Why Eric Berry Will Drop To The Browns

     All throughout the Browns 4-game winning streak to end this miserable season on a high note, all I heard was the the Browns shouldn't win out because they will play themselves out of a top-5 pick. The guy I have wanted since the season started is the same guy that everyone else seems to want as well. That guy is Eric Berry. I believe he is a beast and probably is the best football player in this years draft. On top of that, he is a great kid who is intelligent. (His major in college is Pre-Dentistry)

     There seems to be people that think we can't get him at the 7th pick. Even if we can't get Berry, I think there are manyplayers who would help us immensly. I think Joe Haden is a guy, who coupled with Eric Wright, will make the Browns secondary into a force instead of a hinderance. Dez Bryant, from all accounts, is the real deal at reciever and the Browns recieving squad is among the worst. I would rather them not go in this direction but they could do much worse. Getting a right tackle like Russell Okung and Anthony Davis could solidify the line and make it the best in football. Plus, Taylor Mays in a Browns uniform wouldn't look that bad. Anyways, back to the Eric Berry scenario. Here are 5 reasons I think he slips to us.

1.) Ndamukong Sue - He is generally considered the best player coming out of the draft.  Alot of other years, Berry might have been considered the best. Nobody looks at the second best player and says "I gotta have him because he is second best." I think teams are more materialistic than you think and that after that "it" guy goes off the board, teams draft more on need.

2.) Draft Trends - If you look at the past five drafts, you'll notice a certain trend, particularly in QB's. In the 2000's, drafts had valued the QB position with first draft picks. The '05, '06, and '07 class had first round draft pick spent on QB's which did not pan out. It was the draft trend in the '08 draft to not value QB's as highly as the past. Now you might say "but Matt Ryan was the 3rd overall pick and Joe Flacco was the 18th." You're right. I just think in other classes they would have been more highly rated with Ryan going #1. QB's became hot again and the '09 class had 2 QB's go in the top 5. Both have been relative hits so far. I think QB is still hot and by draft time a couple QB's will be in the top 5 fold.

3.) Position - Needless to say, there has not been a premium on either of the safety positions. I find this odd because usually constant in any great defense is a dominant safety, but regardless, they usually aren't drafted high. In fact, in the 2000's, only 5 safeties have been drafted in the top 10. Only 2 of these have turned into the dominating safety that a team dreams of getting.  Most teams think you can get a good one later so they will devalue the position.

4.) The Combine - I have never been a big fan of the Combine. Nevertheless, many teams base who they draft on this very workout. Berry, while very athletic, does not have those measuables that will blow your head off. Taylor Mays will impress peoples' pants off. Someone will bench 40-some reps. Someone will run a 4.30 40. Meanwhile, Berry will do what everyone expects he will do. He'll run anywhere from a 4.35 to a 4.40 40 and he'll do among the best in all the other drills but will not impress anyone. Someone, if not a couple players, will jump him do to the combine.

5.) Need - Finally! Looking at the picks ahead of the Browns, I do not see anywhere a safety trumps another need till the Browns pick. The Rams need alot but have glaring needs at QB and O-line. I would be surprised to see them take Suh, but I have a feeling that they go with QB or OT. Detroit's most glaring need is on both sides of the line. I think they either take and OT or a DT. By the way, This draft is stacked at DT and OT, which is good, because everyone needs seems to need them. Tampa needs to plug up the middle of their D-line badly so I think the logical choice is DT. Washington seems to be parting ways with Jason Campbell, so QB would probably be the route they take. They could also use a big time WR to improve their terrible crop. Everyone talks about KC taking Berry at 5. I don't see how this is possible unless they are thinking taking the best on the board. I think they are in desperate need of an O-lineman to protect Cassell. This is the only pick I am somewhat worried about. As far as the Seahawks, I believe their horrific run defense could use a DT to plug that canyon they have in the middle.

     I am actually happy the Browns have the 7th pick. I believe that most everyone they need will still be on the board and they will have a variety of options from which to choose from. They will not be pressured into doing anything and can make an honest decision that will help this team.