Marcus Mariota trains with potential future Browns QB coach

Marcus Mariota has been working with Kevin O’Connell, who is heavily rumored to be announced as the next quarterbacks coach for the Cleveland Browns.

The Cleveland Browns appear to be interested in drafting another quarterback. That is what it appears to look like at this time. Kevin O’Connell, who is being strongly linked to the Browns quarterbacks coach position, is working with 2014 Heisman Trophy Award winner Marcus Mariota, one week ahead of this year’s NFL scouting combine.

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O’Connell, who was the same man that trained with Johnny Manziel ahead of last year’s draft, has not been confirmed for the position with Cleveland just yet. It is likely a strategic move done to avoid the restrictions enforced by the latest version of the league’s collective bargaining agreement that limits the amount of time team officials can spend with players in the off-season.

Mariota remains highly touted, despite recent questions regarding whether or not his game can translate to the next level. And while the Browns are not positioned in a high enough draft spot to realistically pick up the former University of Oregon standout, they have enough pieces to certainly trade up. Currently in possession of the 12th and 19th overall picks, Cleveland could make a play at a top 5 slot by trading away either both of those picks, or one with extra incentives in the form of cash and/or current roster players.

If they are serious about taking their third quarterback in the first round within the past four drafts, that is the likeliest of scenarios, as after Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, the options at QB become very slim.

There are certainly a few eyebrows to be raised by this strategy overall. First, and foremost, the Browns have never had any history of drafting a successful NFL quarterback, lest we need to bring up the following picture. Sorry, but it just has to be posted.

Next, the following question needs to be asked: Why Kevin O’Connell? One has to wonder if Manziel’s abysmal rookie campaign, both on and off the field, was due in part to the training he received from the future Browns quarterbacks coach. Is it really a good idea to have Mariota work with this guy if his most recent high profile client is currently in rehab? An even better question; why is he your future QB’s coach?

Even if things were to pan out correctly with O’Connell, the Browns still need to figure out a proper package for the Titans, Jaguars, Raiders, or Redskins. If they do not, the New York Jets are likely to select Mariota with the sixth overall selection. There is also the chance that Chip Kelly is successful is trading up to snag his former recruit at Oregon. Should it come to that, Cleveland might be best suited drafting an offensive lineman; perhaps two since “Johnny Football” would likely benefit from some extra time to breathe under center.

H/T Pro Football Talk via NBC Sports

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