Cleveland Browns Rumors: Team May Already Be Looking For Johnny Manziel’s Replacement In 2016 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns have now made Johnny Manziel their starting quarterback due to the concussion injury of Josh McCown. The second-year phenom is dealing with tendinitis in his right elbow and it might hinder him from jumping out and proving he’s a worthy franchise quarterback. With that, some rumors are already flying around that the Browns could look at taking Ohio State’s Cardale Jones in the 2016 NFL Draft.

HNGN knows that McCown is not the ideal franchise quarterback for any NFL team. Johnny Manziel has the possibility of being one, but it’s just hard to see it. Sure, it’s only the beginning of his second professional season, but he’s going to have to show something soon.

No one wants to see him go the route of JaMarcus Russell or Ryan Leaf or Terrelle Pryor. The thing is, it’s not looking too positive just yet, but he has the chance to change that perception and make people (the Browns) see he can be a franchise quarterback.

Walter Football has released their way-too-early mock draft for the 2016 NFL Draft, and they’ve got the Cleveland Browns picking first. They also have them taking quarterback Cardale Jones from Ohio State University.

They believe that McCown is not going to help the Browns much when he returns from injury. Even then, he may not get back in due to Manziel and if he is playing well. With that, it’s not believed that Manziel will be enough to lead the Browns to greatness either.

That is where Cardale Jones comes in.

“Of the top quarterback prospects for the 2016 NFL Draft, the redshirt junior Jones had the most impressive performance in Week 1. He made some devastating throws that illustrated his natural passing skills. Aside from his right-arm cannon, Jones also showed his running ability and how difficult he is to sack with his huge size. In 2015 Jones has completed 22-of-37 passes for 298 yards for two touchdowns and one interception.”

“Jones put on a display in 2014 after entering the starting lineup behind Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Jones has great size and a cannon for an arm. In his three starts, he completed 61 percent of his passes for 860 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Jones has a ton of upside, and could be a tremendous play-maker if he improves his football I.Q. and field vision.”

Cardale Jones is different than the almost countless quarterbacks the team has tried out over the past decade. It’s not like the Browns have had much success in the draft at all for that matter, but Johnson would pair nicely with running backs Isaiah Crowell (second-year) and Duke Johnson (rookie).

No one likes to see injuries happen to anyone, but Josh McCown’s concussion is Johnny Manziel‘s opportunity to prove he has what it takes to lead the Cleveland Browns as their quarterback. If he doesn’t want them looking at Cardale Jones in next year’s draft, then this is his time to shine.

[Image via Getty Images – Andy Lyons]