As has been the case almost every year since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999, the team headed into the past offseason with huge questions at quarterback. Ultimately, Cleveland traded out of the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, and in the process passed on the chance to land Carson Wentz. They also said thanks but no thanks to Dak Prescott, who eventually went to Dallas in the fourth round. Instead, the Browns selected Cody Kessler in Round 3.

And while Kessler, who wasn't expected to play this season but was forced into the starting lineup because of injuries, has shown glimpses of potential, as long as Wentz and Prescott play at a high level, they will be inextricably linked to Cleveland and what could have been.

In September, days after Wentz led the Eagles to a convincing season-opening win over the Browns, coach Hue Jackson said the team wasn't second-guessing itself after passing on the North Dakota State star.

"We didn't draft Carson Wentz because we didn't think it was the right fit for our team at this time," Jackson told Mike Florio on PFT Live before the game.

With the Cowboys on the schedule this week, Jackson is answering questions about Prescott, who has been one of the league's best quarterbacks. In fact, through the first two months of the season, Prescott ranks No. 3 in Football Outsiders' QB metric, behind only Matt Ryan and Drew Brees.

"We liked [Prescott in the draft]," Jackson said, via Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot. "Obviously, he's shown to be really good. He was definitely a guy that was in consideration, but obviously we have the guy that we took and they have the guy that they took. Everybody has the right guy for them, and he fits for them."

That's debatable. Of course, who knows what kind of shape Prescott would be in playing behind Cleveland's offensive line. That unit ranks 23rd in pass protection while the Cowboys' O-line ranks seventh. Either way, Jackson isn't blind to the fact that Prescott has been fantastic.

"Oh my God, he's playing extremely well," Jackson said. "He's a young ascending player, plays with a lot of poise, runs their offense extremely well. ... Obviously, Tony Romo is not playing so they found the right guy for their offense and fits what they do, and he has done it extremely well."

Prescott came into the league with some off-field baggage -- specifically, he had a pre-draft DUI arrest which no doubt played a role in him lasting until the fourth round. Did those concerns care off the Browns, who were still trying to figure out what to do with Johnny Manziel?

"None of that matters right now," Jackson said. "He's at Dallas, and we have the guy that we drafted so I do not want to go beyond that."

Kessler, who missed last week because of a concussion, appears poised to start Sunday against the Cowboys. He has yet to win a game in five starts but is completing 67 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and just one interception.

"Cody did a great job when he was out there," veteran left tackle Joe Thomas said, via Cleveland.com. "He surpassed everyone's expectations. Plus, you have to factor in the realization that he's a rookie and we're 0-8 right now. The chances of us making the playoffs are not the highest so you're trying to assess what we have on the roster for the offseason and we want to find more out about Cody."