The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
ESPN’s McShay: Barkley or a QB?
ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay says the Browns have a difficult decision with the No. 1 pick: Running back Saquon Barkley, right, or a quarterback, who would most likely be Sam Darnold.
Todd McShay isn’t budging — at least not much — on his prediction the Browns will use the first pick in the draft on April 26 on USC quarterback Sam Darnold.
The ESPN draft analyst released his third mock draft on March 7 and just as in the previous two, he has the Browns taking Darnold No. 1 overall. This time, however, he said the Browns might opt for Penn State running back Saquon Barkley if they sign a veteran quarterback in free agency.
“It’s a difficult decision (for the Browns) to make,” McShay said on a conference call, conceding how rare it is for a running back to be picked first overall. Ki-Jana Carter of Penn State, picked first by the Bengals in the 1995 draft, was the most recent.
“Barkley is an exception-to-the-rule type player,” McShay said. “He’s an instant impact guy. His run skills are exceptional. The speed and lateral agility he has for a 233-pound back is very unique. He can catch the ball effectively and he can protect the quarterback.
“He’s a hard worker and he would probably become one of the leaders of whatever football team drafts him. The Browns have to weigh that vs. the most important position there is.”
That, of course, would be quarterback.
The Browns have drafted four quarterbacks in the first round since 1999 and started 28 different quarterbacks in 19 seasons.
Tim Couch was selected first overall in 1999. Brady Quinn (2007), Brandon Weeden (2012) and Johnny Manziel (2014) were all chosen 22nd overall by the Browns in the first round in those respective years after other players were selected with earlier picks. Left tackle Joe Thomas was picked third overall in 2007, running back Trent Richardson third in 2012 and cornerback Justin Gilbert eighth in 2014.
“I know (Browns general manager) John Dorsey hasn’t been a part of any of the past failures,” McShay said. “If you’re John Dorsey and you think one of these quarterbacks is going to be the answer, then I think you have to pull the trigger. I personally think that if you draft Sam Darnold, three or five years from now, you’re not coming back to the draft saying ‘We need a quarterback.’
“Darnold has no durability issues. He’s as clean as could be in terms of his character. His mental makeup is perfect in terms of his competitiveness. He’s humble with all his teammates, but he pushes them.”
Quarterback A.J. McCarron could sign with the Browns soon after free agency begins March 14. One way or another, the Browns are determined to add a veteran. The only question is whether that player would be a “bridge quarterback” to a rookie or one Dorsey and Jackson view as the full-time quarterback.
McShay has the Browns taking Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick with the fourth pick, if they don’t draft Barkley first and then use the fourth pick on a quarterback.
McShay also said the Browns might trade the fourth pick or use it on another defensive player, perhaps outside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds of Virginia Tech, if they don’t draft Fitzpatrick or a quarterback.