Following weeks of what appeared to be radio silence this offseason, the Cleveland Browns were one of the busiest teams in the league on Friday as they agreed to multiple deals involving various draft picks and players. One of these moves included acquiring veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a 2018 third-round pick.
The move has presumably slotted the 28-year-old to be the Browns' starter for the 2018 season. During the most recent episode of All-Pro Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas' podcast, he had high praise for his new teammate comparing him to one of the top quarterbacks in the league. (h/t Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com)
“I hate when people make comparisons, but with that being said, it's time for a comparison. He reminds me a little bit of Russell Wilson, (who) throws an incredible deep ball, one of the best in the game. (Taylor can) operate an offense and run it efficiently, be able to make plays, extend plays with his feet, make a lot of great decisions when he's in the pocket.”
This certainly lofty praise from Thomas in regards to Taylor given that Wilson has established himself as a top-tier player at his position. That said, the eighth-year quarterback does share some similar traits in that he is quite mobile can be a legitimate threat with his feet that allows to extend plays or pick yards on the run.
However, Taylor has struggled to translate that ability to help him become a more consistent passer up to this point in his career. He experienced much of those struggles in 2017 despite helping lead the Bills to their first playoff appearance in nearly two decades. Taylor finished with 2,799 passing yards on a 62.6 percent completion rate with 14 touchdowns to four interceptions while recording 427 rushing yards with four touchdowns in 15 games played.
This fresh start with the Browns could be what he needs to possibly establish himself as a formidable long-term starting quarterback as he will a few promising offensive weapons around him with a pair of Pro Bowl-talent wide receivers with Josh Gordon and Jarvis Landry. The team also still has a plethora of salary cap space to make either additional trades or sign players in free agency to bring aboard more talent.
With Taylor set to enter the final year of his two-year, $30 million deal, it will be an opportunity for him to prove he can be the quarterback that finally leads the Browns to success and snap their 16-year playoff drought.
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