If you had any doubt about the seriousness of the Browns' pursuit of a franchise quarterback, look no further than this.
Brian Hoyer is still very much in the fold as an option at the elusive spot that is so integral to NFL success, however, a report by Jason LaCanfora shows the precedence the Browns have put on finding a quarterback in this year's draft.
LaCanfora writes that the Browns have been eyeing this draft since the previous regime of Joe Banner. Here's how LaCanfora lays it out: Team president Alec Schiener came up with the idea to carry out a study, costing more than $100,000, which evaluated "decades of successful NFL quarterbacks and taking all sorts of variables into consideration." It included review of game action along with advanced metrics, and LaCanfora says the Browns organization takes analytics "very seriously."
The name that came out on top after thorough evaluation was Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater (who many pegged as a top pick before the season and the hoopla surrounding the combine and workouts).
It remains a real mystery where Bridgewater will be selected though many draft prognosticators have him falling to the end of the first round. That might put the Browns, who hold the No. 26 overall pick as a result of the Trent Richardson trade with the Colts, in position to snag him.
The Browns have ammunition to move up in the first round if they so desire and Bridgewater is a guy they feel is a can't-miss prospect.
