Welcome back to the padded cell, everybody! With this being draft week, everyone has their own set of questions concerning what’s likely to happen on Draft Night and the days shortly following; so I thought it appropriate to field questions from the usual collection of characters and suspects. With that said, let’s get the party started.

Sean asks this question via facebook: “Do you think it offers any advantage not knowing or having a hint at what the Browns will do this year?”

Keeping your opposition (in this case, the other 31 teams in the league) in the dark does have its advantages, but only if the selections you make pan out. Last year, GM Ray Farmer kept everyone in the dark – including the fans and the electronic media – and look where his two picks in the first round got him.

DawgStyle has the next question: “With so many questions at QB heading into the 2015 season, do you think the Browns should draft another QB this year and if so, whom?”

It appears to me that the off-season moves the Browns have made were designed with the intent of bringing along a young quarterback gradually. Whether that young quarterback is Johnny Manziel, Connor Shaw or one they draft this year is anyone’s guess. While I’m not totally convinced that Oregon’s Marcus Mariota is a franchise caliber QB right now, I’m certain beyond the shadow of a doubt that his character and work ethic are beyond reproach. Since the Browns are slotted twelfth and nineteenth, they’d have to package some picks to get up to where they can make a play for Mariota. Once He and Jameis Winston ore off the board, I suspect that (A) there won’t be another QB to come off the board until at least the third round or (B) some team will really reach for one, much like the way Minnesota did for Christian Ponder a few years ago. As for me, I would recommend that the Browns draft a developmental project after the third round. That way they could probably keep him on the practice squad for the entire 2015-2016 season. Now, the question is, “Whom should they select?” I would be content with Sean Mannion of Oregon State, Mark Myers of John Carroll or South Alabama’s Brandon Bridge. Of those three, I think I would prefer Mark Myers. None of these players would pose an immediate threat to Josh McCown, Johnny or even Thaddeus Lewis; but may be able to do so after a year or two. If the Browns are targeting one in the third round, then Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson seems a likely candidate because he’s already run a pro style offense and has what appears to be a good skill set.

Runyon27 is next with: “Do you favor any scenario trading for Mariota or Bradford? If so, what would be the most the Browns should give up in such a trade?”

I cannot possibly imagine any trade scenario for Sam Bradford that I would favor because of his injury history and his salary cap number. As for Marcus Mariota, I think the Browns shouldn’t try to make a play for him until the fifth pick – which belongs to Washington. If he gets by Tennessee, neither Jacksonville nor Oakland will take him because they’ve already got their franchise quarterbacks in Blake Bortles and Derek Carr respectively. The Jets are certain to take Mariota if he slides to sixth, so the Browns would need to trade up ahead of them. I would be willing (albeit reluctantly) to give up 12 and 43 this year plus a third round selection next year. Anything beyond that out of my pocket and I’m demanding for something additional in return from the Skins. The Browns are not in a position where they can afford to give up multiple first round picks on a quarterback that is not the next Andrew Luck.

Next up with Syd with: “Do we use our first two picks for our D-line and O-line and draft a WR in the 2nd round or should we reverse those picks?”

A lot of draft pundits have the three top receivers already off the board by the time the Browns are on the clock. I also agree with them. If that scenario comes to fruition, then I would look for the Browns to take Washington DT Danny Shelton at #12 and Florida State OC Cameron Erving at #19. If they were to take a receiver at #43, then either USC’s Nelson Agholor or Ohio State’s Devin Smith would be a nice fit for Cleveland. I don’t believe all the talk about Central Florida’s Breshad Perriman being a top ten candidate, unless Oakland pulls a Darius Heyward-Bay type of move. He’s fast to be sure, but he’s got feet for hands; and all that makes him is a track guy who can’t catch the football consistently and will drive his coaching staff nuts because of it.

Zombie Glocker chimes in with this: “Does it make sense to draft a QB in Mariota who needs a year in order to learn an NFL offense, or would it make sense for us to select BPA at 12 and 19, and then select a more pro ready QB from next year’s draft class, who would be able to end up starting for the ’16 season like Mariota?”

Sometime before I die the Browns need to get it right at the quarterback position. As I’ve already insinuated, there’s only so much that I’d be willing to give up for Mariota. Considering the other holes on the Browns’ roster, I think it would be more beneficial for Cleveland to use the picks they already have to fill holes at other positions with the best talent available and then pick a developmental quarterback in one of the latter rounds that they can place on the practice squad. There’s not a quarterback in next year’s draft that would be an instant starter from day one – not even Cardale Jones.

