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Browns tab Kessler as 1st-team QB for OTAs

Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Of the four quarterbacks on the Cleveland Browns' roster, Cody Kessler has been pegged as the first-team pivot for organized team activities.

Head coach Hue Jackson made the announcement Saturday during rookie minicamp.

"They will all get reps. Obviously, Cody will start this out," Jackson said. "He deserves the opportunity to."

Kessler was a third-round pick in last year's draft and was never expected to start. Yet, after injuries to Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown, Kessler played in nine games and started eight in his rookie campaign. He completed 65 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and two interceptions before he too succumbed to injury.

Entering 2017, he is the Browns quarterback with the most experience in the system. Fellow 2016 draftee Kevin Hogan, offseason acquisition Brock Osweiler, and 2017 draft pick DeShone Kizer make up the rest of the passers on the depth chart.

"Brock is here and Kevin is, too, but this young man (Kizer) is going to get reps," Jackson said.

"But Cody has done a great job, and that's the reason why I brought his name up first. He's really improved. He's worked his tail off, and he deserves the right and the opportunity to walk in this building and walk out there first. And they've got to take it from him. You know, they better take it from him because I know him, and he's not going to give it up. So it'll be fun."

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