2012 NFL Draft: Offensive Options Cleveland Browns Should Target

The offensive needs of the Cleveland Browns are significant, and that is what is commonly referred to in the land of the living as an understatement. Nevertheless, this is a point of accord between the front office figureheads and loyalists who are flooding forums in a frenzy of friendly debate, as to who can revive the Browns in the 2012 NFL draft.

The Browns have a bevvy of picks in the upcoming draft, including the ones that matter most, in the first round, at No. 4 and No. 22. As advantageous as being a perennial loser can be, come draft day for a team with gaping holes, if the Browns are to make such draft day advantages a reminiscence of the past, the future towards improvement begins Thursday, April 26.

The rhetorical question that obliges all speculation specific to the offensive needs of the team, is not “What do the Browns need?” but rather that question's more unflattering open-ended cousin: “What don't the Browns need?” A legitimate point of initiation for the resulting thesis could be that a complete overhaul of the positions most associated with possession of the pigskin, including those who throw, run and catch, should be replaced via draft day selections. Yet, given the ineffectiveness of the Colt McCoy's, Peyton Hillis', and Greg Little's of the world, it's also a reflection of the unsteady anchor provided by the offensive line, specifically on the right side. 

So, let's take a look at four offensive options the Browns should consider.

Riley Reiff

In an effort to neutralize the nausea-inducing amount of slideshow speculation surrounding the potential of a fourth pick prediction involving the names Robert Griffin III, Justin Blackmon and Trent Richardson, let's start with that unsteady anchor, referred to previously as the Browns offensive line.

Although many might view a top-five pick used on any position other than quarterback, running back or wide receiver as ill-advised, the precedence of such a choice in its potential positive outcome cannot be overlooked.

As Browns fans are well aware of the third overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft, which resulted in a man who has not only played in every single game of every season since he was drafted but has also been a Pro Bowl selection in his first five years—as well as a three-time AP All-Pro first-teamer in '09, '10, and '11. This man being, of course, Big Ten product (via Wisconsin) Joe Thomas.

Of course, Thomas represents the clever side of the hypothetical coin flip to go with an offensive lineman in the high end of the draft, yet it is evidential that the Browns' limited offensive opportunities were directly linked to the unbalance up front. And with most mock draft boards projecting Southern Cal standout Matt Kalil to be gone by pick four, Iowa's Riley Reiff has nearly the amount of upside as the aforementioned former Trojan.

Most draft day prognosticators have Reiff going anywhere from No. 10 to as high as the sixth pick in the first round, which, from an analytical standpoint, would make him potentially available at No. 4. In size, he is equivalent to Thomas, if not slightly lighter and more athletic, and CBSSports.com ranks him as the second-best offensive lineman, behind Kalil, with very positive assessment of his run and pass blocking from the tackle spot.

This may not prove to be a well-received selection in terms of open reaction amongst Cleveland supporters on draft day, but it could potentially provide at least more of the stability most of those same supporters agree Colt McCoy is lacking in order to truly assess his potential as the lead man for the Cleveland quarterback job. 

Zebrie Sanders

In an effort to further focus on possible offensive line options, the Browns may choose to pursue, more logically at No. 22, Florida State tackle Zebrie Sanders, who could offer complementary support to Thomas and the rest of the offensive line.

In a scenario where Cleveland is able to utilize the fourth pick on an offensive weapon and seek some stability up front with its only other first-round choice, Sanders has the diversity to play both tackle positions, although he was a regular on the right side in college.

Being listed at 6'5” and as much as 308 lbs., Sanders has been described as “long-limbed, fluid-moving, athletic college right tackle;” in addition, he “sets quickly, can cut off the wide rush and stymie edge speed.” A pick for Sanders would also be a nod toward the necessity to build from the front, but is an option worth considering nonetheless. 

Kendall Wright

With another speculative No. 22 selection, despite the heinous amount of hype surrounding the potential union between the Browns and a certain Baylor quarterback, his favorite collegiate target, Kendall Wright, would be legitimate target for the Browns and whoever is behind center next year.

Wright is projecting in the high teens to mid-20s of the first round in many fantasy forecasters mockups, and although it is not a predictor of future NFL success, he has a better clocked time in the 40 than that highly touted receiver from Oklahoma State.

Although his height is questionable, listed at only 5'10”, based on the following a sampling of the following analysis, in which he is described as “fearless over the middle and does a lot of his damage between the hashmarks,” he could be a significant weapon in the West Coast offense.

Michael Floyd

Michael Floyd of Notre Dame provides more of the prototypical size associated with an NFL wide receiver and could be an alternative with the latter first-round pick if Wright is gone by then.

Despite his NFL-ready frame and abilities as a big target, the question mark with Floyd is related to his off-field citations while at Notre Dame, primarily involving alcohol. If such behavior could be summarily attributed to college immaturity, Floyd's upside could prove beneficial in offensive upswing.