The incomparable Shooter brings a multiplicity of questions that I’ll try to address individually: “What is Ray Farmer’s philosophy on best player available vs. team need and how do you think that will translate to the war room?”

I don’t know for certain, but I would hope that Ray Farmer’s philosophy is to always grab the highest rated player available – regardless of position. The intended result would be that the overall talent level of the roster would be increased with stiff competition at every position. Any organization that’s successful knows how to correctly set up their draft board and sticks to it. The one’s that aren’t will often delineate from the board and reach for a player in a position of need – even if their board is well set.

“In what way will the QB position be addressed in this year’s draft?”

Jameis Winston is going first overall to Tampa Bay, so he’s already off the table. I’m not sure, but I suspect that Marcus Mariota will be off the board before the Browns can package something that they’re comfortable giving up in order to select him. Thus, I think they’ll draft a prospect in one of the lower rounds to develop via the practice squad. As crazy as this may sound, it’s totally plausible that Cleveland will use their picks to fortify the roster in other areas and not even draft a quarterback this year. If Tennessee keeps the second overall pick and doesn’t select Mariota, then all bets are off.

“Teams like Tampa Bay and Baltimore have in the past won Super Bowls, and the Raiders have gotten there with what can best be described as “old journeymen QB’s” complimented with a stout defense and running the football. With a defense that came into its own in many ways last year, is it in the best interests of the Browns to try and mimic this plan of attack and bolster the Defense while eschewing the todays NFL “franchise QB” by focusing primarily on that side and setting our defense up to be in absolute elite position?”

That seems to be the plan of action for this regime until they can get the quarterback position right for the long term. I also think that they’re secretly hoping for Johnny to have a turnaround of miraculous proportions so they won’t look like complete and incompetent fools in last year’s draft. If Johnny is indeed part of the Browns master plan, then it sounds like fool’s gold to me.

What bearing will John DeFillipo’s offense have on the upcoming season in respects to the way the team will try to utilize it in this year’s draft?

I honestly have no clue. However, it sounds like he’ll scheme and game plan in such a way to take advantage of whatever talent he’s given to work with. “What, in your opinion, is this team’s greatest need? Any position applies.”

Without question, it’s quarterback. Considering the roster as it’s currently structured, the one who emerges as the starter will be barely adequate at best. However, let me say this. If there’s not a franchise quarterback to be had when your team is on the clock, then the worst thing an organization can do is waste a high draft pick on that position because it can set you back five years or more.

“If the Browns were to trade up, what player do you feel they would be willing to do that for and why?”

Marcus Mariota is the only offensive player I can envision this franchise trading up for in the first round because Cleveland hasn’t had a franchise caliber quarterback since Bernie Kosar played his home games at Municipal Stadium. USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams is by far the best player in this draft, but I cannot envision even Ray Farmer and Mike Pettine moving up from twelfth to take him second or third overall. Now, if by some miracle he slides to fifth, then I could see something happen with Williams because he’s that good and he would fill a need along a defensive front that was dead last in the league against the run in 2014. The only negative is the possibility of what you could get at 12 (likely Danny Shelton) and 43 (possibly Benardrick McKinney) that would be a better combination than having Williams alone. From that standpoint, I can see where the Browns may balk at moving up for him.

Next on our list is Durakbane who chimes in with this: “With all the talk of Mariota, let’s throw a curve ball. How far up and how much would they be willing to give up to get Winston if Tampa does NOT take him at #1? (NOTE: I am not saying I am sold on Winston [or Mariota]. It just seems that if Winston is considered to be generally rated ahead of Mariota and the Browns are looking for a QB, there must be some sort of value set on getting Winston).

Personally, I wouldn’t touch Winston with a ten foot pole because of his conduct issues off the field. But then again, I don’t run an NFL franchise either. That said, you’re probably talking three first round picks or two firsts and a second rounder.

Next we have a question from The Dude who asks: “What are your thoughts on taking a linebacker in the first round of draft? Traditionally in the last 2 decades they have rarely worked out?”

I’m all for taking the highest rated player on the board regardless of position. As for the outside linebacker position, he would have to be a Lawrence Taylor type of player for me to take one in the first round – particularly high in the first. I don’t think that there are any Lawrence Taylors in this draft class, but I’ve been wrong before. Inside linebackers are seldom taken in the first. For whatever reason, that position doesn’t seem to be as highly valued – kind of like the way running backs have been devalued on offense.

“If Mariota is available with our first pick, do you take or do you wait? Big named QB’s can drop.”

