Here is that data from the 2015 season.

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/passing-first-down-percentage/2015/

36.1 % would be a bit above average.

Maybe we should have Carl Nassib pass the ball.....his brother led the league in this category.....with the 5 passes he threw.

@d-bone said:

Yup, he's got that high completion % going for him.

@mike-h said:

So you read that entire statistical and situational analysis that I linked of him and this year's class in 16 minutes? Impressive.

I wasn't a fan or impressed by plenty of QBs the Browns have had; Not being a fan of this one isn't a crime.

I also refuse to give Hue Jackson the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. I'm definitely heaps more optimistic than I was with high school Mike.

Regarding Hue- ditto. We're looking at things differently- that's fine- if it works. Regarding Kessler- I did read the entire article Mike.

"Kessler finds his way into the upper third of this category overall, but while he completed a high percentage of third down passes and protected the ball reasonably well (two INTs in 108 throws), the USC quarterback picked up a first down on just 36.1% percent of those pass attempts. Going back to our previous category, we see that only about one-third of Kessler’s total pass attempts resulted in first downs, and now we have even more evidence that he simply wasn’t pushing the ball far enough downfield."

Sounds like a three yard completion on third and ten- Lord know we've seen that scenario played out too many times here in Cleveland.

"Cody Kessler and Prescott, two players who completed over 66% of their total pass attempts, show up at the bottom of this chart, indicating that their completion percentages have been padded by short throws."

His overall rating puts him right in the middle, and we pretty much drafted him right in the middle.

@gftchris said:

Who is this about? Not Kessler. He has those huge hands. And his ypa isn't so much.

And per Hue Jackson, his anticipation and field vision are his strong points.

So, who are you referring to?

"Short, light and small hands. High-end yards per attempt slightly misleading due to scheme. Below average anticipation outside of single read route combinations. Field vision marginal. Fails to see early, easy throws. Extended release time waiting for throwing windows to open wide. Forces offensive line into extended pass protection and high sack total (26). Hesitant to challenge secondary between the hashes. Antsy feet in pocket and prefers to leave and look over sitting tight. Has long windup with slightly below 3/4 delivery. Ball placement needs improvement."

@mike-h said:

Having looked that over, again, I ask the question: with that statistical breakdown, why were not Adams and Doughty high picks?

(So...perhaps here is the ticket?: Maybe in 5 years say Doughty and Adams will have careers as good as Goff and Wentz?) Possible.

I'm happy the circus and the high school coach are gone. A clean slate is what the Browns needed. If Kessler is going to be the next Montana, I'm glad Sashi stole him in the 3rd damn round

@mike-h said:

What can I say? I went to a good school.

Time will tell if Eeyore (you) or I am right. Hopefully for all of us it's me, but our long, pathetic history shows it's more likely you. (Thought you'd like that ending)

@mike-h said:

You still think Prescott was the better option? Looking at the drafted. the DUI I think killed the whole deal on Dak in Cleveland after Billy?

I wasn't a fan or impressed by plenty of QBs the Browns have had; Not being a fan of this one isn't a crime.

I also refuse to give Hue Jackson the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. I'm definitely heaps more optimistic than I was with high school Mike.

@mike-h said:

He's the all time USC completion % record holder that seldom turns the ball over, and was hand picked by his head coach, who is also known for developing QBs......... He has a lot going for him, and time will tell.

One thing I know for sure is, I for one will be rooting for him when he gets his shot and hopefully he's good enough to make it.

https://draftbreakdown.com/2016-nfl-draft-breaking-down-situational-quarterback-performance/

@mike-h said:

Some stats on Kessler, as they apply to just FBS QBs:

