The Cleveland Browns have received some heat as the shoulder injury of Deshaun Watson continues to get more mysterious. The reason they are gathering heat is because they shipped off Joshua Dobbs to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a fifth round pick while rookie quarterback struggled in his role as the backup quarterback.
Since being traded by the Browns, Dobbs has started for the Cardinals under former quarterbacks coach in Cleveland Drew Petzing. He has thrown for 980 yards and six touchdowns this season with two interceptions to his name as well. Dobbs is completing nearly 66 percent of his passes in 2023 as the Cardinals sit at 1-4 on the season.
However, this is a deal that would be done 10 out of 10 times over if the Browns could go back in time. Thompson-Robinson beat out Dobbs fair and square this offseason and won the backup job. The only way to evaluate this year is by using hindsight, which is a terrible way of forming an analysis.
Stick Dobbs into the lineup against the Baltimore Ravens two weeks ago and the Browns lose that game by 14 instead of 25. Is that point differential worth returning a fifth round pick? Look what the Browns have been able to do with mid-Day 3 picks over the last two years, using them as the bulk of capital to land players like wide receiver Amari Cooper and defensive end Za’Darius Smith.
Is having a different backup quarterback, who again lost the job this summer, worth surrendering assets that have proven capable of adding significant talent to the roster?
The Browns have another quarterback on their roster who has a better resume than Dobbs anyway. If the Browns want to pivot away from Thompson-Robinson if Watson has to continue to miss time, they have a quarterback on their practice squad who has started seven games in the last three years in P.J. Walker.
Get back to me if the Cardinals muster up four wins this season.
[lawrence-auto-related count=5]