Johnny Manziel is history after the season ends. How many times can he be called to the principal's office without being permanently expelled? Do any other Browns' players really want to play with him? Does anyone in Berea trust him? As the 3rd string QB, he won't even be taking snaps in practice with the starters. Without a doubt, a QB has to be the first pick.
It comes down to Jared Goff (CAL) or Paxton Lynch of Memphis. I don't even think it's a close decision...it's Lynch by a landslide.
I'll write off Goff, who is a very, very good college QB (and he'd be a great pick for San Francisco) quickly just based on his recent performance and his body build. He's 6'4" and a whopping (sarcasm) 210 lbs....maybe lighter. He's got a fantastic arm, but look at film on him, those arms are skinny. I'm sure CAL has been trying to put weight on him for years. I'd worry that his frame is not going to take the beating he'll get in the NFL. Also, he sure isn't a cold-weather QB, especially with being a small-framed, thin guy. I think he'd freeze out there.
Onto Lynch....6'7" (maybe 6'6"), 245lbs. and he still isn't heavy, but much thicker than Goff....especially in the legs. He is very mobile for his size....very. He came into the program at 205lbs, I believe, and has been able to add 40lbs. of muscle. He has much more "natural" physical skills than Goff. He has a cannon arm as well and can make every NFL throw needed. I love the Memphis/Bowling Green game film; he launched a pass on a flea-flicker that was 66 yards-in-the-air, right on target. This weekend against Southern Methodist, he tied a NCAA record with 7 TD passes....in the first half.
CBSSports has Cleveland taking Lynch at #2.
Peter King of S.I. is begging the Browns to take Lynch #1,
Mel Kiper, as of Nov. 20th, before Lynch's 7 TD performance, has him as his #2 prospect.
I have read everything I can possibly find on him, back to his prep school days, and have watched highlight films of every game. If you're really into doing the research, I would urge you to do the same. the hightligh films are pretty jaw-dropping and saliva-producing. Watch him run, avoid the rush, slide around effortlessly in the pocket, and throw while rolling-out. Always cool, calm and collect. We can build a team around this kid.
Here's a Rotoworld link that's pretty good to get a summary of what what's being said about him:
http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/cfb/134846/paxton-lynch
The icing-on-the-cake....he's a good kid and his teammates love him!