Before Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Baker Mayfield allegedly had some type of falling out during their final season together, they guided the 2020 Browns to the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2002 and first playoff victory since the 1994 season.
For a piece published on Wednesday, ESPN analyst Ben Solak shared how Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart could positively follow in Mayfield’s footsteps while playing in Stefanski’s offense, assuming the Browns land Dart during the upcoming draft.
“Dart can be good on the movement series and has the deep touch to hit play-action shots off heavy sets,” Solak explained. “He excelled throwing the back-shoulder ball in college, although Cleveland doesn’t have a great isolation receiver right now (even if it takes Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter at No. 2, it wouldn’t want to use a player with his skill set as a back-shoulder specialist). Maybe that’s another draft target, or maybe that’s the role for (receiver) Cedric Tillman to grow into in his third season.”
Recent reports have indicated the Browns are more likely to trade the draft’s second pick than use it to grab Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Even if Cleveland stays at No. 2 and takes Hunter, Solak noted that the club possesses nine picks beyond Round 1 that could be sold to move back into the first round to select Dart.
That’s important to note considering ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. is among those who believe the Los Angeles Rams could draft Dart if the signal-caller falls to pick No. 26. Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand and team reporter Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer have suggested the club can’t bank on getting a desirable project quarterback such as Dart, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe or Louisville’s Tyler Shough at choice No. 33.
“Dart’s ceiling as an NFL starter is likely limited,” Solak acknowledged. “He doesn’t have elite size, arm talent or movement skills; he’s acceptable but not thrilling in all three categories. He reminds me a little of (Minnesota Vikings quarterback) J.J. McCarthy in that way, and McCarthy was the 10th overall pick, albeit with much more collegiate success. So Dart at No. 33 is a worthy swing for a desperate team.”
The Browns certainly are desperate, coming off the debacle that was their Deshaun Watson era, and they could sit Dart behind offseason acquisition Kenny Pickett for at least a portion of the 2025 season. As much as Dart may be a good fit for Stefanski’s offense, there’s no guarantee Stefanski will be in his job next spring if Cleveland endures another losing campaign.
