Browns like what they see in NDSU’s Wentz

By MARY KAY CABOT

The Plain Dealer

MOBILE, Ala.

Browns coach Hue Jackson hasn’t communicated with Johnny Manziel yet, but he’s already met with North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz, one of top prospects in the NFL draft.

Wentz, one of the two biggest standouts here at the Senior Bowl along with Ohio State receiver Braxton Miller, was one of several players that Jackson sat down and spoke with at the Senior Bowl this week.

“This just starts the process of getting to know these young players,’’ Jackson told cleveland.com. “It’s just phase one of the process. It’s just good to be able to talk to as many guys as we could. It was good to talk to him and find out a little bit about him and I’m sure I’ll get an opportunity to find out a little more as we go.’’

Jackson, who has the second and 32nd picks in the draft, sat in the stands and watched Wentz (6-5, 233) practice with the North team — coached by the Dallas Cowboys — for all three practices leading up to Saturday’s game.

“It’s always hard when you’re sitting in the stands watching these young guys, but he has a lot of the characteristics that you look for,” he said. “Again, it’s just so early in this process and until you can really study them and get to know them will you really be able to make a sound judgment.’’

Wentz, who’s in the conversation to be the No. 1 quarterback in the draft according to NFL Network’s Mike Mayock and Daniel Jeremiah, told cleveland.com that he enjoyed his meeting with Jackson.

“I thought it went well,’’ said Wentz. “Kind of like all of my meetings, it went well and he seemed like a really good guy and obviously I’m assuming he’s going to be a really good coach up there in Cleveland, so it went well.’’

Wentz also chatted on the field after practice Wednesday with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who has the No. 4 pick. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has speculated that the Cowboys might move up to No. 1 to draft Tony Romo’s successor.

“It was cool,’’ said Wentz. “Obviously a legend and icon like Jerry Jones, it’s really cool to get to meet him. I didn’t even recognize him right away because he had his hat on and sunglasses and he was trying to be discreet, but you all found him and everything. It was cool to meet him and just say hey real quick.’’

Jackson, who’s said he needs a “dominant, consistent quarterback,’’ acknowledged that there are some quality candidates at the top of the draft. It seems the club has all but given up on Manziel, who’s failing to demonstrate this off-season that he’s dedicated to the game and to getting his act together off the field.

Jackson told cleveland.com on Wednesday that he’s reached out to number of players, but that Manziel wasn’t “in the first batch.’’

The other quarterbacks getting first-round consideration are Cal’s Jared Goff, whom Jackson has heard a lot about, and Memphis’ Paxton Lynch. Neither Goff, Lynch nor Michigan’s Connor Cook participated in the Senior Bowl.

“I’m excited about some of the potential of these young quarterbacks, but again until you can really spend the time, you don’t know,’’ said Jackson. “Whatever we decide to do as our draft unfolds, these are important decisions and this just the first part of it as we watch all of these guys and evaluate them as to what’s best for us.’’

Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown, who acknowledged that the Browns are “certainly looking at the quarterback,” has been impressed with Wentz. Brown sat next to Jackson each day and watched practice.