With Alex Smith's future in Kansas City uncertain, the Cleveland Browns have a golden opportunity to address their most maligned position - properly, this time.
The Browns, who entered the 2017 season as the NFL's youngest team, need to combine experience with another strong showing at the draft, in which they own the No. 1 and No. 4 overall picks, three second-rounders, and seven picks in the final five rounds. Adding 13 years of age at the starting quarterback position (Smith turns 34 in May) is their best chance to break out of the rut that has seen them go 1-31 and start five different QBs over the past two seasons.
Smith is coming off a career year by most statistical measures, but it appears he's being pushed out by the team he guided to three consecutive playoff berths following its second straight single-game exit on Saturday.
After the 33-year-old groomed 2017 first-round pick Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs now seem ready to take advantage of the physical tools and skill set that warranted Mahomes being selected at No. 10.
The Browns can follow Kansas City's lead and use the dependable Smith to be more competitive in 2018 while building toward their long-term goals.
Limit the damage
Josh Rosen, one of the top quarterbacks entering the 2018 draft, reportedly showed some hesitation about declaring due to potential interest from the Browns. While it appeared to be a bluff, it's likely a feeling shared by several of the top QBs in the draft.
With the Browns and head coach Hue Jackson having such a difficult time assessing and developing talent at the position in recent years, they could be much better off trading the rights for the No. 1 selection to any of the teams with their sights set on Rosen, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, or Lamar Jackson.
With plenty of time left in the rebuild following their 0-16 season, their best bet is waiting until a top rookie signal-caller can join a competitive roster from a future draft class, rather than having him sit idle on the bench and age without experience.
Trading the top pick this year could bring a greater haul than the Browns received for trading the No. 12 pick to the Houston Texans last year, or for sending 2016's No. 2 pick to the Philadelphia Eagles. The No. 4 pick could then be used on any one of the top offensive linemen or defensive players available early in the draft, which are less volatile positions, according to Sharon Katz of ESPN.
While both Deshaun Watson and Carson Wentz have looked like franchise quarterbacks, there's no telling how they would've developed under Jackson in Cleveland. The team's other weaknesses and lack of competitiveness could be hindering their development of quarterbacks.
The Browns should use a hoard of draft picks acquired by dealing the No. 1 selection to address multiple areas, rather than hoping the top quarterback in this year's class can save the team by himself.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Browns' lone defensive player ranked inside the top 20 at their respective position this season was 2017's No. 1 pick, defensive end Myles Garrett, who was limited to 11 games due to injury.
Get a bigger sample size
DeShone Kizer, selected 52nd overall in the 2017 draft, had a horrific rookie season in which he ranked as PFF's No. 38 quarterback, threw a league-worst 22 interceptions, and was sacked 38 times in 15 games.
He's now at risk of joining the long list of failed and forgotten Browns quarterbacks. However, given his favorable draft status, strong resume at Notre Dame, and improved play toward the end of the season with the services of wide receivers Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman, there's reason to believe he can still be a key part of this team once it addresses its other weaknesses.
Here's a look at Kizer's performance with and without his top receivers:
| CMP% | RAT | Yards | TD/INT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 13-17 (with) | 54.60 | 66.8 | 1071 | 6/8 |
| Weeks 1-12* (without) | 53.04 | 57.2 | 1823 | 5/14 |
*Kizer was benched in Week 6 against the Texans
While his completion percentage was raised only slightly at the end of the season, he threw for more touchdowns in half the games played and saw a dramatic increase in his passer rating.
Kizer's struggles with a talentless team should warn the Browns not to select a QB at No. 1 this season. Instead, they should wait until the proper pieces are in place to help out their starter.
Smith has just one year remaining on his contract valued at $17 million. Signing him would buy the Browns at least another season to see what they have in Kizer.
Cleveland may have already taken the first step toward landing Smith in a future deal by hiring John Dorsey as general manager in early December. Dorsey, who served as the Chiefs' GM from 2013-16, made the bold trade that brought Smith over from the San Francisco 49ers.
His first big move as Browns GM should be just as bold.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
