2012 NFL Mock Draft: Cleveland Browns Have Most Options in the Top-5

The 2012 NFL draft may be more than two months away, but there is no team in the top-5 right now that has as many options with what they can do than the Cleveland Browns, who currently sit at No. 4 overall. 

Mock drafters can't seem to come to a consensus, either. 

Picks for the Browns at No. 4 range from Robert Griffin III to Justin Blackmon to Trent Richardson to Morris Claiborne. Some have the Browns trading up, some have them trading down.

The amazing thing is, each of those scenarios make sense for the Browns. Let's run them all down quickly:

Griffin III: The need at quarterback is a debatable subject in Cleveland. But Griffin III is a transcendent talent who could revolutionize the Browns offense. Cleveland would likely have to package some picks to move up to No. 2 to get him.  

Blackmon: Unlike quarterback, the need at receiver is widely accepted. Many also think that Cleveland needs to give Colt McCoy another shot at leading a team that has better receiving options. Blackmon would provide as much.

Richardson: Peyton Hillis a free agent, and the Browns would be crazy to pay him even mid-range money to return. If Cleveland was dead set on having a running back threat next season, drafting Richardson—arguably the top prospect at that position since Adrian Peterson—would immediately accomplish it.

Claiborne: Cleveland drafted Joe Haden in the first round of the 2010 draft, but adding Claiborne would give the Browns the NFL's top young cornerback tandem. Claiborne could also add a special teams element in the return game. If the Browns want value, taking Claiborne at No. 4 certainly fits. 

Trading up: The only way the Browns would trade up is if they targeted Griffin III. No other player is worth trading up from No. 4 for.

Trading down: I think this is an interesting possibility. While the Browns already have two first round picks, they could stock some draft capital in this year's draft and the next by finding a trading partner for the No. 4 pick. Hitting on first round picks are the best way to jump start a franchise, and the more chance you get only increases that possibility.

2012 NFL Mock Draft    

1.  Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2.  Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (Via trade with St. Louis Rams)  

3.  Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC

4.  Cleveland Browns – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

6.  St. Louis Rams – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa (Via trade with Washington Redskins)

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

8.  Carolina Panthers – Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

9.  Miami Dolphins – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

10.  Buffalo Bills – Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Kansas City Chiefs – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

12.  Seattle Seahawks – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

13.  Arizona Cardinals – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

14.  Dallas Cowboys – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15.  Philadelphia Eagles – Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

16.  New York Jets – Nick Perry, OLB, USC

17.  Cincinnati Bengals – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

18.  San Diego Chargers – David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

19.  Chicago Bears – Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

20.  Tennessee Titans – Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

21.  Cincinnati Bengals – Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

22.  Cleveland Browns – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

23.  Detroit Lions – Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers – Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

25.  Denver Broncos – Devon Still, DL, Penn State

26.  Houston Texans – Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

27.  New England Patriots – Mark Barron, S, Alabama

28.  Green Bay Packers – Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

29.  Baltimore Ravens – Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

30.  San Francisco 49ers – Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

31.  New England Patriots – Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

32.  New York Giants – Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama