ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay is giving the edge to North Dakota State's Carson Wentz over California's Jared Goff in the race to become the first quarterback picked April 28, likely second overall by the Browns.
But it's close between the 6-foot-5¼, 237-pound Wentz and the 6-4, 215-pound Goff.
"Beauty's in the eye of the beholder, but it just seems to me like Wentz," McShay said Wednesday during a conference call. "If you have very close grades on them or identical grades on them, Wentz being a little bit thicker and stronger and being in that division with the physical defenses that you play and then having the 10-inch hand span [Goff's hand size is 9 inches], which I know we've overblown it and I get it, but there's a difference.
"So if you're playing in bad weather more consistently, then you're probably likely to favor a quarterback who has bigger hands and can grip the football in rain and throw it maybe a little bit better. I wouldn't fault Cleveland for either decision. I really think they're very similar in terms of grades. But I have Wentz slightly ahead and when you're looking at Cleveland specifically, I just think that might be a better fit."
McShay added both quarterbacks will need time to develop in the NFL.
"The best thing that could happen to them is that they get a year at least to sit and to learn and to watch," he said. "For Goff it's because he's undersized, he's lean, he has trouble putting on and keeping on weight and he needs more time to do that.
"And he's coming from an air raid offense that's all pass-friendly, spread. ... No one starting with Tim Couch has come from that system and had sustained success in the NFL. Does that mean Goff can't? No, I think Goff is absolutely capable, and his football intelligence is really strong. He'll pick it up, but I think there's going to be a big adjustment.
"And Wentz is coming from the FCS level. For all the positive things we sit here and talk about -- his size, his arm span, his mobility, ability to throw with great ball placement and to lead receivers and everything else -- that's a big jump to make. He could use a little bit of time as well."