Round one of the 2022 NFL Draft presented an unusual set of circumstances for the Cleveland Browns fans. Their perennial search for an answer at the quarterback position is not taking center stage. Instead it is other teams wading the waters of a draft class that is considered weak with a very down quarterback class. While hyperbole is the word used to describe this pattern year in and year out, it is quite accurate this time around. There is not a surefire quarterback going first overall as the Jacksonville Jaguars opted for defensive help in Travon Walker. As Kenny Pickett has been selected and Malik Willis is still waiting for his name to be called one thing is for certain, Cleveland will not be making the call this year.
The Browns instead made the trade to acquire Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans in a blockbluster move which essentially will be their first round selection for the next three years. Watson is the franchise quarterback this team has been searching for since 1999. Ironically enough the pick used to select Watson in 2017 by Houston belonged to Cleveland before they traded down for a second time in that draft. Eventually the Browns were able to get the player they should have drafted a few years prior, it just cost three times as much and then some with later picks involved.
With no first round pressure, fans can sit back and enjoy the draft as a whole. There is no nerves to be had and Browns fans can put their trust in Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski to supplement their roster with veteran free agents and their selections beginning in round two.
