2010 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns First Round Options

The Browns first round pick has been one of the most hotly debated selections in the national media leading up to the draft. The Browns should have many options that will depend on what players are selected ahead of them. They can trade up to target a player they like, stay where they are, or trade down if they do not see the value at the seventh overall pick.

Option One: Staying at No. 7

The most probable scenario is that the Browns will use their No. 7 pick to draft the top-rated remaining player on their draft board. Depending on who is already off the board, it could include such players as Eric Berry or Jimmy Clausen.

Two other options include Dez Bryant and Earl Thomas, although either player would be a bit of a reach at seventh overall.

Option Two: Trading Up

There are only two players I could see the Browns trading up in the draft to acquire. If the Rams somehow decide to pass on Sam Bradford with the first overall pick, you would think the Browns would consider trading up to draft him. To do so, they would probably have to move up to either the third or fourth spot in the draft.

The Redskins are a likely trading partner, as they could certainly be looking to add more draft selections after trading away picks for Donovan McNabb.

To trade up the the fourth pick would cost the Browns seventh overall pick and a third or third and fifth round picks, depending on which third round pick the Browns decide to package.

The second player the Browns would likely consider trading up to select is Eric Berry. Most mock drafts have either the Chiefs or Seahawks selecting Berry with the fifth or sixth pick, respectively.

If the Chiefs are not sold on Berry, the Browns could exchange first round picks and would throw a late third round pick into the deal. They could also trade with the Redskins if they feel Kansas City is set on drafting Berry.

Option Three: Trading Down

If the players the Browns value are off the board by the seventh pick, they should try to trade down and acquire an extra draft pick or two. I believe that Holmgren and Heckert want an impact player, whether on offense or defense, and I do not see them trading down below the 15th pick.

Two possible scenarios would be to switch picks with either the Buffalo Bills, who draft 9th overall, or the Jacksonville Jaguars at 10th. Either team could look to add Jimmy Clausen if he is still available or help on their offensive or defensive fronts.

The Browns would likely add another third round pick or a package of picks by trading down.

Some players they would likely target include Earl Thomas, Dez Bryant, Joe Haden, Mike Iupati, Rolando McClain, Dan Williams, and Jason Pierre-Paul.

In Summary...

It is impossible to predict exactly what any team will do in the first round. So much depends on other teams' draft boards and who gets drafted when.

However, the Browns seem poised to be a team actively involved in trades in the upcoming draft. The Browns have ten draft selections, and quite frankly, 10 rookies will not make the team.

To ensure that they get Eric Berry or a quarterback they may need to trade up, and if they do not have a strong conviction about the players remaining at No. 7, they should try to trade down.

Whatever happens, it is sure to be interesting.