Browns predicted to make draft pick move with Commanders for franchise QB

Jon Conahan

Browns predicted to make draft pick move with Commanders for franchise QB image

The NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and the Cleveland Browns are one of the teams to watch out for. For a Browns team seeking a long-term quarterback, there are a few ways the organization can go.

Drafting Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward at No. 2 seems to be the most obvious plan, but the Browns aren't expected to do so, barring Ward falling.

With other quarterbacks available, the Browns could wait to see how things fall after they pick at No. 2 and get back in the mix at the end of the first round.

In ESPN's latest mock draft from Mel Kiper Jr., he had Cleveland doing just that in a deal with the Washington Commanders. Kiper had the Browns selecting Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss.

"The Browns can't risk the Giants leapfrogging them from the top of the second round, so they could make their own aggressive move up. Dart would fill out the Browns' quarterback room with Deshaun Watson out (Achilles), joining Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco. He's accurate and mobile with a big arm. And by getting him in Round 1, Cleveland would have a fifth-year option on Dart, too," Kiper wrote.

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Dart was impressive during his final season at Ole Miss and has started to fly up draft boards in recent months. If he falls to No. 29, it'll be interesting to see if any team looks to move up outside of the Browns, given there could be a few teams interested in drafting a quarterback.

Jon Conahan

Jon Conahan is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. A 2022 Penn State University graduate who majored in journalism, he was also a member of the school's D1 baseball team. His work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, Heavy and other outlets. Jon makes home in North Jersey, but also resides in Cape Coral, Florida, for parts of the year. He’s an avid fan of the New York Yankees, Miami Dolphins and Milwaukee Bucks.