CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
As the 2022 NFL offseason gets underway, the Cleveland Browns' primary objective has become clear: to fix a stagnant passing game that was arguably the chief reason the Browns didn't live up to their expectations in 2021.
But while most of the mock drafts to this point have pegged Cleveland to address its passing problems by selecting a wide receiver with the No. 13 pick, it's possible the Browns could implement another strategy come draft night. In particular, Cleveland could be a sneaky candidate to use its first-round pick on a quarterback come April 28.
Publicly, the Browns have remained committed to Baker Mayfield as their starting signal-caller, but most analysts seem to agree that won't stop Cleveland from considering alternatives. And although most of that focus has been put on veterans who might become available in the weeks ahead, the Browns have already used their time at the Senior Bowl to get to know some of the draft's top quarterbacks.
While this year's class of quarterbacks isn't considered to be strong, this is the time of year when that sentiment could change. The NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis starts next week and will provide this year's crop of signal-callers to raise their stock.
Plus, Cleveland doesn't need to fall in love with this year's quarterback prospects -- just one. And there's already reason to think the Browns could be intrigued by the athleticism of Liberty's Malik Willis, the experience of Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett or the skill set of North Carolina's Sam Howell.
Currently, a consensus top quarterback in this year's class has yet to emerge, but that could change in the weeks ahead. Plus, the uncertain nature of this year's class could actually benefit Cleveland by making it more likely that its preferred prospect was available at 13.
As for why the Browns, who are currently in contention mode, would want to draft a rookie at the most important position, it's worth noting that having a quarterback on a rookie wage scale would be advantageous to Cleveland when it comes to constructing the rest of their roster. Mayfield, meanwhile, is currently scheduled to make $18.8 million in the final year of his rookie contract in 2022, while upgrading with another veteran would likely cost even more in terms of draft capital and salary.
That's not to say that the Browns would use their first-round pick on a quarterback just for the sake of doing so and any selection of a signal-caller would likely be contingent on Cleveland believing the player could immediately play well enough to win in 2022.
At this point, this year's class of quarterbacks, much like the Browns' own situation at the position, is muddled. The coming weeks should provide clarity -- and perhaps a simultaneous answer -- to both.