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QB Search 2017: Player Profile AJ McCarron

*This is part two of a 10 part series where we will look at the Cleveland Browns options for the elusive quarterback of the future.

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Bengals back up QB AJ McCarron

Name: AJ McCarron

Height: 6’3″

Weight: 22o pounds

Throws: Right

School: Alabama

NFL Team: Cincinnati Bengals

Draft Spot or Projection: 5th round, 164th overall (2014)

Strengths: Good size for an NFL QB…big hands…played in a pro style offense and makes NFL caliber reads…goes through progressions well…good short to intermediate accuracy in the pocket and also accurate while on the move…above average mechanics with smooth throwing motion…used to being under center from college offense…above average arm strength…takes care of the ball…smart…a leader on the field…prepares well.

WeaknessesStruggles with the deep ball…not overly athletic…does not drive the ball at times, causing his receives to adjust a lot of times, putting them in awkward situations…had an amazing NFL caliber team around him in college, hard to tell how much was him and how much was the talent around him as far as wins and production…

Summary: When I wrote my original scouting report on McCarron I was stuck on how good his supporting cast was. Watching just McCarron’s mechanics and the way he works in the pocket, you can see a guy who has talent but is also a big product of the guys around him. In the NFL he can be an average starter, but will only get as far as the talent around him can help him.

Up next Part Three: Bills QB Tyrod Taylor

Part one: Jimmy Garoppolo

Report: Browns Release Josh McCown

According to Mike Garafalo of the NFL Network, the Cleveland Browns have released veteran quarterback Josh McCown.

McCown, 37, joined the Browns in 2015. He threw for 3209 yards with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Originally brought in by former general manager Ray Farmer to be a mentor to Johnny Manziel, McCown became a fan favorite and showed unbelievable toughness on the field. There were reports that the team and head coach Hue Jackson offered McCown a chance to stay on as a coach, but the veteran still wants to continue his career as a player.

McCown signed a three-year deal to join the Browns and was due over $3.5 million in 2017, as well as a $750,000 roster bonus.

Browns Add Former Buckeye Powell

On Monday the Cleveland Browns announced that they have claimed Tyvis Powell off of waivers from the Seattle Seahawks.

Powell, a 6’3″ 211 pound defensive back, went undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft following an outstanding career as an Ohio State Buckeye.

Powell had 11 tackles and one interception for the Seahawks in the preseason, but was mainly a special teamer during the regular season and then was cut during the playoffs. Powell, who grew up in Bedford, Ohio is known as a diehard Browns fan by those who have covered him, will now have a chance to fulfill his dream of playing for his childhood team. He will also bring much needed depth to one of the weakest spots on the Browns current roster.

 

QB Search 2017: Player Profile Jimmy Garoppolo

*This is the first part of a 10 part series where we will take a look at the Cleveland Browns options for the elusive quarterback of the future. 

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Name: Jimmy Garoppolo

Height: 6’2 1/4″

Weight: 225 pounds

Throws: Right

School: Eastern Illinois

NFL Team: New England Patriots

Draft Spot or Projection: 2nd round, 62nd overall (2014)

Strengths: Good, but not great size…Excellent usage of his eyes, scans the entire field…lightning fast release…accurate…smooth, natural delivery…good feet, helps evade pocket pressure, average pocket presence, resets himself after getting “happy feet” on occasions…very good ball placement…stays calm, leader on the field, does not show many ups and downs…executes his offense well…elite production at FCS school with 13,156 yards and 118 touchdowns…2013 Walter Payton Award winner…

Weaknesses: Velocity is not elite, but good enough…needs to continue to improve his decision making…deep ball accuracy issues…has tendency to go side arm at times…will take time to develop…holds the ball to long and needs to develop a better internal clock…gets happy feet when faced with pressure and does not show great form when forced to improvise…

Summary: When I wrote the original scouting report on Garoppolo in 2014, I saw him as a late second to early third round quarterback who would be an NFL starter if given the time to develop. After sitting behind Brady and working with Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels over the past three seasons, he has been given the proper time to develop and has been taught by some of the best ever. If Garoppolo was in the 2017 draft with his current skill set, shown in minimal NFL playing time, I truly believe he would he would be a first round pick.

Up next: Bengals QB A.J. McCarron

Sources: Browns Will Show Interest In Every Available Quarterback

Earlier today, reports came out that the Browns have a very real interest in trading for Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The 6’3″, 25 year-old, backup to Tom Brady is one of the more attractive options that could be available this offseason, so it should come as no surprise that the quarterback starved Browns would have an interest. However, in late January, with only rookie Cody Kessler, the ghost of RGIII, and veteran journeyman Josh McCown on the roster, expect the Browns to show interest in any and all available quarterbacks. In fact, don’t be surprised if they end up trading for a signal caller AND drafting one in April in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Armed with 5 picks in the top 65, the Browns will have plenty of options available to them to make moves as they attempt to find the guy who will lead this team into the future. In the coming months, you will hear the names Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer, Patrick Mahomes, and possibly Brad Kaaya in the NFL Draft and Garoppolo, AJ McCarron, as well as many others linked to the Browns.

If you are a fan of the Browns, as well as a fan of any of these guys, do not get your hopes up to soon. As this point there will be lots of smoke, but don’t expect fire until at least early March.