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Browns, Steelers faced with tough choices at QB
By MIKE McLAIN
For the Cleveland Browns it’s become a spring ritual, which is all the more reason they should have done it right by now.
The Pittsburgh Steelers rarely worry about it at this time of the year, but the last time they did it couldn’t have worked out better.
Such is the difference between the two AFC North Division rivals and why the Steelers usually play well into January and the Browns only play in the month if the regular season happens to extend into the New Year.
The ritual is the Browns’ never-ending search for a franchise quarterback capable of leading them from the depths of the NFL to respectability. They’ve been trying since selecting Tim Couch first overall as an expansion franchise in 1999, and they haven’t stopped since. The Steelers last selected a quarterback high in the first round in 2004 (Ben Roethlisberger 11th overall), hitting on a future Hall of Famer.
The search for the Browns is under an even more intense spotlight this year since they own the first and 12th picks. The Steelers are also in the quarterback mix because Roethlisberger is 35 and hinted at retirement at the end of last season.
The Browns couldn’t be so fortunate as to have a “sure thing” in the mold of John Elway from which to choose. Instead, they’re presented with a group of prospects that have collectively been rated all over the board, which will make Thursday’s proceedings so interesting.
Most of the discussions have centered on Clemson’s Deshaun Watson and North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky. Trubisky has been linked to the Browns at No. 1, but there are mock drafts that have him slipping out of the top 10. Watson has been projected from the top-10 to the lower part of the first round.
Among the concerns surrounding Trubisky is a lack of experience (he was a one-year starter for the Tar Heels). He had just 125 combined attempts in 2014 and ’15 before completing 304-of-447 passes (68 percent) for 3,748 yards, 30 touchdowns and six interceptions last season.
Trubisky, listed at 6-3 and 210 pounds, is accurate in the short and mid-range game but doesn’t possess a great arm on deep throws. He’s athletic and showed an ability to make progressions in his reads.
Still, there’s that issue about starting only one season.
“That’s a question everybody’s asking,” Trubisky said at the NFL combine. “I think I definitely have enough experience. I only have 13 starts but I played in 30 games. I’ve come in off the bench and I’ve seen significant time.”
Trubisky, who played east of Cleveland at Mentor High School, grew up rooting for the Browns. It would be a dream scenario for him to be selected by the Browns, but it would come with the pressure of being a hometown kid trying to end the jinx the franchise has had at the position.
“There’s going to be pressure pretty much everywhere you go,” Trubisky said. “There’s exterior pressure, but there’s not more pressure than the one I put on myself. Nobody can put more pressure on me than myself, and I expect more out of myself than anybody else.”
Unlike Trubisky, Watson (6-3, 190) gained a ton of experience as a three-year starter for the Tigers. He appeared in numerous big games, including the last two national championship games – a loss to Alabama for the 2015 title and a win over Alabama last season. He has 1,206 career attempts, including 577 last season. He completed 386 of those passes in 2016 (66.9 percent) for 4,589 yards, 41 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
The first concern that surfaces is the interception total. Watson had 32 in his career compared to 90 touchdown passes.
“I understand that was going to come and it happens,” Watson said of being asked about the interceptions at the combine. “It’s something they obviously are going to poke holes. If I were in their shoes I would poke holes too.
“I take full responsibility in all of that. Sometimes you just have bad luck. Sometimes the defense makes a good play. Sometimes I make a bad
throw.”
Scouts have to be intrigued with Watson’s showing in the two championship games against Alabama’s elite defense. He was a combined 66-of-103 for 825 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception.
Most reports indicate that the Browns are leaning towards Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett with the first pick, which means Trubisky and Watson could be gone before 12. If they opt for a quarterback with the first pick, it appears Trubisky has an edge over Watson.
Two quarterbacks that could be available when the Steelers select at 30 are Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech and DeShone Kizer of Notre Dame. Mahomes is as interesting as any quarterback in the group, possessing an unbelievably strong throwing arm. He can be undisciplined and prone to turnovers.
Mahomes completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 5,052 yards with 41 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season.