Baker Mayfield in the 2nd?

[Big Boss]

Taking a harder look at this, I may need to backtrack a bit.

One way or another, Dalton is our QB next year unless he gets traded (highly doubtful). Mike Brown is not going to pay Dalton to sit, and he's not going to cut Dalton and take the cap hit.

Now, if a new coach comes in and somehow sells Brown on drafting Dalton's replacement, how high of a pick are we talking here? This team relies so heavily on the draft to fill needs, and with how bad they've been these last two years I don't think they could afford to take a QB in the first or even second round with the intention of sitting him for a year or two. We don't have the luxury of time and talent here. If the window's not already closed on this core group, it's closing fast.

Now, suppose Jay Gruden stays in DC, and suppose Cousins walks. What if Jay Gruden called the Bengals up asking for a price tag on Dalton? Suddenly Mike Brown sees an opportunity for more draft picks and an opportunity to let the new coach grab his QB for the future. And presumably, if Dalton is traded Brown wouldn't have to take the cap hit. Trading Dalton is about the only scenario I can realistically see them taking a QB high. And I sincerely doubt such a scenario has any real likelihood of happening. It would take A LOT of convincing to sell Brown on that, and I don't think a new coach coming in will command that sort of influence.