Jackson: Browns still mulling QB options in draft

As the NFL draft nears, the Cleveland Browns are still doing their homework on quarterbacks.

The final exam is quickly approaching, but the No. 1 pick remains an unknown to everyone, including coach Hue Jackson.

On Tuesday, Jackson dismissed reports that general manager John Dorsey has settled on a quarterback and said the top prospects — Southern California’s Sam Darnold, Wyoming’s Josh Allen, Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and UCLA’s Josh Rosen — remain in contention to be selected by the Browns.

“I think they all are (in the mix) today,” he said. “I think we haven’t settled on that yet.”

Coming off a 0-16 season, the Browns, who haven’t been able to adequately fix their quarterback problem for years, are being thorough in their evaluation of what is considered a very strong QB class.

Jackson and Dorsey have attended pro days and private workouts and the team has hosted the top four quarterbacks, along with 2017 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson, at its headquarters in Berea, Ohio.

Jackson insists Dorsey hasn’t made up his mind on the top choice.

“When I say this I mean it, John Dorsey and his group, they don’t come up for air,” Jackson said. “This is 24 hours, seven days a week, through the weekend . ... There’s no detail that we’re going to leave unturned. So there’s a lot of time being spent to get this right.”

Packers: An offseason of change has been met with occasional displeasure by quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

At the Super Bowl, Rodgers called it “interesting” that the Packers replaced quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt “without consulting me.” Also that week, he spoke of the possibility he might have to finish his career elsewhere, like predecessor Brett Favre.

In the wake of the Packers’ decision to release his close friend Jordy Nelson on March 13, Rodgers added “it’s pretty clear that players play and coaches coach and personnel people make decisions (and) that’s the way they want it.”

Rodgers took a more measured tone with reporters on Tuesday at Lambeau Field.

“I know my role, and that’s to play quarterback the best that I can,” Rodgers said. “The team is going to try to put the right guys in place, the right coaches in place, the right players in place. You just have to trust the process.”

Lions: Ezekiel Ansah signed his franchise tag, signaling his return to Detroit, which designated the defensive end from Ghana as its franchise player nearly two months ago.

Ansah has 44 sacks in five seasons with the Lions. He had 12 sacks last season, bouncing back from an injury-filled 2016 season.

Retirement: Nick Mangold has made his final snap after 11 years of consistency, toughness and NFL-wide respect as one of the game’s best centers.

The former Jets star — with his signature blond, bushy Viking-like beard — announced his retirement in a post on Twitter on Tuesday.