The Deshaun Watson trade has been disastrous for the Browns since they traded for him in 2022.
Missed games, injuries and inconsistent production plagued Watson's tenure in Cleveland. He's played just six games in each of the past two seasons — first in 2022 because of his 11-game suspension due to multiple sexual assault allegations, then in 2023 because of multiple shoulder injuries that culminated in season-ending surgery after Week 10.
And when he did play, Watson averaged just 184.8 passing yards, 1.2 touchdowns and a 59.82% completion rate per game.
Despite handing him a huge five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal in 2022, the Browns need to think about a legitimate backup option who could even replace Watson in the future if needed. This past season proved the team is good after Joe Flacco stepped in and went 4-1 as the starter. But the three other quarterbacks who started for Cleveland went a combined 2-4.
The Browns added two quality backups this offseason in Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round pick in 2023, is also still on the roster. Winston and Huntley are on one-year deals, though, while Thompson-Robinson is still a very raw prospect.
The 2024 NFL draft class is chock-full of quarterbacks Cleveland could target in the later rounds. While the Browns likely won't use their first pick at No. 54 on a quarterback, they could target these three passers later in the draft.
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
Rattler is probably the highest-rated quarterback prospect the Browns could conceivably take. He could go as early as the second or third round, meaning Cleveland would have to feel very comfortable about his ability to develop into a starter or backup behind Watson if they used one of their premium selections on him on Day 2 or Day 3.
The issues with Rattler, and why he fell out of favor at Oklahoma and could fall in the draft, are his decision-making and arm strength. Neither is elite, but he has the fundamentals to develop into a solid quarterback in a good offense. His fearlessness is a double-edged sword, but he is likely the best starting-caliber player Cleveland could find early in the draft.
Jordan Travis, Florida State
Travis would be a perfect developmental player with starting potential for Cleveland. He's coming off a season-ending ankle injury but should be cleared to start offseason workouts ahead of the 2024 season. Travis is a bit undersized at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds but showed great athleticism and ability to create plays out of structure.
If the Browns want someone who they feel comfortable sitting on the bench for a year or two and learning, Travis could be a great Day 3 pick. This would be a long-term play for Cleveland and not one that they should expect to pay dividends anytime soon.
Joe Milton III, Tennessee
Milton checks off the size and arm strength boxes as a quarterback. He's 6-foot-5, 235 pounds and can launch passes further than anyone in the class. Milton is solid in run-pass option plays as well.
The issue with Milton is his raw ability needs refinement. Ball placement and decision-making issues make his projection at the NFL difficult — which means he'd be a good option to ride the pine for Cleveland. He'd get to watch two elite throwers in Watson and Winston, although neither is the best decision-maker, either.
The Browns have met or plan to meet with Milton ahead of the draft, too. He would be another Day 3 pick the Browns could pick up with one of their later selections.
Would the Browns draft a QB?
The Browns already have four quarterbacks on the roster and likely won't keep more than three on their final 53. That makes a quarterback pick very unlikely in 2024. However, it's not out of the realm of possibility they take a young prospect after Cleveland's reported interest in Milton.
Winston, Huntley and Thompson-Robinson are all expendable options and only Winston provides a solid floor as a backup behind Watson or a spot-starter in case of injury. Drafting another young rookie early could given the Browns a long-term fallback plan, too.
