Reviewing the Cleveland Browns' Team Needs in 2012 NFL Draft

No team can meet all of its needs in the draft, but it can certainly try. The Cleveland Browns have the most needs of any squad in the AFC North, but luckily they also have 13 draft picks with which to help patch them.

Here are a few areas of greatest need for the Browns this year and the players they could be targeting in the draft to fill them.

Wide Receiver

The Browns have two first-round picks and most of their needs this year are on offense, so it's looking highly likely they pick a wide receiver either fourth overall (or sixth, or eighth if they trade down) or 22nd.

If they go with a receiver with their first pick, it's almost certain they choose Justin Blackmon—almost. They could also snag Notre Dame's Michael Floyd with the pick. At No. 22, Stephen Hill, Kendall Wright and Mohamed Sanu could all still be on the board, and one of them would be the Browns' choice if they don't go with a receiver earlier.

One well-known fact is that Colt McCoy (or, yes, perhaps Ryan Tannehill, maybe) needs more weapons to throw to—reliable ones, playmakers—if the Browns' passing offense is to improve this year.

The Browns should pick up more than one receiver in this year's draft. In later rounds, a slot receiver will be a priority—perhaps Alabama's Marquis Maze or Florida International's T.Y. Hilton—and another possession receiver wouldn't hurt either.

Running Back

Cleveland also needs a running back; right now the only viable option on the roster is Montario Hardesty, who has trouble staying healthy and doesn't have the skills to be a true featured back.

The Browns have options at this position as well. They could use their No. 4 overall pick on Alabama's Trent Richardson, who is a bruising beast, a physical freak, an excellent pass-blocker (video evidence above) and a reliably strong, game-changing runner.

However, maybe No. 4 is too high for a running back (never mind that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would certainly take him with the No. 5 pick if the Browns take a pass). If that's the case, the Browns do have other options.

With their second first-round pick (or their second-rounder), the Browns could take their pick of Virginia Tech's David Wilson, Miami's Lamar Miller, Washington's Chris Polk and Boise State's Doug Martin.

In later rounds, they could pick up a smaller, faster change-of-pace back like Cincinnati's Isaiah Pead, Toledo's Adonis Thomas or West Texas' Lance Dunbar. With 13 picks, the Browns can afford to pick up a complementary pair of backs.

Right Tackle

There's a glaring hole on the Browns' offensive line: right tackle. While it is an area they could address with their No. 4 overall pick, that's not the kind of glamorous add that would sit well with the fanbase. It does, however, meet a considerable need and it's hard to guarantee a later-round right tackle would be worth starting in Week 1.

Riley Reiff, Mike Adams and Cordy Glenn are three players almost guaranteed to go in the first round. Depending on what the Browns do with their first of two first-round picks, one of these three could be in play at No. 22.

Otherwise, it's off to the second round (or beyond) for the Browns to find their man. Three options include Auburn's Brandon Mosley, Utah's Tony Bergstrom and Florida State's Zebrie Sanders. Whomever they pick, they need to be exceedingly confident in his ability to start from day one.

Inside Linebacker

The Browns aren't going to ignore defense in this year's draft, and they need to find ways to create more pressure. Right now the team has two weakside linebackers—Chris Gocong and Kaluka Maiava—but they should try to also add another potential starter to the fold at the position.

This will be a later-round concern, so the draft's top talent like Zach Brown will be already spoken for. The Browns could target Vanderbilt's Chris Marve, NC State's Terrell Manning or Miami (FL)'s Sean Spence.

Of course, the Browns might do something unexpected in the first round and pick up Brown. Though there's a ton of need on offense, 13 picks does give the team license to be a bit creative. If Brown is still on the board and Cleveland believes he's the best available player, it could pick him up.

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