Miami Hurricanes quarterback and Heisman contender Cam Ward has been performing at an exceptional level through six games this season. In stark contrast, Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns has struggled mightily. Cleveland is 1-5, and Watson ranks 31st in the NFL with a QBR of 21.7, failing to surpass 200 passing yards in any game this year. As bad as it looks on the surface, the situation is even worse for Cleveland on closer inspection. Watson is in the third year of his five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract, meaning the Browns are financially committed to paying him regardless of his performance, limiting their ability to find a replacement.
One potential solution, as highlighted by Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department on October 14, is for the Browns to draft a quarterback on a rookie deal to alleviate the financial burden of Watson’s contract. B/R mentioned that Cleveland could either make Watson the highest-paid backup in NFL history or release him with a post-June 1 designation next season. A rookie QB would give them flexibility, and Ward could be the answer. Leading the FBS with 2,219 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and a 182.4 passer efficiency rating, Ward is driving the Hurricanes to a 6-0 start and a 6th overall ranking. If the draft were today, the Browns would hold the No. 2 overall pick, behind only the New England Patriots.
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