Browns roster: Predicting how the Browns QB room will turn out

Rumors about Russell Wilson, Cam Ward, Kirk Cousins, Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe for the Browns have swirled

It feels like the QB carousel in Cleveland will never end. When the Cleveland Browns traded for quarterback Deshaun Watson, many thought the search would be over. It is not. Watson couldn’t recapture what he did in Houston and now the team is back at square one.

It is never easy to look for a quarterback, but finding competent quarterback play is what Cleveland needs at this point. As it stands, quarterback Kenny Pickett is the only healthy quarterback currently on the roster. Pickett should not be the starter come Week 1 (I’d like to guarantee you) so that leaves the one backup QB spot and the potential starter QB spots to be filled out.

QB1: Kirk Cousins

As far as everyone thinking that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will be fine with being the backup to quarterback Michael Penix, not necessarily. Atlanta picked up Cousins roster bonus this past weekend that triggered a $10 million roster bonus but if anyone who can read between the lines knows the real game that is being played. Atlanta wants a draft pick and they want a team to take on Cousins’s salary in the process.

My guess? It doesn’t happen and Cousins is eventually released or cheaply traded and Cleveland picks him up.

Cousins isn’t the long term answer, he is essentially the bridge quarterback to the eventual rookie that will take over in a year or two. Considering the options that are out there, who else could the Browns go after? Joe Flacco shouldn’t be an option, the tape last year proves that. Russell Wilson is more of a liability than anyone wants to admit and Aaron Rodgers is busy taking his time making a decision.

Cousins fell off during the second half of the season but it appeared that he was hurt, the arm strength looked worse and his processing seemed to be late but before the injury Cousins was playing well. Familiarity with Stefanski, and you have your potential QB1 for Week 1.

QB2: Jalen Milroe

Controversial to some, if I had to guess, the chances that the Browns draft a quarterback with the second overall pick are low (based on what I have heard and reading the tea leaves). However, it shouldn’t stop the team from picking a signal caller.

Enter Jalen Milroe.

Milroe is a project. He has all the physical tools you like but he needs to fix his accuracy and improve his decision-making. Those are the main two issues he needs to fix, as well as his processing. Milroe’s stock improved during the combine and it appears he is trending up at the right time. He’s not someone Cleveland should draft second overall. If he’s available in the early 2nd round, Cleveland shouldn’t hesitate to take him.

Milroe will benefit from sitting for a year, and he will also be reunited with offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who was his coach during his time in Alabama.

QB3: Kenny Pickett/Taylor Elgersma

Everyone is familiar with Kenny Pickett, no need to revisit that. However, there is someone else that Cleveland could pursue.

If you haven’t heard of Laurier Taylor Elgersma, it can be for many reasons. For starters, he didn’t play college football in America instead he played in Canada for the Golden Hawks of Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada. Elgersma, who is 6’5 and 212 pounds. Watching his tape, the first thing that stands out is his arm talent.

Elgersma recently participated at the University of Buffalo’s pro day and he was already approached by one team. The buzz surrounding Elgersma is that his stock has risen enough that he could be selected in the late rounds of the draft or could be picked up as an undrafted free agent. Elgersma is someone that the Browns should look into, he won the Hec Crighton trophy as the best player in Canadian college football last year and he recently participated in the Senior Bowl.

If he’s available, the Browns should look into it.