NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns Team Draft Retrospective

This article is part of a series that looks at each NFL team’s recent draft history, with the hope of extracting information about the way they think and the players they value. The analysis is limited to the past five drafts in the interest of relevance and the first three rounds, because that’s where most impact players are taken.

This entry will focus on the Cleveland Browns.

DRAFT HISTORY

In the past five years, the Browns have taken the following players in the early rounds. Their positions and the rounds in which they were drafted are listed next to their names.

2006:   Kamerion Wimbley, DE (1)

            D’Qwell Jackson, LB (2)

            Travis Wilson, WR (3)

2007:   Joe Thomas, OT (1)

            Brady Quinn, QB (1)

            Eric Wright, CB (2)

2008:   No picks

2009:   Alex Mack, C (1)

            Brian Robiskie, WR (2)

            Mohamed Massaquoi, WR (2)

            David Veikune, DE (2)

2010:   Joe Haden, CB (1)

            T.J. Ward, S (2)

            Montario Hardesty, RB (2)

            Colt McCoy, QB (3)

            Shawn Lauvao, OT (3)

BREAKDOWN BY POSITION

Here is the number of players the Browns have drafted for each position:

Wide receiver: 3

Cornerback: 2

Defensive end: 2

Offensive tackle: 2

Quarterback: 2

Center: 1

Linebacker: 1

Running back: 1

Safety: 1

IMPACT

Kamerion Wimbley is a good, versatile defender. Unfortunately for Cleveland, he’s also now a Raider. Joe Thomas is arguably the best left tackle in the league and his linemate, Alex Mack, is excellent as well. Joe Haden and T.J. Ward played very well as rookies, helping to bolster a previously weak secondary.

One of the steals of the 2010 draft, third rounder Colt McCoy, looks like he could be the answer to the Browns’ long enduring search for a franchise quarterback. In his limited time last year, he was marvelous at escaping pressure and creating plays on the run. If he can shake his durability issues, he should have a bright future ahead of him.

TRENDS

The Browns have undergone great upheaval within this five year span. The Romeo Crennel era and the Eric Mangini era represent two very different approaches to drafting. From 2006 to 2008, the Browns selected just six players in nine rounds. Over the next two years, they took nine players in only six rounds.

It’s tough to get a handle on the current administration, as they’ve only been in place for one draft. However, it’s worth noting that they took two defensive backs early in 2010. This is fairly consistent with team president Mike Holmgren’s draft history. 

 2011 OUTLOOK

Cleveland finally has a keeper at quarterback, but whom does he throw to? Last season, he had to make do with the likes of Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie, who have their strong points, but aren’t legitimate No. 1 receivers. Finding a target for McCoy has to be one of the draft’s foremost priorities.

If A.J. Green (Georgia) falls to the Browns, he’s a no-brainer. He’s likely to be gone in the top five, however, so Cleveland has to decide how much they like Julio Jones (Alabama). Jones is a workout warrior and tough as nails, but he lacks Green’s polish as a receiver. If they’re not sold on him, they have some good options in round two, like Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh) and Torrey Smith (Maryland).

The other major need is for defenders to fill out the team’s new 4-3 defensive scheme. In particular, the team has no pass rushing defensive ends to speak of. If they don’t address WR in the first round, they almost certainly have to take DE Robert Quinn (North Carolina), an athletic force of nature off the edge. Quinn missed the past season with a suspension, but put all doubts to rest with a tremendous Pro Day performance.

The only other possibility with the sixth pick—and it’s a slim one—is that cornerback Patrick Peterson (LSU) is taken. Given that Peterson is considered the best player in the draft by many and Holmgren’s love of defensive backs, Peterson could seriously tempt Cleveland.

The right side of the offensive line also needs to be addressed. The health of Colt McCoy is paramount if the Browns wish to climb to respectability.