Cleveland Browns' 2010 Schedule 10th Toughest in NFL, Cleveland to Draft Clausen

Browns Backers,    

With the 2010 NFL Schedule released yesterday, the Cleveland Browns find themselves with the 10th toughest schedule based on 2009 opponent's records, which are a combined 132-124-0 and will also travel a total travel distance of 9,060 miles.    

The Browns open their 2010 season in Tampa facing second year QB, Josh Freeman and two former Browns in TE Kellen Winslow and C/G Jeff Faine.

Other notable games on the Browns schedule include a Week Seven date on Bourbon St with the defending Super Bowl champion, New Orleans Saints

A tough back-to-back mid-November home stand begins with a Week Nine meeting with Bill Belichick's Patriots and a Week 10 meeting with Eric Mangini's former team, The New York Jets. Newly acquired Browns QB, Jake Delhomme will face his former team, the Carolina Panthers, in Week 12.  

With the NFL focusing more on divisional games late in the season the Browns will face Cincinnati on the road in Week 15 and conclude the season with back-to-back home games in Week 16 versus Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens and against the Pittsburgh Steelers Jan. 2 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.   

Looking at this schedule and based on the Browns offseason moves I can see seven wins on this schedule, and depending on the upcoming draft the Browns should look to be improving gradually.   

Based on needs in the upcoming draft, I sense the Browns are merely using a smokescreen and will use the No. 7 pick on Notre Dame quarterback, Jimmy Clausen, whom I've watched and like a lot. I think that if you see a potential franchise QB you don't pass on him.

I just cannot see the Browns trading up for Oklahoma QB, Sam Bradford or drafting Texas QB, Colt McCoy because of their shoulder injuries.

With other needs at OLB, QB, RB, WR, FS I look for the Browns to be aggressive and shrewd in making some trade downs late in the first round if Tennessee S Eric Berry is gone and may possibly trade down to grab Texas S Earl Thomas.  

Here is my Browns mock draft. 

1st round—Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame 

2nd round—Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

3rd round—Alex Carrington, DE, Arkansas St. 

3rd round—Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida

3rd round—Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida 

5th round—Sam Young, C/G, Notre Dame

5th round—George Selvie, DE, South Florida

5th round—Myron Rolle, S, Florida State

6th round—Simoni Lawrence, LB, Minnesota 

Enjoy the Draft!

Dawgfather