Browns Receiver Has Shocking Prediction For Team's Starting QB

The convoluted Cleveland Browns quarterback room has started to take form with training camp now a month away. Four new faces entered the fold this offseason after the Browns learned that Deshaun Watson suffered a significant setback in his recovery from an Achilles injury. 

Cleveland in response signed Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett during free agency before drafting both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in April. Watson could very well miss the entire 2925 season so the Browns have exercised all options here. 

Four is not an unusual number of quarterbacks to possess on a 90-man roster. What makes this situation more odd than others is the fact that none of the four have an exact spot on the depth chart penciled in. 

There are certainly expectations and early projections for what the totem pole will look like. Most have the wily veteran and fan favorite Flacco earning the starting job with Pickett and the two rookies behind him. 

However, new Browns receiver Diontae Johnson has an interesting take on how he sees this quarterback battle shaking out. Johnson believes Pickett is the leader in the clubhouse ahead of training camp. 

“I think they are going to roll with Kenny (Pickett) for right now,” Johnson said on the Sports and Suits podcast. “I’ve been seeing Kenny going like right now with the ones. Then Joe (Flacco) will come in. 

"I think they are probably going to roll with (Pickett) just to see like he’s coming off a season with Philly and having a Super Bowl. So, I think they are going to stick with him through the preseason. Then you know they can live with Joe and what he brings to the table.”

There's certainly a case for Pickett and some intrigue into what he learned backing up Jalen Hurts for the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. While Flacco has shown he can still handle the reins of an NFL offense his age will undoubtedly bring about some limitations. 

Either way, both are expected to have an edge over the rookies Sanders and Gabriel who have plenty of ground to make up to earn the coaching staff's trust. 

The Cleveland quarterback hierarchy became more established through OTAs and minicamp. But training camp beginning in July will provide more of a clear picture for what's to come in the regular season.