NFL Draft 2012: These Prospects Can Help Fix the Cleveland Browns

If there is a running thread between the pre and post-expansion eras of Cleveland Browns football, other than the recurring inconsistency to register a quality product on the field, it would be the inability to manufacture efficient draft-day navigation.

Furthermore, this latter aspect does not seem to have improved under current president Mike Holmgren.

These poor drafting methods could trace their lineage to the inception of the original Dawg Pound era teams. For example, the team’s infamous selection of Duke linebacker Mike Junkin with the fifth overall pick in 1987. Junkin proved to be the epitome of a bust and was out of the league within two years.

To put the decision in even more painful terms, no Duke player before or since has been drafted that high in the first round. In the same draft, a player who went by the name of Bo Jackson, some running back out of Auburn, was drafted 183rd.

The precedent that was initiated by the Junkin pick, manifested itself in the post-expansion era for three straight years (from the team’s first year back in the league in 1999 through 2001). Tim Couch, Courtney Brown and Gerard Warren never quite made the Saturday to Sunday transition.

With this history of terrible draft-day decisions, we turn towards the 2012 NFL Draft with hope—and fear.

Let's look at available draftees who could potentially impact the beginnings of resurgence for Cleveland Browns football.       

Robert Griffin III

The Browns do not have historical success with quarterback selections in the first round.

Look no further than the aforementioned Tim Couch, the overall number one in 1999 and Brady Quinn at number 22 in 2007.

Colt McCoy's burgeoning success as a scribe, with his introductory offering Growing Up Colt: A Father, a Son, a Life in Football (can hardly wait for his next literary chef-d'oeuvre), would no doubt make his imminent transition to the second string, with a potential selection of Robert Griffin III, that much more seamless and pain-free.

That is, of course, considering the Heisman Trophy winner is still patiently waiting to hear his name called by the time the Browns make their selection.

The team was ranked near the bottom of the league in passing in 2012, finishing a lamentable 24th in the category. Although McCoy has only been in the league for two years—and a starter for only one—it would be a misstep not to make the move on Griffin III.

This is a player who in his freshman year at Baylor nearly rushed for 1,000 yards (846), while passing for over 2,000 (2,091). At QB he can help bolster a rushing attack or rather rushing retreat, which finished 28th in the league last year.  

Trent Richardson

The Browns need playmakers on both sides of the ball but especially on offense. If Griffin III somehow manages to get himself snatched up with one of the first three picks, Richardson could provide the same kind of playmaking possibility at the running back position.

After a season in which Peyton Hillis apparently experienced the Madden cover curse, rushing for only 587 yards in ten games after chewing up 1,177 yards in 2010, the uncertainty of his returning to form should be enough leverage for the Browns to choose Richardson (if the Alabama star is available). 

Despite only taking over first string duties this year, Richardson managed to gain over 3,000 total rushing yards in his career and helped Alabama to two BCS Championships.

His resume presents him as a player who put up big numbers on an elite team. This combination cannot be overlooked by a team with an abysmal ground attack and a final season record of 4-12.

Justin Blackmon

The inability of the Browns current offensive players to consistently make big plays gives legitimacy to the idea of using pick No. 4 to select a player of Justin Blackmon's caliber. 

The receiving corps of Greg Little and Joshua Cribbs is not a potent enough tandem to replicate the impact that a truly talented number one receiver could have within the offensive scheme.

Recently hired offensive coordinator Brad Childress has the significant undertaking of trying to resuscitate an offensive unit that finished near the bottom of the league in total offense and point per game. Blackmon is dynamic and has the range to stretch the west coast offense.

If the Browns' draft day analysis is influenced significantly by the combined margin of statistical prowess and awards received, Blackmon's college CV, is more than ample in both categories to influence the team to select him.

He won the Fred Biletnikoff award for being the top receiver in the nation in 2010 and 2011. He totaled over 1500 receiving yards per year in both of those years. His big stage performance prowess was reinforced by his showing in this year's Fiesta Bowl—racking up almost 200 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

College accomplishments and NFL potential provides no guarantees. But Blackmon is still the kind of player the Browns need to inject life into an offense currently operating with a significant deficit. 

Luke Kuechly

If the Browns decide to shun the obvious needs at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver, there are plenty of other areas that could do with a bit of reinforcement.

On the defensive side of the ball, one of the gaping holes that could do with a bit of draft day suturing is the run defense, which finished 2012 near the bottom of the league.

The Browns do have the 22nd pick in the first round of the draft. They could potentially grab one of the three previously mentioned players and address additional needs with the deeper pick in the round. But in a hypothetical scenario where they do use the fourth pick on defense, a player like inside linebacker Luke Kuechly of Boston College might be able to provide some instant gap stoppage in the run defense. 

Although the Brownies don't have historical luck on their side when using a top five pick on an inside linebacker from the ACC (see the previously mentioned waste of linebacker DNA that was Mike Junkin), Kuechly nonetheless does have an impressive college stats sheet.

He led the nation in pretty much every important statistical category for a linebacker, including total and solo tackles and picked up more hardware on the way than a Home Depot. He doesn't lack in aggression or intensity and with some of the lackluster defensive performances of this past season, an instantaneous contributor to reversing such shortcomings in defensive character would be a nice transitional move. 

Riley Reiff

With a situation like the Browns running attack, which posted such pitiable numbers in 2012, the default linkage is to those carrying the ball. However, an opportunity to provide those carrying the ball with more ability to visualize and expose open space is relative to the quality of those on the offensive line.

Reiff is also someone with more of the makeup of an instantaneous impact player at his position.

Although the Browns are locked up at his college position of left tackle with Joe Thomas, who has been a perennial Pro Bowler in addition to being completely injury free, imagine Reiff on the right side as a compliment to Thomas.

The choice of Thomas as the third pick of the 2007 NFL draft provides a legitimate basis for choosing a highly-touted offensive lineman high in the draft. While this scenario is the least likely, it would nonetheless stabilize and improve and area that could do with some enhancement.