Getty

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is in the mix to be the starter.

The Cleveland Browns are facing criticism for selecting quarterback Taylen Green in the NFL Draft.

Cleveland took Green with the first pick of the sixth round (No. 182 overall), adding him to an already crowded and unsettled quarterback room that includes Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel.

Skip Bayless was among those who took issue with the decision, questioning the need to bring in another quarterback given the team’s current options — particularly Sanders.

“WHY? WHY? WHY? Browns draft another QB, Taylen Green, top of R6. Freakish big athlete who throws it pretty well and definitely can run. BUT THE BROWNS DON’T NEED ANOTHER QB. THEY HAVE 3, WITH SHEDEUR THE STARTER. SHOW SOME FAITH IN HIM,” Bayless said on X.

Browns Coach Todd Monken Intrigued by Taylen Green

Green is not expected to factor into the starting quarterback conversation for the coming year. But he comes at a low cost with some solid upside thanks to his elite athleticism

He’s 6-foot-6 and 227 pounds and put on a record-setting performance at the combine. He posted a 43.5-inch vertical and an 11-foot-2 broad jump, setting quarterback records at the combine, and ran a 4.36 40-yard dash, the third-fastest time ever recorded by a quarterback at the event.

Browns coach Todd Monken is intrigued by the possibility of having a package for Green that can capitalize on his skill set.

“Certainly, when you have a player with those kinds of traits, when can you utilize those? Obvious reasons — short yardage, goal line, four-minute, critical times when you’ve got to be able to run the ball and the defense is going to have an extra element in the box, having an athletic quarterback can be critical to having success,” Monken said. “it certainly adds some value with his ability to throw it, compared when you get in those situations as opposed to having to go Wildcat. It’s not that Q (Quinshon Judkins) can’t throw it, but I would doubt he can throw it as well, as the young man we just took.”

New Browns QB Taylen Green: I’m a Dawg

Green heads to Cleveland after some productive years at the college level at both Boise State and Arkansas. Across 53 games, Green compiled 9,662 passing yards, 59 passing touchdowns and 35 interceptions, while rushing for 2,405 yards and 35 more scores.

Green sent a clear message to the fans and the front office on what he brings to the table after being selected.

“I’m a Dawg. I’m a competitor. I’m gonna do whatever it takes to win, whatever it takes to get that first down, whatever it takes to score,” Green said. “If that’s laying my shoulder down to get a first down or if that’s hurdling somebody. I’m gonna make sure I put my team in the best position to win. And I have the opportunity to do it, so I’m going to give all I have, you know. That’s what I want to let the franchise and let the fans know.”

As it stands, the Browns have indicated they don’t plan to make any immediate changes to the quarterback room. But if Green shines in training camp and the preseason, it will become increasingly difficult to justify carrying all four passers.