Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, citing league sources, reports that Browns HC Hue Jackson actually preferred to draft Carson Wentz over Jared Goff back in 2016.
The Rams made the trade up to get Goff at No. 1 overall and Cabot mentions that everyone assumed everyone assumed that the Browns ultimately passed on Wentz because he preferred Goff. However, Cabot says that wasn’t actually the case.
Cabot’s sources said that both Jackson and then assistant HC/offense Pep Hamilton worked out Wentz and were “blown away” and instantly sold on him as their quarterback of the future. According to Cabot, it was actually Wentz’ football acumen that vaulted him to No. 1.
In fact, Wentz actually felt like the Browns were going to draft him because of how much Jackson liked him during the draft process and the fact that they had developed a good working relationship, sources told Cabot.
Unfortunately, the Browns’ front office determined that Wentz wasn’t going to be a top 20 quarterback and elected to trade the pick to the Eagles.
The Browns have continued to flip draft picks for more future assets. As of now, they acquired WR Corey Coleman, RT Shon Coleman, QB Cody Kessler, WR Ricardo Louis, S Derrick Kindred, WR Jordan Payton, OL Spencer Drango, S Jabrill Peppers and QB DeShone Kizer and they still have a 2018 first-round pick from the Texans and a 2018 second-round selection from the Eagles to work with.
One of Cabot’s sources said that Cleveland never really intended to use that No. 2 overall pick because they had so many holes to fill.
The Browns are still trying to determine whether Kizer can be their quarterback of the future. Meanwhile, Wentz has the Eagles with the best record in the NFL and is clearcut MVP candidate.
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