Drafts always have surprises. There was some thinking during the 2015 season that Connor Cook of Michigan State would be the top quarterback available. Then there was thinking that Cook would be the Browns' choice at the top of the second round, 32nd overall. Cook did not go in the first three rounds, but Cody Kessler of USC did. Kessler was the Browns' third selection in the third round. He doesn't have a strong arm; his strength is awareness and reading defenses. He joins a Browns fivesome at quarterback that includes Robert Griffin III, Josh McCown, Connor Shaw and Austin Davis.
My take: The Browns' first round started with speed and excitement. The second day included three linemen and a quarterback who doesn't exactly set off fireworks. Kessler's selection pretty much verifies that the quarterback job is Griffin's to lose. There is no immediate threat to him starting -- unless it comes from McCown, and he seems to be in Browns limbo. The Browns are casting their lot with Griffin and depending on Hue Jackson to revive him. Kessler had some nice numbers at USC, but he does not project as a rookie starter. The bottom line: A team that could have taken Carson Wentz second wound up with Cody Kessler 93rd.
The coach begs to differ: Hue Jackson was uber-excited about Kessler. The coach gushed about him while still acknowledging that he understood any skepticism and questions about the choice of Kessler. Jackson called Kessler "one of the most accurate passers in college football." He said he played in "a pro style game." He said he has "pinpoint accuracy" and a tremendous touchdown-to-interception ratio. "He's everything that I think you look for in a quarterback," Jackson said. The coach said the most important attribute for a quarterback is accuracy; Kessler said he has always prided himself on his accuracy. Kessler visited the Browns and spent a lot of time in a one-on-one interview with Jackson, which left the coach impressed. "I understand where everybody's coming from," Jackson said. "You gotta trust me on this one."
By the numbers: Kessler completed 67.5 percent as a three-year starter for USC, with 88 touchdowns and just 19 interceptions. He's 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds. In his career he threw for 10,339 yards. He also played in an NFL-style offense with several different USC coaches. Most draft analysts projected him as a career -- though quality -- backup.
Drafting quarterbacks: ESPN Stats & Information reports this tidbit: Kessler is the seventh quarterback drafted by the Browns in the first three rounds since 1999, most in the NFL during that time.
What's next: The Browns continue to fill their basket of draft picks to overflowing, as they will have seven more picks, including the first two picks of the fourth round.