While there’s no consensus on the quarterbacks in this year’s draft, the name that’s been talked about longest — thus picked apart most — has been Southern Cal’s Matt Barkley.
At one time, visiting a pair of teams with top 10 picks would have seemed right, if he didn’t now appear destined to slide past that range.
Barkley just announced his itinerary on his verified Twitter account, mentioning he was making a trip to Cleveland and Buffalo for team visits. The Browns are picking sixth overall, and the Bills eighth. Of course, the Bills are also picking 41st. The Browns lack a second-rounder from last year’s Supplemental Draft choice of wide receiver Josh Gordon.
The Cardinals, owner of the No. 7 pick, have worked Barkley out, but their coach admitted he’s not in consideration for their first pick, leaving the door open for their second (38th overall), perhaps.
Of course, the same concerns that seem to strike him off the Cardinals’ wish list (arm strength in a vertical passing offense) would seemingly apply under Rob Chudzinski and Norv Turner in Cleveland as well. That wouldn’t necessarily apply in Buffalo, and the Bills are bound and determined to draft a quarterback and ordain him the future.