Browns didn't want to force selecting a QB
The Cleveland Browns' best-laid plans are in motion after they came away from the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft with defensive end Myles Garrett, safety Jabrill Peppers, tight end David Njoku, and an additional 2018 first-round pick.
"Productive night. We set out this morning understanding we had a plan and executed it well," Browns vice president of football operations Sashi Brown said after the conclusion of Day 1 of the draft.
"We didn't expect to come away with three (players). We hoped for two but came away with three and positioned ourselves for next year to have a couple of picks in the first round."
While three teams made trades in order to move up the draft board and select a quarterback, the Browns refrained from addressing the position in the first round.
"We obviously value the position, but we don't want to force it," Brown explained. "We're in certain positions. We obviously have some guys here on the roster. We want to give them an opportunity, and we'll continue to look, but we wanted to make sure that we got players that we felt good about."
The Browns currently have three quarterbacks on their roster. Cody Kessler was drafted last year, as was Kevin Hogan - a fifth-round selection by the Kansas City Chiefs who was later waived. Brock Osweiler was acquired in a blockbuster offseason trade. They will all have an opportunity to win the starting job for the 2017 season.
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo also remains as a possible trade target. Or, the Browns could draft a quarterback on Day 2 or 3 of this year's draft or in 2018.
"For us, it is just about making sure that when we get the quarterback, it is someone that we all believe in and can get behind and move forward," Brown said.
Head coach Hue Jackson said the time will come when the Browns pick a quarterback in the first round of a draft.
"Soon, when it is time for us to get one. Obviously, it didn't happen (Thursday), but it's not like we didn't try, I can guarantee you that," he said.