If Marcus Mariota is still on the board when the Browns are on the clock at #12, then you have to take him. How many starting quarterbacks have the Browns had since 1999?

“What player is predicted to go late that you know is better than the prediction and would be valued with a mid 3rd round pick?”

I hope that I’m interpreting what you’re looking for in an answer. By late I’m assuming you mean a fifth round grade or lower, so that means anyone ranked 137 or beyond. While none of us really “knows” for sure, I certainly have my opinions on a number of players. Okay, I’ll give you three . . .

Charles Gaines – CB – Louisville

Ty Montgomery – WR – Stanford

Kaleb Ells – DT – Mississippi State

Conversely, there are players that I think will get drafted long before they should. Here are three that come to mind and why . . .

Breshad Perriman – WR – Central Florida: Fast receiver with feet for hands. His foot speed screams out as a Raiders kind of pick, but his hands are so inconsistent. Mel Kiper is one pundit that’s overvaluing Perriman because of his 40 time at Central Florida’s pro day. Here’s my reply to Mr. Kiper. What good is all that speed if you cannot catch the football consistently when it’s thrown his direction?

Devin Funchess – WR – That-School-Up-North: Big, tall receiver that has 2 x 4’s for hands and an overdeveloped sense of self-entitlement. I wouldn’t use anything more than a fourth rounder on him; and even then I’m leery of doing so. He’s a size match-up nightmare to be sure, but what good is that if he can’t be counted on to catch the football when it’s thrown to him?

Brett Hundley – QB – UCLA: Athletic QB with nice physical tools, but something’s lacking either between his ears or in his heart. This kid folds in big games. He’s not a closer. Coffee is for closers. Some team will reach and draft him in the second round. Hopefully, it won’t be the Browns.

They’re even asking me questions at my work. Brian in Cleveland asks: “If Marcus Mariota were to fall to the Browns at 12, do you take him and dangle him to the Eagles and Chip Kelly?”

Let me say for the record that Marcus Mariota will be selected somewhere in the top six of this draft; not necessarily because I think he’s a franchise caliber quarterback right now, but rather because he has the tangibles and some intangibles to become a franchise caliber quarterback in two years. That said; if (by some miracle) he does fall to the Browns at #12, then the Browns need to take Mariota and develop him for themselves. Forget dangling him to the Eagles, or any other team for that matter. Cleveland needs a franchise caliber quarterback. Philadelphia is the only place where Mariota could start from day one because he already knows the system. By suggesting that the Browns dangle him in front of Chip Kelly, you’re insinuating that the Browns should make a play for Sam Bradford as part of the deal. As I’ve already stated, I cannot possibly imagine any trade scenario for Bradford that I would favor because of his injury history and his salary cap number.

Ice from sunny Florida comes in with: “Charlie Casserly stated on the NFL Network that there are only two quarterbacks worth a shot at starting in this draft and the rest are just back-ups at best. Do you agree?”

That pretty much seems to be the consensus from all the pundits, not just Charlie Casserly. The rest are pretty much developmental projects and a number of them will be drafted prematurely; so yes, I pretty much agree with Charlie.

Our final question comes from Brandon in Cleveland, who writes: “There has been no talk of the Browns trading down in the draft with either of their first round picks. What are the real possibilities of this scenario and what do you think it would be?”

I’m so glad you asked that question. I can more readily see Cleveland moving down from nineteen to somewhere in the mid-twenties, which would get them either a third round pick this year or a second rounder next year. Now if they were to trade down from twelfth to either seventeen or eighteen, then I think a second rounder this year or a first rounder next year would be in order.

Maybe I should have subtitled this pre-draft edition, “Much Ado About Marcus Mariota” because many of the questions I received involve him or the quarterback position in general. There are good reasons for all the speculation. Quarterback is the most important position on the football field and the Browns don’t have a franchise caliber quarterback on their roster. Combine that knowledge with the fact that the Browns have two picks in the first round, four of the top 77 and six of the top 115; and they’re the team with the most ammunition to trade up with. Trying to figure out what any one team (much less 32 teams) will do in the first round is like trying to put a giant jigsaw puzzle together where the pieces are all the same solid color. You have to put all the pieces together just the right way in order to get the desired results. What gets overlooked consistently is that there are six more rounds to the draft after the first night, and those rounds can be just as important to a team with multiple holes to fill.

I want to thank all of our participants for their questions. I couldn’t have done this without your help. This is Bill Wunkle signing off from the padded cell. Have a good night, everybody!