Two of the Cleveland Browns quarterbacks are fresh faces and two return from a season ago. Baker Mayfield returns for his third year after becoming the first Browns quarterback to start all 16 games for the franchise since 2001. Case Keenum comes over from the Washington Redskins and will be on his fourth team in as many seasons. He figures to be a journeyman backup at this stage in his career.
Garrett Gilbert returns as the third quarterback. The former AAF star threw three passes in 2019, completing none of them. Kevin Davidson joins the Browns as an undrafted free agent from Princeton University. He’s looking to break into the NFL and with his size and respectable figures in 2019, he has the potential to make a roster.
The Cleveland Browns Quarterbacks of 2020
Baker Mayfield
Mayfield disappointed in 2019 but he still put up decent numbers, throwing for over 3,800 yards and 22 touchdowns. His completion percentage was low and he threw too many interceptions with 21, two stats he looks to improve in 2020.
However, Mayfield played behind a poor and often overwhelmed offensive line. The left tackle position was a carousel, and the right side flopped with poor performances from Chris Hubbard, who figures to be a backup in 2020. Right guard was also stagnant that saw Wyatt Teller receive the ultimate nod. His play was spotty, at best.
Mayfield often scrambled to evade a relentless pass rush. He threw before he was ready and forced the ball into coverage to keep the Browns alive in games. Poor play calling from former coach Freddie Kitchens didn’t help Mayfield or the offense.
Despite the shortcomings, Mayfield was the first quarterback since 1999 to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals in the same season. He also became the first Browns quarterback since 1999 to throw for over 3,700 yards in back-to-back seasons.
The Browns took measures to improve their offensive line in 2020, signing right tackle Jack Conklin and drafting Jedrick Wills, who will play left tackle. They also drafted a bright, athletic, though undersized center in Nick Harris. They gave Mayfield two more targets in signing tight end Austin Hooper and drafting John Mackey Award winner Harrison Bryant. Trading for fullback Andy Janovich suggests the Browns will commit to the run more than they did in 2019.
With an improved line, an arsenal of weapons, and further commitment to the running game, expect to see the 2018 version of Baker Mayfield return.
Case Keenum
Keenum makes his fourth stop in four seasons, having been a member of the Minnesota Vikings (2017), Denver Broncos (2018), and Washington Redskins (2019). He’s a journeyman who brings eight years of experience to the Browns.
His success in the league has been modest since his breakout season in 2017 when he led the Vikings to the NFC Championship, but he’s excellent insurance for the Browns if Mayfield went down. He can spot start and string together powerful performances. He compares to Ryan Fitzpatrick, another journeyman with similar characteristics.
Keenum knows his role with the Browns. He’s a backup and will remain so unless Mayfield either flops or gets injured. At 32, the urge to start is still there, but the understanding of his role-player status is also there. He will serve as a high-end backup for the Browns who also possesses both starting and playoff experience.
Garrett Gilbert
Gilbert bounced around NFL practice squads until 2017 when he landed on the Carolina Panthers active roster. He lacks NFL experience, despite entering what will be his seventh season in the league, throwing a grand total of six passes in the NFL, completing two of them. He’s not exactly the second coming of Kurt Warner. But then again, few if any are.
To his defense, Gilbert played well in the now-defunct AAF, throwing for 2,152 yards and 13 touchdowns compared to just 3 interceptions. Had the AAF survived, he would’ve been one of their top players.
Gilbert will receive a hard look into becoming the number three quarterback again for the Browns while he served as the team’s primary backup.
Kevin Davidson
Davidson is perhaps the most intriguing prospect of the Cleveland Browns quarterbacks. His Ivy League background speaks volumes in an NFL quarterback room. It shows Davidson will grasp the mental side of the game, like reading and diagnosing blitz packages, complicated coverages, and most importantly, learning the playbook.
He’s a high IQ player with a lot of upside, including a 6’4, 225lb frame. What he lacks, though, is experience, having played in just 29 games and throwing 374 passes. However, he boasts a 65.8 completion percentage and he’s thrown only six interceptions compared to 25 career touchdown passes.
Davidson is a very, very raw prospect and he’ll compete for the third-string spot with Gilbert. Don’t be surprised to see the Browns hold on to Davidson, as his physical characteristics and high IQ are intriguing. He’ll likely find a place on the team’s practice squad if he doesn’t supplant Gilbert. Davidson’s potential speaks so don’t expect the Browns to let this potential gem in the rough walk.
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