DRAFT LAYOUT
There is something to note right off the bat here. The Cleveland Browns and the San Francisco 49ers both need quarterback. Badly. Robert Griffin III did nothing for the Browns and Colin Kaepernick is expected to opt out of his current contract with the 49ers. That makes already thin positions practically barren for them.
Two other factors in play from a draft perspective? The past two saw quarterbacks go at the #1 and #2 slots. Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota went in 2015. Jared Goff and Carson Wentz went last year. It’s further proof that teams understand if they want a quarterback, their best hope is to get him early in the draft while it’s still possible.
Adding to this is the reality that the 2017 class is relatively weak. Not so much in physical talent but depth. Beyond the first four names, who are the same for everybody, the starter-quality bodies dry up fast. Waiting until the second round doesn’t sound like a viable strategy this year. Thus the pressure to get one early increases. Even the Browns might not be able to risk waiting until their other first round pick at #12. Not with the Jets, Chargers, Bills and Saints all risks to take one to varying degrees.
DISAPPEARING ALTERNATIVES
This of course explains why both Cleveland and San Francisco are so interested in Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garoppolo. Both represent potential solutions to this problem. On the other hand, the odds are tilting towards both of those options being unavailable.
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#Redskins president on Kirk Cousins contract: "I don’t think it’s as complicated as everyone wants to make it." https://t.co/UlnP9Fnjv1 pic.twitter.com/ojLAMz1XKH
— CSN Redskins (@CSNRedskins) February 4, 2017
Cousins just reached his first Pro Bowl. The odds on him leaving Washington aren’t very high. As for Garoppolo, he’s the biggest trade chip by far this off-season. However, it’s important to note that him being available and the Patriots actually trading him are two different things. At the end of the day Tom Brady is still going to be 40-years old. The Patriots could choose to hang onto Garoppolo for 2017 to see what happens. They always have the franchise tag in their back pocket if they wish to maintain control of his rights and still trade him in 2018.
Similar to how they did it in 2009 with Matt Cassel.
Thus the Browns and 49ers are forced into a decision. Either they settle for a potential free agent in a market that will be thin or they bite the bullet and get their quarterbacks right away. Thus the road is clear for Garrett to slip down to the #3 spot right into the waiting arms of the Bears.
Of course this means their own quarterback concerns will remain valid, but Ryan Pace is always a man about getting the best player available. Setting up his defense with two dynamic edge rushers for the next 7-10 years is a tremendous step in the right direction for this franchise. His goal after all is to make this team better as much as possible. This would do it.
