Twelve days. Just twelve more days until the NFL Draft‒the time when a franchise could change its course, for better or worse. So, who’s going to be that guy for the Browns this year? Could it be an Abdul Carter, a Shadeur Sanders, or a Travis Hunter? What about none of these? How about Ohio State’s finest, Will Howard?
No, I’m not saying that Howard is the exact missing piece to the equation for the Browns or that the Browns should draft him #2 overall. Just walk with me here.
Howard as a Prospect
This kid is a proven winner who has all the tools to be great as a pro. Physically, Howard stands at 6’5 with impressive in-game mobility for his frame. Howard also showed exponential growth throughout his career. He started at Kansas State as a backup before being elevated to a starting role in which he led the Wildcats to a Big XII championship. Then, at Ohio State, he again followed through and won a national championship for the great state of Ohio.
What stands out most to me in evaluating Howard is his focused personality and leadership. Just take five minutes to watch how he handles John Gruden’s QB class. Throughout the class, he answers Gruden’s high-pressure questions and situational drills with the utmost poise and confidence. It’s clear as day that the intangibles of being a starting quarterback in the NFL are there.
No, he didn’t have the greatest combine, but the circumstances for the combine are strange. It’s an event that features a group of strangers in drills where chemistry is everything. The combine is far from the most important thing for a quarterback. Take Purdy and Brady, for example—both overlooked in the pre-draft process, yet they’ve thrived. Meanwhile, athletic standouts like Anthony Richardson and Zach Wilson show that raw talent doesn’t always translate to success.
Why it Makes Sense
This is a Browns team that is desperate to completely forget the nightmare that is Deshaun Watson. Nobody in Cleveland wants to see Watson start another game in the Orange and Brown, let alone a full season. In a draft weak at the quarterback position, however, it may be a reach to take someone like Sanders with the #2 overall pick in the draft. This means that the Browns could get the best overall player available, whether they think that is Carter, Hunter, or another mystery player in the first round. Then, in the later rounds, they can pick Howard and see if he can continue his winning ways at the next level.
I’m not claiming Will Howard is the savior of the Cleveland Browns, but he brings the tools, leadership and professionalism the franchise has long lacked at quarterback. If he is available in the middle rounds, the Browns might take a shot on the Ohio State legend and it just might pay dividends.
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