A Look Ahead: Predicting the Future for the Cleveland Browns' Rookies

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Kaluka Maiava (linebacker, University of Southern California)

Essentially seen as "the other guy" at USC next to Clay Matthews III, Brian Cushing, and Rey Maualuga, Kaluka Maiava was relatively unheralded during this year's draft season. 

However, there's reason to believe he could be to the defense what Massaquoi will be to the offense.

To elaborate, I believe Maiava may very well be a project at this time.  There hasn't been much coming out of the Browns training facility regarding the former Trojan, which isn't neccessarily a bad thing.  However, it also means the coaching staff and media haven't seen enough from him to garner the type of talk Robiskie and Veikune are getting.

However, I also believe he can relate to Massaquoi, with the fact that he certainly displays notable upside. 

Even when playing alongside USC's big name linebackers, it was Maiava who was named the Rose Bowl's most valuable defensive player.  He may lack the ideal size for an inside linebacker at the NFL level, but he gives nothing less than 100 percent on the field.

That being said, he could turn into a gem of a draft pick.  However, barring any injuries to the front line, I doubt he'll get a great chance to make an impact this season.

Look for Maiava to do his time on special teams for now, but be sure to keep tabs on him, as he may very well make his way farther up the depth chart in the years to come.

Final Prediction: Special teams

Don Carey (Cornerback, Norfolk State), Coye Francies (Cornerback, San Jose State)

The reason I chose to cover both rookie cornerbacks in one section is simply because I believe both have the same destiny for now.

Both Carey and Francies have had pretty decent practice sessions so far.  Each cornerback intercepted Brady Quinn during one day of mini-camp, and several scouts had a good amount of compliments for both rookies, especially Francies.

The problem they face has less to do with talent, however, and more to do with the Browns having quite a few veteran cornerbacks above them on the depth chart.

As of today, Eric Wright, Brandon McDonald, Roderick Hood, Corey Ivy, and Hank Poteat are all looking to see playing time this year.  Wright, McDonald, and Hood will no doubt compete for the two starting positions, with the loser joining Ivy and Poteat as nickel and dime backs.

Due to this, Carey and Francies have quite an uphill battle to go through when it comes to finding a respectable spot on the depth chart.  Their situations may be the same of Maiava's, where special teams may be the destination for now, along with any sort of prevent coverage.

However, if Mangini and crew are having trouble determining the final roster, don't be surprised if either Carey or Francies end up on the practice squad. 

In the end, I believe they'll both make the final roster, but won't see too much time.

Final Prediction: Prevent/Special teams situations

James Davis (Half back, Clemson)

This was the draft pick which caught the attention of more than a few Browns fans.

Through three years at Clemson, James Davis had quite an impressive resume.  By the end of his junior year, he had rushed for over 3,000 yards.  Many scouts believed Davis would be a first round pick in 2008, but he elected to stay in Clemson for his senior year.

The resulting season was a step down for Davis, as he was hampered by a combination of a sub-par offensive line and sharing carries with CJ Spiller. 

While scouts were keen to keep this in mind when evaluating Davis, it was no doubt the main source for his draft-day slide.

The belief, though, is Davis could still be a very effective back in the NFL, and his situation in Cleveland will certainly help him in this mission.

As of now, he'll be the third-string half back behind Jamal Lewis and Jerome Harrison.  Essentially, Lewis and Davis are the same kind of back—big, but still fast enough to warrant defensive attention. 

With his youth, Davis may no doubt be faster than Lewis, thus giving the Browns three different looks at running back.  Lewis will provide the ground-and-pound attack, with Harrison adding a burst of speed and Davis being a mix of the two.

The local press has liked what they've seen in Davis, believing he could prove to be a steal very quickly. 

As of now, though, he seems to be pretty set in his position as third-string back.  However, look for him to get a respectable amount of carries more often than not as the team is essentially grooming an incumbent for Lewis.

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