Adrian Wojnarowski discusses David Blatt’s firing on Garbage Time With Katie Nolan (Video)
January 29, 2016Cleveland State outshot, outrebounded, overmatched by 18-4 Valparaiso
January 29, 2016The 2016 NFL Draft may still be over three months away, but NFL executives are already weighing in on who the Cleveland Browns should take with the second-overall pick. While talking to cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot at the Senior Bowl this week, one NFL executive stated that the Browns should absolutely pick North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz with the second-overall selection in the draft.
“If the Browns take Carson Wentz at No. 2 they’d be set for 15 years,” the highly-respected personnel man, whose team does not need a quarterback, said. “He’s the best quarterback in the draft. If I were picking at No. 2, I’d take him. It will solve all of their problems and they’d get that team turned around.”
The executive, who’s team already has a franchise quarterback, is very high on the FCS gunslinger. Likewise, Cleveland’s executive’s are also very high on Wentz, so high that Hue Jackson and Sashi Brown, along with Jimmy Haslam, flew down to Mobile, Alabama to check out and interview the quarterback, among other seniors. According to Cabot, Jackson and Brown met with Wentz on Tuesday night and came away “impressed.”
Scout’s Inc. listed Wentz as one of its “biggest risers” due to his work in Mobile.
Wentz’s physical tools are obvious. He’s a big, strong kid with an awesome arm and good mobility. He passed the test, showing he could make all the necessary throws. What’s perhaps more impressive — or more revelatory — is the way he carried himself. When he wasn’t getting physical reps, he made a point to listen to the call in the huddle so he could still get mental reps. You can tell Wentz just loves football. Within a QB class that doesn’t really have a clear-cut top guy right now, Wentz made a strong case to be the No. 1 passer off the board. (And oh by the way, he did it while being coached by the staff of the Dallas Cowboys, who pick at No. 4 overall and could be in the market to draft Tony Romo’s long-term successor.) It’s hard to imagine this week going much better for Wentz.
Scouts at the Senior Bowl have been very impressed with Wentz so far this week, considering him the top quarterback there. While at North Dakota State, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound quarterback threw for 5,115 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in 42 games, while also running for 1,028 yards and 13 touchdowns. He completed 64 percent of his pass attempts. Wentz may be raw, but the quarterback has the size, speed, and arm strength to compete at the next level. The Bismarck, North Dakota native was named the 2015 and 2016 NCAA Division I Championship Game Most Outstanding Player as well.
Hue Jackson has plenty of experience working with FCS quarterbacks. He was position coach for Baltimore’s Joe Flacco, who went to Delaware, helping guide him to two consecutive playoff berths in his first two seasons in the NFL.
For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Mel Kiper presently has the Browns taking California quarterback Jared Goff at No. 2, over Wentz. Wentz is the third-best quarterback according to Kiper, with Goff and Memphis’ Paxton Lynch claiming the top two spots. Between Wentz’s work at the Senior Bowl in addition to improving sentiment among executives, this ranking could conceivably be subject to change.
36 Comments
Silly season has started early this year.
flip him + Johnny to the Cowboys for #4+ 2017 1st Rounder who says no?
Wentz checks off all the physical tools, but he’s only really had 1 year of college experience and it was at FCS. He’ll shine at Senior Bowl and at combine, but I think he needs patience and an infrastructure. Cowboys would be a great fit. Browns, notsomuch.
“If the Browns take Carson Wentz at No. 2 they’d be set for 15 years. He’s the best quarterback in the draft. If I were
picking at No. 2, I’d take him. It will solve all of their problems and
they’d get that team turned around.”
Very high praise indeed. Sounds like a no-brainer can’t-miss pick! What could go wrong?
But think of all the fun: Wentz haz the toolz…goez ballz out.
Also, Dolanz are cheap.
NFL is pulling one over on the Browns.
“Psst, hey everyone…talk up this guy so we can convince the Browns to take him!!”
There’s probably not a single QB in this draft that fits the Browns but I’m almost 100% they need to pick one.
Haha…but Browns were one of first to give lavish praise on Wentz publicly. Personally, I think they want everyone to think they love both Goff and Wentz so there’ll be more doubt about trading up to #1 for other teams.
Goff fits. After him, it’s a bad overall QB draft especially for any team needing someone Year 1.
