UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen is turning pro. Despite some talk that Rosen so wanted to avoid the Browns that he could stay in school just to keep them from taking him first overall, Rosen confirmed today that he will enter the draft. “I am officially declaring for the 2018 NFL draft,” Rosen wrote in a Twitter message thanking UCLA for his three years there. Rosen has the talent to be the first pick in the draft, and if the Browns like him they would presumably select him regardless of any reports that he doesn’t want to play for them. If Rosen doesn’t go first overall to the Browns, he could go to the Giants at No. 2 or to a team that trades up for him. Suffice to say, he’s unlikely to be waiting long to hear his name called when the draft begins on April 26.
The following was posted by Demolisher on the Steelers board a few days ago (before Darnold and Rosen declared). I thought he had a fairly accurate write up and thought I would share it here. Josh Rosen - Has outright declared that he doesn't want to be drafted by the Browns. I don't blame him, but how big of an entitled douche can you be? His team doesn't give him glowing reviews as a teammate. When was the last time a good QB came out of UCLA? Mason Rudolph - Good production, but has a limited ceiling. Only average arm talent. But, he's got an ideal QB stature, so some team will overrate him based on that and his college numbers alone, which IMO are inflated by the offense he plays in. Lamar Jackson - Every running-based QB to ever play was used as a comparison to Jackson. I've seen him compared to Michael Vick and RGIII. Can succeed, but will need a great supporting cast and coaching staff. Spindly frame looks more like a WR than a QB - size may not be everything but Jackson is so small that it's worrying. He may be a frequent inclusion on the injury report at the next level. Unlikely to be on Russel Wilson's or Deshaun Watson's level. Sam Darnold - No better than Matt Leinart, Matt Barkley, or any of the other mincemeat to emerge from USC's hype train. Had a bad 2017 season and now he may not even declare for the draft. Josh Allen - The best arm in this draft class. Paxton Lynch is the best comparison I can think of. Extremely raw. Will need two years to even think about being ready. Less than 57% completion rate is awful and puts him in dreadful company (Christian Hackenberg, Kyle Boller, Derek Anderson, etc) Ryan Finley - May not even declare, but looks pretty solid. Not the most talented, but he's smart and hard-working. The middle of his trajectory could be as a quality backup or low-end starter who can win some games. Luke Falk - Gross. No upside. Air-Raid offense makes for a long learning curve for any NFL offense. Below-average arm talent. May not even be drafted. Baker Mayfield - By all accounts the most likely to be a franchise QB in the NFL. To me, he looks like Russel Wilson on the field. Teams may be turned off by his attitude and demeanor, but his teammates reportedly love playing for him. Has a nasty competitive streak and incredible work ethic. However, also has a public intoxication arrest on his record. It might be worth monitoring to see how NFL QB money affects him.
If he returns, there are only two first-round prospect QBs and they won't both be available at No. 4. Browns must take their guy at No. 1 overall.
I am assuming those 2 are Rosen and Mayfield (duh) ? If so . . . Then, IMHO, there is only 1 . . . Mayfield! The only knocks I hear about him are his stature and a public intox arrest. I couldn't care less about his height. The dude has that eye of the tiger mentality that has been sorely lacking here. I don't have enough fingers to count how many times I could have been arrested for public intox and somehow dodged the bullet.
Yessir. I want nothing to do with Sam Darnold and if this team drafts Josh Allen No. 1 overall I will rage quit the Browns and go root for the Bills (thanks, Phil!). Early reports out of Berea were that Hue Jackson preferred Josh Rosen. It's an odd choice since he doesn't excel at throwing deep downfield and does best off play-action (meaning we'd actually have to run the football). As soon as he announced his intentions, the dreaded "anonymous scout" said there was no way John Dorsey didn't draft Josh Allen. Yes, it's silly season, but I have a hard time believing three football lifers (Jackson, Dorsey, and Alonzo Highsmith) go against the conventional NFL wisdom and take the 6'0" Mayfield at No. 1 overall. So if the debate is Rosen/Darnold (or *shudder*, Josh Allen) then we have to go Rosen at No. 1 and not look back. Again, projecting what I think the team will do, not what it should do.
I think what the Browns will do depends a lot on who the veteran free agent QB is. I also think there is no way they can go through this off season and NOT bring in a veteran QB.
Agreed. I just think the Browns - and Browns fans - are going to be in for a rude awakening when it comes time to sign that guy. I would expect Cousins to sign with Denver or New York (Jets). If we assume Bortles and Taylor are retained by their teams, that leaves the veteran market place pretty bare. I would love Alex Smith but I'm not sure how the Chiefs could give him up after a career year, another season under contract (at a reasonable price tag) and turn the reins over to Mahomes. That could change... Harbaugh unloaded Smith for Kaepernick and went to a Super Bowl. However, it also ended in spectacularly destruction, so that's a bit of a cautionary tale. If A.J. McCarron loses his injunction (I can't see how they'd side with the player because it's a dangerous slippery slope), he gets RFA tendered. If Cincinnati wants to move him, they'd be smart to not put a first round tag on him. A second could cost us #33 overall or we could work out a comparable trade, but it's a high cost for a bridge QB.
I was thinking more like Case Keenum. His playing style is comparable to Josh Rosen. Although Keenum's situation is a lot like Alex Smith's.
A couple more names... In the three-headed Minnesota race, I would expect them to re-sign Bridgewater and Keenum. The odd-man (Bradford, most likely) out could follow Pat Shurmur if he gets a new head coaching job and needs a QB. There's a chance Bradford still thinks he's a starter in this league and he's already said once he didn't want to play in Cleveland. He's a huge injury concern. Drew Brees and Sean Payton - if the Saints can afford it - should be back to New Orleans. Cutler is JAG. Josh McCown will want to start and should be retained by the Jets if they miss out on Cousins - even if the Jets take a QB like Darnold. Tom Savage, Blaine Gabbert, Brock Osweiler, Matt Moore, and Drew Stanton are the only other guys who'll hit the market and have started games this year. Savage could be an interesting one to keep an eye on if we somehow land Sean Ryan.
Another silly season scenario: The Browns shock the world and sign free agent Kirk Cousins. Now what do you do at #1 and #4.? Fitzpatrick and Barkley then the best leftover QB at #33?
If they sign Cousins, I'd say Chubbs or Barkley at #1 and Fitpatrick, Barkley or Mayfield @ #4. Although, if Cousins is aboard, they more than likely forgo QB in the draft.
