Browns GM Dorsey Willing To Take Calls About No. 1 Pick
By MICHAEL MAROT, AP Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — John Dorsey might make a deal for the top pick in this year's NFL draft — if the price is the right.
At the league's scouting combine on Thursday, the Cleveland Browns general manager took his sales pitch public.
"There are a lot of things we can do at No. 1 and not just get a quarterback," Dorsey said. "If someone wants to come up and make a trade, I'd make a trade, too. Just give me a call and see what's up."
Cleveland's constant quest to find the right quarterback has become perhaps the most-watched show in the league.
They've used 28 different starters since 1999, and it's unclear if they'll cast aside yet another youngster, DeShone Kizer, after he led the league in interceptions and went 0-15 as the starter.
Dorsey has the advantage of having watched Kizer perform in the final four games of 2017.
"What I really liked was how much he improved from week to week," Dorsey said. "I think I've told you that a young quarterback usually makes exponential growth from Year 1 to Year 2."
Back home, anxious fans are still clamoring to find that elusive franchise quarterback.
They're frustrated after watching Cleveland whiff on Johnny Manziel in 2015, trade the No. 2 pick to Philadelphia in 2016 that allowed the Eagles to choose Carson Wentz and pass last year on Deshaun Watson. Instead, they took Kizer in the second round.
And with a deep quarterback class and two of the top four picks in April, some think this could finally be the time. Dorsey might not see it the same way.
After acknowledging the Browns interviewed an unnamed quarterback on Wednesday night and intend to meet all of the big names before the bulk of the combine work wraps up Sunday, he dropped no hints about what the Browns might do with either pick.
Instead, he's looking for long-term solutions.
Coach Hue Jackson, who is 1-31 over the last two seasons, certainly isn't advocating for more change.
"I would hope not," Jackson said when asked Wednesday if he intends to start a rookie QB. "There's going to be other opportunities as we all know. We've just got to see how it all fits as we move forward."
Finding a veteran quarterback in free agency, such as AJ McCarron, remains a possibility, too.
But if a quarterback-needy team is willing to make a quality offer, Dorsey could spend all of those precious picks on putting a better supporting cast around Kizer.
Dorsey also didn't provide an update on the status of longtime left tackle Joe Thomas. After playing more than 10,000 consecutive snaps, Thomas ended the season on injured reserve with a torn left triceps and has been pondering retirement.
"I have greatly admired Joe from his time at Wisconsin through his time with the Browns," Dorsey said. "I think he deserves a little respect and when it comes time to make the proper decision, I'm sure he'll make it."
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