Browns exec explains why Cleveland passed on drafting Carson Wentz

The Cleveland Browns held the second overall pick in the 2016 draft before sending it to the Philadelphia Eagles for a boatload of picks. It was a matter of quantity over quality for the Browns, who are still in rebuilding mode after five-plus years of utterly disastrous drafts.

By moving down from No. 2, the Browns effectively passed on Carson Wentz, the second pick in the draft by the Eagles. Cleveland could have easily stayed put and taken Wentz, solidifying the quarterback position for years to come. Only, the Browns didn’t view the North Dakota State product that way.

In a July article that just came to light this week, Paul DePodesta told ESPN’s Tony Grossi that they didn’t exactly see Wentz developing into a top-20 quarterback.

The Browns, who have started more quarterbacks in the last 20 years than any team in the NFL, could certainly use one of the 20 best quarterbacks. Instead, they have Robert Griffin III at the helm and Wentz will start for the Eagles when the two teams meet Sunday.

Obviously the Eagles view Wentz highly enough to be OK with trading Sam Bradford to the Vikings, so there’s little doubt he could have started for the Browns this season. Instead, they opted for a handful of picks over a shot at Wentz.

At the very least, the Browns did show discipline, which is a positive development given their terrible drafting and decisions of late. Still, the team with the most futile quarterback position looks somewhat foolish saying it turned down a potential franchise quarterback because there was a chance he wouldn’t be one of the 20 best.