Stat....Kessler's rank......FBS leader

1. Completion pct: 13th .668 (Brandon Doughty.)

2. Completions per game: 26th 21.29 (Luke Falk)

3. Passing Efficiency: 19th 151.7 (Vernon Adams Jr.)

4. Passing TDs: 15th 29 (Doughty)

5. Yards: 22d 3536 (Doughty)

6. Yards per game: 30th 252.6 (Falk)

7. Yards per attempt: 34th 7.93 (Adams)

8. Yards per completion: Not top 50 (Justin Thomas)

9. Points responsible for: 19th 198 (Doughty)

10. Points responsible per game: 30th 14.2 (Trevone Boykin)

11. Total Offense per game: 48th 241.9 (Patrick Mahones)

With these stats, the question is: Why were the FBS leaders in so many categories: Brandon Doughty West. Ky. and Vernon Adams, so overlooked? Doughty went in round 7 to Miami. Adams went undrafted. In fact, you don't see any QB drafted high in the lead in any category....though certainly Goff and Lynch were in the mix in some stats.

Kessler is likely very aware of the cross-town rival.

@londonbrown said:

Maybe because he had the largest hand size of any QB in the draft?

@the-gipper said:

Saying that Joe Montana succeeded without a strong arm, then saying you don't believe Kessler is a great prospect are contradicting statements. I know you didn't say that, and I agree with you other than I don't believe he's a great prospect just because of his sub-elite arm strength.

Erratic throws, size, arm strength, accuracy past 20 yards, ball placement past 10 yards, slow delivery on deep throws, and check downs.

@hoorta said:

Well Mike- the pick is in- I just hope Hue (Mr Quarterback Guru) knows what he's doing. I'm with you that I didn't care for it much. Remains to be seen if he turns out like a couple of our other third round flops- Charlie Frye and Colt McCoy, or something more like Russell Wilson. Should the Browns just get 6 years of quality backup out of Kessler (McCoy's trajectory) is it all that bad for a third round pick?

As was pointed out in another thread- the Pats didn't catch much flack for drafting Brissett ahead of Kessler- and he's as much a head scratcher. The difference is they still have Brady.

Me? Watson in 2017, unless Griffin returns to his rookie form- I'm not counting on that.

I have been wrong before--everyone is, except Ghoolie--and I absolutey hated Brissett and am not a fan of Kessler. We'll see Larry

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000659840/article/top-seven-undrafted-freeagent-classes-following-2016-nfl-draft

@mike-h said:

Well Mike- the pick is in- I just hope Hue (Mr Quarterback Guru) knows what he's doing. I'm with you that I didn't care for it much. Remains to be seen if he turns out like a couple of our other third round flops- Charlie Frye and Colt McCoy, or something more like Russell Wilson. Should the Browns just get 6 years of quality backup out of Kessler (McCoy's trajectory) is it all that bad for a third round pick?

As was pointed out in another thread- the Pats didn't catch much flack for drafting Brissett ahead of Kessler- and he's as much a head scratcher. The difference is they still have Brady.

Me? Watson in 2017, unless Griffin returns to his rookie form- I'm not counting on that.

@mike-h said:

Well, it appears to me, all things aside, that the main reason for people dismissing Kessler is because he has an alleged weak arm. The main reason for saying he is not a great prospect is because of his alleged weak arm.

(now, I...nor anyone else I have read have said that Kessler is a "great" prospect despite his weak arm....but he may still be a good to decent prospect. Not glorifying, nor dismissing him). You know, Russell Wilson and Johnny Manziel were too short. One didn't succeed and one didn't fail because of their height. And I suspect the same here.

@mike-h said:

I think the point of it was simple: Don't discount the potential of a QB because he has an alleged "weak arm". A guy with a "weak arm" can possibly overcome....as a Montana did, or a Sipe, or a few others. Joe Montana may have been only a 3rd round pick because of his perceived weak arm strength. Brian Sipe....only a 13th round pick because of a weak arm. Someone mentioned Chad Pennington (also injured his arm)

Now, certainly not everyone with a weakish arm succeeds.....but don't automatically dismiss someone simply because of that.

@tour2ma said:

I know right?

Comparing a weak-armed quarterback who has yet to take an NFL snap to Joe Montana to try to debate someone is pretty poor form.