But is he related to Pete Wentz? If so, then you have to pass because Pete Wentz is a super douche.
Hey MKC,
http://cdn.factorialist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/frank.gif
Fortunately no one at any of these events has any reason to deceive.
He has what it takes to succeed “at the next level,” huh? FBS?
I do like that he’s not a typical college option QB- he plays a lot of pro set under center. ALso, his size and arm. I guess his accuracy is good?
“What’s not to like?”
Cardale Jones 7th round pick
I’ve said it numerous times Goff is my guy right now. Unless he’s dumb as a rock and has beer can elbow like Billy Manziel.
I don’t think he lasts anywhere near that long but I’d use a later pick on him if he’s still available. Speaking of Buckeyes Braxton Miller is embarrassing cornerbacks I hear.
I say he is related then because I want the Browns to pass 🙂
you’re spelling two good. Dolanz R cheep!
No, I agree. I just saw an open window to make a dumb joke. Kid sounds like he’s the real deal, and from what I’ve seen and heard, I personally like him better than Goff – but I must defer to mgbode, upon whom I’ve placed my entire trust on 2016 QB draft analysis.
Ive seen some videos, great footwork
Wasn’t Pete Wentz married to Ashlee Simpson, whose sister is Jessica Simpson, who is the ex-girlfriend of Cowboys’ QB Tony Romo, whom the Cowboys are looking to start grooming his successor?
This confirms it, The Browns are trading Manziel to the Cowboys.
It really is a far better scenario than Goff being the only consensus early round pick.
Over / under on MKC Mr Perfect vs. “Wentzy” articles before the draft….11
http://i.imgur.com/9hMhb7L.gif
Bingo.
Sure, couldn’t hurt.
Braxton is doing work.
The best thing is that I was thinking of this exact clip, then I scrolled down a bit to see you had already posted it. Kudos sir.
I honestly don’t think he’s the least bit “raw” as this article portends. There’s just an added level of risk that isn’t present with the FBS quarterbacks on the board. Cardale Jones is “raw”… he has a big arm and there’s some things to like, but he needs a lot of refinement. I think Wentz looks just as polished as any of the other QBs coming out. Maybe not quite where Goff is, but I think he’s actually less “raw” than Lynch.
I liked him before the festivities down in Alabama and I like him even more now. He showed that he can make all of the throws, he played in an NFL-style offense, he has prototypical size and can move in the pocket, he supposedly comes across as a leader and a football-obsessed mind… there’s just so much to like. If you listen to him talk about why he played at an FCS school, it makes a lot of sense. He didn’t start playing QB until his senior season, which is very late in the recruiting game. And he lived in Bismarck, ND… not exactly a place where college coaches are flocking to watch high school football games.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/004df705d32af85f418472ceb82ea5686190b3dafa0705193a4c5b845d723621.gif
I really like what I’ve seen as well and look forward to more feedback from some of the draft guys I trust going forward. Couple of observations about the cold weather thing though:
1. He played in a dome at NDSU.
2. Aaron Rogers played college ball in California and seems OK in Green Bay, Jay Cutler/Vanderbilt to Chicago, Eli/Ole MIss to NY, Peyton/TEN to Denver, Stafford/GA to DET and Bridgewater/Louisville to MIN.
I just think maybe we make a little too much out of this. If the guy can play he can play.
Lack of starts is a real worry to for a guy from that level. He has the tools.
I don’t like Lynch, so would be fine someone grading Wentz higher, just don’t think either is a 1st round guy (both might go there anyway)
I was actually thinking of Peyton when I was thinking of a guy who seemingly doesn’t play nearly as well in cold weather. It seems to be the main reason that he only has one Superbowl win and often chokes in the playoffs. You’re right, Wentz did play his games in a dome at NDSU, but I’m willing to bet that their practice field probably isn’t in the dome. He also grew up there, so didn’t play in a dome until he got to college. It might be nothing, and maybe you’re right… just seems like it really bothered our Texas QBs in the past.
That would be a lower level of importance for me. You’re not going to get a lot out of production stats from Wentz at the FCS level anyway, so adding a few more games to the mix doesn’t mean much for me in evaluating him. The question I think would be whether or not that injury in 2015 leads you to believe he’s an injury risk. I think that’s the only big injury he’s had in college, so doesn’t scare me off, but I could see how some might see it as an issue.