Mel Kiper 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Cleveland Browns Take QB RGIII and Kendall Wright

In his second mock draft of the 2012 NFL draft season, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper has the Cleveland Browns taking Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III at No. 4 overall and Baylor receiver Kendall Wright at No. 22 overall in the first round.

Kiper certainly isn't the first to mock the Baylor passing duo to the Browns, and he won't be the last. 

Here is what Kiper had to say about Cleveland taking Griffin III at No. 4:

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Given the makeup of the roster, and the fact that they have two first-round picks and can really enhance the level of young talent, I think the Browns are far more likely to look at a young QB prospect than get into the bidding war for a veteran like Manning, or even Matt Flynn.

One question I have is whether Cleveland stays at this spot and hopes Griffin is still around, or gets aggressive and moves up to No. 2 and guarantees they get their guy. Given his experience, leadership qualities and overall skill set, I don't see it as much of a leap for Griffin to be a Week 1 starter in 2012.

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And here is what he said about taking Wright at No. 22: 

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Cleveland needs help at wide receiver but may not be able to get it in free agency, and Wright is a player who can provide an element the Browns don't have right now. The pick makes sense on both need and value. Wright quietly had a season that almost matched Blackmon's in the Big 12.

Greg Little was inconsistent but certainly showed a lot of promise as a rookie, and Wright is a good complement. He's smaller at about 5-10, 190 pounds, but adds a speed threat this offense really needs. He'll stretch the field with speed. The Browns need weapons, and Wright fits the profile.

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The Browns need for a quarterback has been tossed around at length in Cleveland, and you'll find varying opinions on whether taking Griffin III at No. 4 is the smart pick or if surrounding incumbent starting quarterback Colt McCoy with weapons on offense makes more sense.

There are others who believe whole-heartedly that Griffin won't be around at No. 4 anyway, and that a trade up is the only way the Browns could acquire the Heisman Trophy winner. That's another can of worms we're not going to open here. 

But one undebatable part of the Browns' 2012 offseason is their need to find playmakers on offense, and especially at receiver. Cleveland had among the worst receiving corps in the NFL last season, and it's possible that only Greg Little is going to be a part of their long-term plans at the position. 

Adding Wright, who rocketed up boards after a dominant senior season with Griffin III, would give the Browns both a vertical threat but also a guy who can consistently win in the slot.

His name could be in demand come April.

National Football Post has Wright as their No. 2 receiver in the 2012 draft, right behind Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon. 

Here is what NFP said about Wright (5'10", 190 pounds):

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In the same mold as a number of Pittsburgh Steelers receivers (Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders) and can be effective both inside and out making plays down the field at the next level.

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Of course, the love affair with Griffin III is well-documented. NFP has him as their second-best quarterback and No. 7 prospect overall. 

Here is their brief scouting report on Griffin (6'2", 220 pounds):

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A "plus" athlete who can really throw the football, is a student of the game and is only starting to scratch the surface of his potential. Has as much upside as any prospect in the draft and looks like a future franchise signal-caller.

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The Browns have arguably more ways they can go about their draft—especially at No. 4—than any other NFL team this April. The RGIII-Wright combo picks are just one way they can give themselves a solid draft.

You'll certainly seen and will see a number of other combinations that also work for the Browns in the 2012 NFL draft.  

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