Well, here they go again. The Cleveland Browns are in desperate need of a quarterback. However, their most serious needs still lie on the defensive side of the ball. If the Browns do go defense-heavy on the first day of the draft, what will become of the quarterback situation? While the top three of Deshaun Watson, Deshone Kizer, and Mitch Trubisky will likely be off the board by the end of the first day, the Browns still need to address their quarterback situation. So, the question is, “can Cleveland find a middle-round, high caliber quarterback in 2017?” It’s an interesting question, and one to which many NFL Draft scouts are saying yes. Enter California Golden Bears quarterback and Senior Bowl MVP, Davis Webb.
Why The Cleveland Browns Should Draft Davis Webb
Physically Imposing
Currently measuring in at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Davis Webb makes incredibly good use of his physical size. Webb’s prototypical size will make him very easy to work with, and he could be a good fit in nearly any NFL offense. The former Cal quarterback can shove defenders off to avoid sacks while staying poised and on his feet. Perhaps most importantly if he lands in Cleveland, he’ll be able to take pressure off of his offensive line. Scouts like Mel Kiper will probably refer to him as “sneaky athletic”, as the cliche goes.
Though he has a long windup, Webb’s arm is second to none in this draft class. His high, smooth delivery allows him to put throws wherever he pleases. Additionally, he has the ability to throw his receivers open. Webb can make pinpoint throws while unbalanced, or regain his platform in an instant. While his arm talent is still developing, it has the potential to reach an elite level if he can work out the small kinks in his game.
Mental Sharpness and Poise
Davis Webb has all the mental tools of a seasoned veteran quarterback. Not only does he have a good head on his shoulders off the field, but his football IQ is through the roof. Webb can read defenses quickly and efficiently both pre and post-snap. His first read is almost never his last one, and he has the ability to pass both smart and hard. Webb’s hand-eye coordination is fantastic, and his mechanics are all very sound.
The ability to throw off a defender is one that few NFL quarterbacks possess, but Davis Webb already has an incredible fake-out. Webb is a lot like a good pitcher in baseball; he can hit you with both an overpowering fastball and a deadly finesse pitch. Scouts speak strikingly highly of his effective pump fake, which has claimed many defenders during Webb’s college career. The ability to fake a defender is rare in football, and Webb already has it down to a science.
Senior Bowl MVP
The Browns were invited to coach the South Team of the 2017 Senior Bowl. Though Deshaun Watson did not attend the event, it was likely that Hue Jackson would find a quarterback to fall in love with. Jackson’s experience with quarterbacks has given him a tremendous feel for high-caliber signal callers. Jackson was searching for a quarterback to develop and groom to a high level. And Davis Webb did most of the work for him.
At the end of the Senior Bowl, Webb was named MVP. Webb led Jackson’s South Team to a 16-15 win over the North Team. He completed 11 of 16 passes and threw for 165 yards in the victory. Davis proved himself worthy of the MVP award and virtually guaranteed himself a second-day draft spot. And this is no fluke. Last year’s Senior Bowl MVP? The NFL’s 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Dak Prescott.
Conclusion and Pro Comparison
Davis Webb is the middle-round quarterback of Hue Jackson’s dreams. Webb can learn easily, both physically and mentally. In addition, his arm talent and cerebral attributes put him ahead of the competition when it comes to NFL development. Webb will be really interesting to watch when he gets to play with NFL-level receivers, perhaps Terrelle Pryor and Corey Coleman. Browns fans can hope.
Webb, ironically, looks a lot like former California quarterback Jared Goff (but with a bigger arm). He’s a physically big kid with a lot of potential, but he’s going to need some development from coach Jackson. Is Webb worthy of the first overall pick? Definitely not. But looking back on it, maybe Goff wasn’t either. However, Webb is a diamond in the rough among this year’s premiere passers. And if the Browns want to go all out on defense on the first day of the draft, Webb will be right there for the taking. He’s an NFL Draft shopper’s dream; bang for your buck at its finest.
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