Brandon

Weeden

Several sources tell LaCanfora the Browns are “monitoring Tannehill closely and have favorable scouting reports” on the QB. The report doesn’t tell us much more than was already assumed. With four weeks to decide whether to pull the trigger on Tannehill, the Browns have no reason to show other teams anything other than serious interest. For what it’s worth, ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi believes the Browns are still “leaning against” drafting Tannehill or Brandon Weeden.

Cosell concedes that Weeden gets into trouble in a muddied pocket, however, and is “not very good in the eye of the storm.” Weeden rarely faced high-pressure situations in a Big 12 conference virtually devoid of pass rush behind an Oklahoma State offensive line long on talent. Weeden will likely be drafted in the second round, but his performance under pressure is a red flag.

“We’ve added three (offensive) players and we expect them to compete to start and contribute what we hope to be immediately,” Shurmur said after the conclusion of the third round on Friday. He also remained noncommittal on Colt McCoy’s future with the team. “We’ve drafted a quarterback to come in and compete with him ... and that’s where it’s at.” On the off chance McCoy remains in Cleveland, any “competition” will be rigged in Weeden’s favor.

Wallace is taking a different tact this year after saying last summer that he’d rather compete with than mentor Colt McCoy. “I know my job going into my 10th season of being in this offense is to prepare Brandon Weeden to get him right and make sure he’s ready to go for day one,” Wallace said. “This is a different beast. This is a first-rounder.”

The hypothetical deal would be with New England, and it should be noted that the Boston Globe proposed this exact trade in its final mock draft Thursday morning. Belichick is usually looking to trade down, and securing Weeden at No. 31 after drafting Trent Richardson at No. 4 and a receiver at No. 22 would allow Cleveland to upgrade its offense quickly and potentially immensely.

So much for Cleveland expecting Colt McCoy to “make a big leap this year.” This pick may be labeled a reach, but it’s arguable Weeden would have been considered a top-15 prospect if not for his advanced age, and the Browns clearly thought he wouldn’t fall to them at No. 37. Cleveland is wisely moving on at the game’s most-important position instead of gambling the weak-armed McCoy will somehow turn the corner as a third-year pro. Prototypically sized for a quarterback at 6-foot-4, 221, Weeden boasts a big arm, and will be a strong contender to start in Week 1. Paired with No. 3 pick Trent Richardson, he should help lead what will be an improved Browns offense. With second-year pro Greg Little as his No. 1 receiver, however, Weeden won’t be a recommended option in redraft leagues. McCoy could be traded or released.

His non-statement is notable for not being even more vague. Although he’ll likely say so later, Heckert passed up an opportunity to claim Weeden will have to “earn” his job or beat out Colt McCoy. Cleveland wouldn’t have used a first-round pick on a 28-year-old quarterback if they didn’t plan on him starting right away. Weeden is the favorite to be under center in Week 1.

The Browns seem to have determined Weeden’s draft-day value, and it lies more at the top of the second round than in the mid to late first. Weeden should be on Cleveland’s radar with the 37th pick, but he won’t be going 22nd overall.

“There’s no question,” Shurmur said. "... He showed us in the first minicamp that he can throw the ball in this league, and now we’ll get a chance to see him interact with the team, the full squad, and see how he does.” Weeden’s real test will be when the bullets start flying in preseason and regular season action. He tended to struggle when pressured at Oklahoma State.

Weeden fumbled two snaps at Browns rookie minicamp on Friday. The vast majority of Weeden’s college snaps came in shotgun, but the 28-year-old rookie still insists he is “really comfortable” under center. “I like being under center more because you can see what’s going on and you get the ball immediately,” he said. Weeden should get the handle on under-center snaps by training camp.