interceptions this season, but has proven he’s at his best in the clutch with come-from-behind wins against Penn State in the Rose Bowl and Texas and Utah this season. He only has 17 career starts, so that has to be a concern.

DARNOLD METER » Even with the nine picks this season, Darnold has to be at the top. If the winless Browns are drafting No. 1 overall, start printing those “Sam’s the Man” T-shirts — if Darnold declares. • MASON RUDOLPH, SR.,

OKLAHOMA STATE » Like Darnold, Rudolph has the size at 6-5, 230. Unlike Darnold, he has plenty of experience, and has completed 63 percent of his throws in his career. This season, he has 19 TD passes and four interceptions.

RUDOLPH METER » Where it should be — high. Drafting Rudolph — possibly with the No. 1 overall pick — wouldn’t be as sexy as Darnold, but Rudolph is solid. He could jump to No. 1 with a nice finish for the Cowboys if Darnold stumbles down the stretch. • JOSH ROSEN, JR., UCLA » Rosen has started since he was a true freshman. That’s never easy to do at a big-time program such as UCLA. It was a great debut as he finished that season with 3,668 yards and 23 TD passes. He

missed half of his sophomore season with an injury.

ROSEN METER » It’s up and down. The 2017 season started with a bang as Rosen threw 13 TD passes in his first three games. However, Rosen’s stock is in flux, as the Bruins have lost three of four. In his last game, Rosen was intercepted three times with no TD passes in a 17-point loss at Arizona Oct. 14. • LUKE FALK, SR., WASHINGTON STATE » Falk, Darnold, Rudolph and Rosen might as well be clones, size-wise. Falk is 6-4, 225 so his dimensions aren’t a problem, but he will likely have to answer questions about being a product of Coach Mike Leach’s passhappy offense. Still, Falk’s career stats (13, 174 passing yards, 108 TD passes) are off the charts.

FALK METER » Not good right now. Falk and the Cougars were enjoying a breakout undefeated season until Oct. 13, when they lost at California, 373. Falk threw five interceptions in the game. • LAMAR JACKSON, JR., LOUISVILLE » It’s a safe bet Jackson will be one of the more polarizing draft prospects if he declares in 2018. He’s 6-3, 200 pounds with a big-time arm, so size will not be a concern, and his athleticism is off the charts. The inevitable question about Jackson will be how makes the switch from Louisville’s spread offense to a prostyle in the NFL.

JACKSON METER » It’s steady right now. The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner likely won’t repeat. But he’s having a solid season even if the 3-3 Cardinals are not. He has three 300yard passing games, three 100-yard rushing games, and 26 total touchdowns.

Watch list

• Baker Mayfield, Sr., Oklahoma

• Josh Allen, Jr., Wyoming

• Jake Browning, Jr., Washington

• Quinton Flowers, Sr., South Florida

• Jarrett Stidham, So., Auburn

ALEX GALLARDO — ASSOCIATED PRESS USC quarterback Sam Darnold, after his team defeated Oregon State earlier this season.