#HeyTony: Is Jaxson Dart a viable QB target for the Browns?

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.

Hey Tony: Would taking Jaxson Dart at #2 be a huge reach if he is the QB that the Browns really want? Avoiding the chance of losing him later in the first round?

-- Greg, Straitsville, OH

Hey Greg: I’m a big fan of Dart, but, yes, taking him at No. 2 would be a huge reach, in my opinion. Maybe he will emerge after interviews, workouts, visits, etc., as worthy of that high of a pick. But I don’t think so.

Hey Tony: Do you think Jaxson Dart is way ahead of Will Howard in the QB ranking order and is it a possibility Dart is there at #33?

-- Jason, Coshocton, OH

Hey Jason: I do think Dart is way ahead of Howard, by about two rounds of the draft. I do not believe Dart will be available at No. 33.

Hey Tony: I know this is just our Cleveland luck that we have high draft picks in a draft weak on top tier QBs. What position groups are actually strong in this draft, or is it just a historically weak draft all around? 

-- AJ, Avon, OH

Hey AJ: This draft is strong at defensive end, defensive tackle, running back and tight end. The Browns have needs at each of those positions, so I think the draft sets up well for the Browns, except at the quarterback position.

Hey Tony: I’m seeing mock drafts with Shedeur Sanders in the late first or even completely out of the first round. What changed for him to be dropping?

-- John, Rocky River, OH

Hey John: Sanders believes he will go in the top three. I think that will happen, also. At worst, he won’t last past No. 6. There is a lot of noise at this point in the draft process. Ignore it if you can.

Hey Tony: What's your thoughts on Will Howard?

-- Nick, Barberton, OH

Hey Nick: I know he had a rough day throwing at the Combine. I’d expect him to do much better at the Ohio State pro day and in individual workouts. I’ve heard his draft range to be in the third or fourth round. I’m not sure he is considered a potential starting NFL QB or a career backup. His body of work in one year at OSU would seem to merit a better outlook.

Hey Tony: If you were Browns GM, what would be your ultimate “win now” pitch to Myles Garrett to convince him to stay?

-- Caleb, Fort Mill, SC

Hey Caleb: Honestly, I wouldn’t try to convince Garrett to change his mind. He put a lot of thought into it and made his request after several meetings with Browns management. I’m of the belief that the Browns should seek the best deal for Garrett and move forward. They need to get younger and he is the one player who can bring the most in return.

Hey Tony: What could Andrew Berry have possibly said to convince Myles to stay in Cleveland? 

-- Joe, Macedonia, OH

Hey Joe: Berry had to explain the exit strategy from the Watson era. The Watson deal/contract was unique. With it came unique obstacles if it did not work out. The fact is, it will take three years for the Browns to fully recover from it. The first step is to draft a quarterback – be right -- and hope that by 2027 he is starting and winning games. By then, Garrett will be 32. Obviously, he doesn’t want to wait for that plan to come to fruition.

Hey Tony: How are they going to address the line? All of the QB talk but nothing about the trenches. Tackle trouble last year, repeated this year? 

-- Joe, Camden, OH

Hey Joe: I believe the strength of the team still is the offensive line. The change in schemes last year was a disaster. Now, they’re moving back to the Bill Callahan wide-zone blocking scheme. That will have a bigger impact than any additions in personnel on the line. Left tackle is question, for sure. They’ll figure it out. The other four positions are in good shape for now, if Joel Bitonio returns, as I expect.

Hey Tony: At the Combine, did you see anyone that may be a 'steal' in this draft and, if yes, who and what round?

-- Sam, Columbus, OH

Hey Sam: I can’t give you a good answer. One player I would keep an eye on is Harold Fannin, the tight end from Bowling Green. If the Browns could nab him in the fourth round, that would be a steal.

Hey Tony: There's a lot of talk about how deep the linebackers are in this draft. Is there any chance Andrew Berry picks one before the 5th round?

-- Brad, Strongsville, OH

Hey Brad: Honestly, I don’t understand the Browns’ philosophy about the linebacker position beyond the fact they value it after defensive line and the secondary. With the future of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah uncertain, at best, the linebacker position seems to be at a crossroads.

Hey Tony: We know Haslam influenced the decision to take Manziel in 2014 and tipped the scale on the Watson trade. Do you think he will overrule Andrew Berry and make the call at #2?

-- Cory, Columbus, OH

Hey Cory: I don’t think that will happen. I would rather hope Haslam instructs Berry to go ahead and make the best deal for Garrett. That’s a legit ownership call because of the stature Garrett has as the best player on the team.

Hey Tony: What can a Browns fan look forward to during the 2025 season except a fired coach and GM?

-- Tim, Westlake, OH

Hey Tim: The Browns do have the opportunity to turn things around. But they have to come to grips with the realization that a trade of Garrett is a major part of a turnaround. It can be done in two years with the right moves.

Hey Tony: Does Cleveland have the infrastructure to successfully host the NFL combine or draft?

-- Tony, Tucson AZ

Hey Tony: They just hosted the draft a few years ago. Hosting a Combine is not in the cards. If the Haslam Sports Group is successful in constructing a covered stadium project in Brook Park, a Super Bowl in the future is not out totally of the question if hotel development expands.

Hey Tony: Do the Browns trade back with the 1st pick in the 2nd round to snatch another 1st next year?

-- Alan, Saint Augustine Beach, FL

Hey Alan: I am not in favor of doing that.