In the 2012 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns have the fourth pick in the first round. After a 4-12 season, the Browns do not want to waste the pick on somebody who will not pan out. However, the Browns do not want to play it too safe and have another dismal season. The real question is whether or not they should pursue Baylor quarterback, Robert Griffin III, aka RG3.
The Heisman winning quarterback is coming off an excellent season, in which he put some impressive numbers. Griffin III had over 4000 yards passing, and 47 combined touchdowns. He could be a good fit for the Browns and could re-ignite their offense. On the flip side, they still have Colt McCoy, who has struggled in part due to the lack of strong play-makers and a porous offensive line. This puts the Browns in a position of drafting a quarterback or providing their current quarterback with a deep threat to get the offense rolling. Let’s take a closer look at both scenarios.
Browns draft RG3: To most people looking at the situation in Cleveland, this makes the most sense. Their offense was stagnant, finishing near the bottom in both passing and rushing yards on the season. Robert Griffin III would give the Cleveland offense some life, and could turn things around. Adding Griffin III would give Cleveland a similar spark that Cam Newton gave to the Panthers this past season, in which they went from 32nd to 7th in total offense. The Browns have struggled offensively, and need to find a way to score points in a very competitive division.
Browns do not draft RG3: There are very few people out there that believe McCoy is the quarterback of the future for the Browns. While those people have very good evidence to support this claim, McCoy can still be a successful quarterback for the Browns. What McCoy and the Browns need is a play-maker, someone who can be a threat down the field. There are two specific guys that fit that mold: Wide Receiver Justin Blackmon and Running Back Trent Richardson. Either of these guys would give the Browns an offensive weapon that they do not currently have. Blackmon is a better fit, but Richardson would also fit well into the offense.
Now that I have given the reasons for drafting or not drafting Griffin III, it’s time to make a decision. As much as the Browns would benefit from drafting RG3, they do not need to do that. McCoy has shown signs of being a successful quarterback. If the Browns can get a big time weapon with their first pick then find somebody else later in the draft, they can still be an effective offense with McCoy leading the way.
Robert Edgcomb - I have been a sports enthusiast my entire life. I have strong opinions and I use facts and statistics to support everything I write.
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