Niner Noise
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2018 NFL Draft: 5 teams with the biggest quarterback needs

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants puts on his helmet during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Giants 23-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants puts on his helmet during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Giants 23-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 10: New General Manager John Dorsey of the Cleveland Browns is seen with owner Jimmy Haslam before the game against the Green Bay Packers at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 10: New General Manager John Dorsey of the Cleveland Browns is seen with owner Jimmy Haslam before the game against the Green Bay Packers at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Cleveland Browns

First NFL Draft Pick — First

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns are in an enviable position in the NFL Draft.

At least in terms of draft picks, where they own two selections (Nos. 1 and 4) within the top five and three additional picks in Round 2. That’s not bad for a rebuilding team. Not bad at all.

The Browns made a trade for former Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor during the offseason, also sending away 2017 experimentee DeShone Kizer to the Green Bay Packers. Taylor is a nice stopgap option for Cleveland — a playoff starter, who has worked with an underachieving offense before.

Still, Taylor isn’t the future for Cleveland. And with those two top-four picks, one can bet general manager John Dorsey will grab a quarterback prospect early in Round 1.

The only question is who and with what pick?

A common thought is USC QB Sam Darnold will be the first player taken on April 26. This No. 1 overall selection ensures the Browns get to pick whichever prospect, quarterback or otherwise, they feel best impacts the team. Should they wait, instead grabbing a QB at No. 4, there’s still going to be a lot of top-level talent available.

Either way, Cleveland is in a great position to be flexible. Dorsey can wait to see who falls, while grabbing the best non-QB prospect available.

Or he can simply grab the quarterback he wants right out of the gate. It’s a win-win situation.