The 2018 NFL Draft is expected to be one of the more quarterback-heavy affairs in recent history. Headlining this year's group of promising prospects is USC quarterback Sam Darnold.
Darnold solidified that notion with a stellar performance in the rain at USC's Pro Day. According to SI's Albert Breer, one anonymous AFC exec says every team is convinced that they were looking at the Cleveland Browns' future franchise quarterback:
“He’s going number one,” said one AFC exec, via text from L.A. “Everyone out there today saw the Browns’ franchise quarterback.”
Darnold has been touted as the future No. 1 overall pick ever since before the start of last season. However, it seems to have finally started to become a reality. He caught plenty of flak for not throwing at this year's Scouting Combine with the other top quarterbacks in the draft. Fortunately, he managed to make up for it with an even more impressive showing amidst the unfavorable weather conditions.
The Browns currently own the first and fourth overall picks in this year's draft. Given their decades-long search for a franchise player under center, it makes sense that they would make Darnold their top pick. Furthermore, Cleveland has seemingly erased the pressure of him having to turn the team around immediately after bringing in quarterback Tyrod Taylor to start while he continues to develop.
However, the Browns have done little to tip their hand about going chalk with the first pick. The team is already in the process of working out the other top quarterbacks in this year's draft such as UCLA's Josh Rosen, Wyoming's Josh Allen, and Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield.
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