Cleveland Browns: 5 QBs Who Could Start over Colt McCoy in 2012

Slowly but surely, the Cleveland Browns are learning a lesson about their situation at quarterback: Second-year player Colt McCoy just isn't the guy that can lead the Browns out of the AFC North cellar. 

As NFL.com's Michael Lombardi wrote today:

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McCoy has never looked like the long-term answer at quarterback from my vantage point of studying tape at NFL Films. He lacks power in his arm, willingness to make throws downs the field and ability to drive the ball into a tight pocket. He has the look of a backup quarterback who will play well in the right system for short stints, but have a hard time being the 'man.'

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Lombardi is just one analyst, but he has experience in management at the NFL level and knows what he sees on film. I'm guessing he's not the only personnel man in the league that shares this same opinion about McCoy. 

Considering the Browns spent just a third-round pick on McCoy two drafts ago, it's not inconceivable that the franchise would consider an alternate plan after this season.

If the Browns do go down that path, the following five quarterbacks (in no particular order) might be options to replace McCoy: 

Matt Flynn, Packers

Green Bay's former seventh-round pick in 2008 has learned under Mike McCarthy and Tom Clements, two of the game's top quarterbacking minds. Sitting behind that Rodgers guy has helped, too.

Flynn has shown in the little action he's been given that he could be starting material. He'll be a free agent after this season.

Andrew Luck, Stanford

Cleveland would have to trade up to get Luck, but they have the draft pick ammunition from last year's dealings to potentially pull off a huge draft-day deal.

There's no bigger prize in the 2012 draft than Luck, who many have considered the best quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning.

Matt Barkley, USC

It's likely that the Browns wouldn't have to do any trading to get Barkley, who as a junior at USC has looked like the real deal. A snag in this scenario could be Barkley's willingness to enter the draft. USC could be a national title contender next season if he returns to school.

Robert Griffin III, Baylor

No player has increased their draft stock this college season more than Griffin III. He's an electric athlete who looks to throw from the pocket first. What's more, when Griffin does throw, he does it with touch and accuracy.

He could be a Top-Five pick. The Browns would have the opportunity to draft a dynamic building block in Griffin III if the Heisman-hopeful was available to them in April.  

Jason Campbell, Raiders

Probably not the option Browns fans want to see, but a likely one nonetheless. The Raiders sent several picks to the Bengals for Carson Palmer, so re-signing Campbell this offseason looks like a lost deal.

Campbell isn't a top-15 quarterback, but he has a proven track record of starting games in the NFL.