Cam Newton? Dorian Thompson-Robinson? Exploring the Current Browns Quarterback Conversations
The success of the 2023 Cleveland Browns season hinges on the success of Deshaun Watson and the organization has put together a solid group at the position, the door hasn't been closed on potentially changing the makeup of the room.
The Browns have invited multiple quarterback prospects for visits ahead of this year's draft, which does indicate the team has some level of interest in these prospects. Meanwhile, Cam Newton has inserted himself into the conversation. After participating in Auburn's Pro Day, the 2011 top overall pick and 2015 league MVP declared that Watson was his top choice to back up.
Let's start with Newton. One of the arguments against Newton as a backup quarterback has been this idea that he was so charismatic, his oeuvre would divide a locker room as players decide they want him to be on the field. If players on the Browns can't figure out who the starter, that's certainly not a Cam Newton problem.
The problem for Newton is that was dreadful with the Carolina Panthers the last time he played for them in 2021. Newton posted career lows in completion percentage (54.8 percent), yards per attempt (5.4) and interception rate. The 2021 Panthers were by no means an elite offense, but he looked like a shell of himself.
Additionally, the Browns have already signed Joshua Dobbs for that specific role when Newton was available. Dobbs is getting a $500,000 signing bonus and his $1.5 million salary is guaranteed, meaning the Browns have fully guaranteed the money for not one, but two quarterbacks on their roster.
The Browns could trade Dobbs in the event that Newton, Kellen Mond, the other quarterback on the roster or an incoming rookie were to outplay him. The organization might not love eating $500,000, but it might be worth it if they get a draft asset or player in return.
The two starts Dobbs had with the Tennessee Titans were arguably better than the last time Newton was on the field. He already knows the Browns offense too. Dobbs is also friends with Watson and is one of the biggest nerds in the NFL. Newton certainly has more playing experience. He's done it and done it at a high level. But there have been plenty of examples of backups who rarely ever saw the field, but proved valuable in that backup role. Gary Kubiak, Doug Pederson and Jim Sorgi come to mind with both Kubiak and Pederson becoming NFL head coaches. It's going to be difficult to find someone smarter than Dobbs and the preexisting relationship he has with Watson might be both the preference of both Watson as well as the team.
None of this takes into account how much money Newton wants to be a backup. That's still unknown at this point, but he's more likely to get more from a team that isn't as focused on winning now as much as the Browns. Newton says he'd be willing to go to one of the teams that drafts a rookie. He could also be great for a quarterback like Justin Fields with the Chicago Bears.
Newton could be valuable for a team. It just doesn't make much sense for that team to be the Browns.
The more interesting discussion revolves around the rookies the Browns have been talking to during the draft process. Dorian Thompson-Robinson's name stands out among the group. The UCLA signal caller has a good chance to be the highest drafted of the quarterbacks that are known to be meeting with the Browns ahead of the draft. It wouldn't be shocking to see him get drafted in the third or fourth round.
DTR has played a ton of football, appearing in a total of 50 games during his college career. He's got a strong arm, he's athletic and he's improved over the course of his career. If a team wants to take a chance on a quarterback that could potentially break out without expending premium draft assets, DTR's skill set and experience might offer the highest chance of success.
DTR is an intriguing fit for the Browns specifically because he's been running Chip Kelly's offense for five seasons at UCLA. When discussing the hire of senior offensive assistant Bill Musgrave, a coach with extensive experience both as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, Kevin Stefanski made a point to note his experience with Kelly when they were both with the Philadelphia Eagles.
As part of their effort to spread out their offense and utilize more receivers to maximize Watson, the Browns are going to employ concepts that DTR ran at UCLA. Just picking his brain could be useful in terms of coaching points or how he's looking at various situations. Through that lens, learning as much as possible about DTR looks prudent.
Could the Browns draft him with one of their top picks? Absolutely. Is it likely? Probably not.
It would be interesting if the Browns drafted a quarterback that has a rookie contract that runs parallel with Deshaun Watson's contract. The goal with Watson is to have him play for the Browns for more than just one contract. If Watson delivers as the team hopes, the Browns could take advantage of the low cost of a rookie contract and potentially trade DTR for draft assets at a later date.
In the unlikely scenario DTR were to go undrafted, the Browns might be developing a relationship to pave the way for him to sign in Cleveland as an a free agent. Leaving a positive impression could prove valuable, but the Browns are almost certainly working under the impression that DTR will be drafted, so if they want him, they will have to use a pick to get him.
The Browns get to learn more about DTR if they have to face him at some point down the road. But in the event DTR doesn't work out with the team that drafted him, the Browns could trade for him later or simply sign him as a free agent.
There's a pragmatic element to this as well. DTR is talking to the Browns, but he's also talking to individual coaches and front office personnel. People that could either be fired or promoted and end up working with any of the other 31 teams in the NFL. Even if DTR never plays for the Browns, he may cross paths with current members of the Browns organization in other locations.
In the case of Clayton Tune out of the University of Houston or Jake Haener from Fresno State, two other quarterbacks the Browns are reportedly meeting with ahead of the draft, there's a greater chance one or both of them could go undrafted. The Browns are doing research to determine their level of interest in these players, but there's undoubtedly an element of recruiting involved as well. Even if both are drafted, there is more player movement with lower round quarterbacks and they could be waived allowing the Browns to claim them if they feel inclined.
Given the state of the quarterback room, Cam Newton doesn't look like a fit with the Cleveland Browns, but it stands to reason the organization is going to add another quarterback, even if they end up with a passer they are just trying to get to the practice squad. As great as it would be for the Browns to somehow end up with Dorian Thompson-Robinson in that capacity, the more likely outcome has them end up with Jake Haener, Clayton Tune or another undrafted free agent.
