No matter what anybody says, the Browns are hoping to God that the Vikings don’t auction their pick to the highest bidder for Robert Griffin III. The Browns and Mike Holmgren want Griffin III. They know that, while Colt McCoy is a serviceable pro, he will never be a franchise guy. McCoy is too tiny and just doesn’t have the arm to be a cornerstone type of player. McCoy seems more like a 10 year back-up in the mold of Ty Detmer or Charlie Batch. He could start a couple of games for your team and not jeopardize the season. This is not a knock on McCoy. I like the kid, but I’m just not convinced he can be an above-average starter at this level.
RGIII is the real deal. He is a leader. The kid has the moxy to be a cornerstone. Griffin can make all the throws and, with a guru like Holmgren and a young QB friendly coach in Pat Shumur, he has the potential to continue growing as a passer – something he has shown he is serious about doing. What if Griffin III is not available? Do they reach for Landry Jones if he decides to enter the draft or do they go another direction? If I’m in the front office I go another route.
Next years QB crop should be deeper than this season’s and the Browns have holes to fill. So who is the pick if Griffin is gone? Well, Cleveland could take it in a few directions. They would be smart to consider Trent Richardson, RB/Alabama. Richardson is the exception when drafting a RB early. He is a game changer. He has a decisive, “bull in a china store” running style. He may not have the fastest 40 time at the combine, but I guarantee when you put him in pads with a couple tacklers after him, there are not many people faster. Football speed is different than 40 times and Richardson has football speed. He is also a fantastic receiver out of the backfield – a bonus in a vanilla offense like Cleveland.
What about Peyton Hillis? Hillis is a nice player – one that simply doesn’t compare to the talent and effort that Richardson would bring to the Browns. Or Montario Hardesty? Honestly, the only people who still consider Hardesty a building block for the future are die hard Browns fans who aren’t willing to see that the former second-rounder is simply too injury-prone to ever be a full time back in the league. Richardson would give this team something they haven’t had in years, a potential superstar in the backfield. Other options could be Quinton Coples DE/UNC, Riley Reiff OT/Iowa (who would make a fantastic bookend with perennial All-Pro Joe Thomas) or Justin Blackmon WR/Oklahoma State. Cleveland could also attempt to trade back to gain picks and fill in holes that would be a reach at the four spot. Luke Kuechly LB/BC would be a great fit in Cleveland with his lunch pail approach to the game, but only in a slide down scenario.
Cleveland’s coaching staff should not be facing any turmoil this offseason. Pat Shurmur and his staff will be given at least another season to implement their system. If RGIII is the pick, Shumur may have gained himself another year or two as well. The Browns have a lot of work to do, but have set themselves up with good people throughout the organization. Holmgren gives them stability and experience. Shurmur is young and has proven he is capable of helping a young offense as he did with the Sam Bradford led Rams of 2010. Will Cleveland move themselves out of the top 10 in the draft in 2013 with a good offseason in 2012? Probably not. Though, this franchise has the potential to set themselves up for a very bright future. Let’s just hope RGIII is sitting there when the Browns pick number four in April.