2012 Cleveland Browns Mock Draft: A Complete Breakdown

With the 2012 NFL Draft only a month away, the Cleveland Browns have not done much in free agency to help their cause, besides beefing up the defensive line and re-signing some of their own players.

Cleveland will have to make moves in the draft to add offensive playmakers, reinforce the right side of the offensive line, and find a linebacker to work beside D'Qwell Jackson and Chris Gocong.

First Round (4th Pick) RB Trent Richardson Alabama

With the departure of Peyton Hillis, who had turned into a "diva" his last six months with the organization, the Browns will be looking to fill a big hole at RB, with the oft-injured Montario Hardesty and Brandon Jackson as the two backup running backs.

Trent Richardson would be the ideal pick for the Browns in this situation. Many scouts have him as the best running back prospect in the last five years. At 5'11" and 220 pounds, Richardson has good size for running back.

What amazes me about him is I do not see any glaring weaknesses beyond blocking and picking up the blitz. At Alabama, he almost always faced eight or nine defenders in the box, and he still produced at a high rate.

He has quickness to the hole and can find his gap before it opens up. He hits holes with power and strength and is always keeping his legs moving. Also, just like a speed RB, he can bounce it outside and outrun even some of the quickest defensive backs. He also has great hands and did a really good job of catching the ball out of the backfield in college.

Trent Richardson is a true talent and would be best pick for Browns at No. 4 overall.

Other Possibilities:

Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M—for some reason I have a feeling in my gut that the Browns' front office loves this guy.

Morris Claiborne CB LSU—Can not pass on making one of the best duos of CBs in NFL with Claiborne alongside Joe Haden.

First Round (22nd Pick) WR Kendall Wright, Baylor

Cleveland really, really needs a wideout in the worst way. The lack of production at the position has killed the team for years. Greg Little showed good flashes last year and will be a solid No. 2 WR for the browns. But, they need a player who can stretch the field and beat cornerbacks with his speed.

Kendall Wright can bring all that and more. His production last year was impressive, with 108 catches for 1663 yards and 14 TDs.

What I love about Wright is that he had speed to get open down the field and he ran very good go routes and stop-and-go routes. He may seem a little undersized at 5'11", 190 pounds, but size is not huge factor in a west-coast offense. 

Wright is also very durable, never missing a game in his four-year career at Baylor. He'd be a solid pick for the Cleveland Browns.

2nd Round (37th Pick) OT Mike Adams, Ohio State

Yeah, I know, I have heard a thousand times that Mike Adams has been inconsistent. But, he is also a really good talent and will be better suited at moving over to right tackle in the NFL.

He is a better run-blocker than pass-blocker, but he can improve in his weak areas with good coaching. Adams has good size at 6'7", 323 pounds, and he would be a good pick for the Browns.

3rd Round (67th Pick) CB Chase Minniefield, Virginia

Chase Minnifield has fallen in the draft ranks a little bit because of minor knee surgery and his failure to work out at the combine. Still, he was so great at Virginia that teams started throwing away from him most of the time.

He would look great across from Joe Haden.

4th Round (100th Pick) DT Billy Winn, Boise State

Billy Winn will bring solid depth behind Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor. He has a good motor, and he'll fit well in a backup role in Dick Jauron's 4-3 nicely.

4th Round (118th Pick) OLB Sean Spence, Miami

Sean Spence might be undersized and may not have great speed, but he can produce. He could come in on day one and make noise.

He could help fill holes, and he has a chance to become a fan favorite based on his defensive work ethic. There's good value in this pick.

TRADE (139th, 160th Pick for 121st Pick from Houston) LB, Vontaze Burfict ASU

Why not?

Used-to-be first-round talent Vontaze Burfict has had a lot of character problems and an awful showing at the combine.

However, he was such a good linebacker in college that it would be worth the pick, in my opinion. I know, it's a little crazy.

Rest of Cleveland Browns' Late-Round Projections

6th Round (204th pick) WR Eric Page, Toledo

6th Round (205th pick) QB Ryan Lindey, San Diego State

7th Round (211th pick) SS Sean Cattouse, California

7th Round (245th pick) OG Lonnie Edwards, Texas Tech

7th Round (247th pick) RB/WR/KR Chris Rainey, Florida