NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns to Work out Ryan Tannehill, Trent Richardson

Draft Day is inching closer and the Cleveland Browns are one team who seem certain to take a quarterback in the first round. NFL Draft wonks like Mike Mayock and ESPN's Todd McShay have gone on record as saying Cleveland would be wise to lock up Ryan Tannehill with the No. 4 overall pick. But don't think the Browns brass is sold on Tannehill.

There are a bevy of other choices out there and the Browns have scheduled personal workouts with a list that should get the franchise's loyal fan base dreaming and chatting about which of these guys could most help a team that has been among the worst in football since returning to the league in 1999.

Shutdown Corner

Everyone assumes Cleveland will go offense with the No. 4 pick. But as the draft draws near, there have been rumblings that Cleveland could go defense and take LSU defensive back Morris Claiborne. Teaming Claiborne with current Brown Joe Haden would give the Browns an air-tight pass defense which could pay huge dividends in what has become a pass-happy league.

Claiborne is 6'1", 185 pounds, and can also return kicks, something the Browns need as Josh Cribbs gets older and more injury prone.

The Browns have already worked out Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus. Mercelius gained a reputation as a sack machine during 2011 when he compiled 16 sacks and forced nine fumbles. However, last year was Mercelius' first as a starter and some experts fear he could be a one-year wonder.

Why the Need for a QB?

Colt McCoy is thought to be too small with too weak an arm to lead the Browns to a Super Bowl.

In 2011 McCoy was mostly ineffective as the Browns offense was one of the worst in the NFL. It didn't help that the Browns offensive line suffered plenty of injuries, or that the receiving corps was one of the most drop-happy in the league or that the team had no running game to speak of. Since the end of the season speculation has swirled on local talk radio shows about which of the hot prospects Cleveland could take to replace McCoy.

Tannehill Time

Ryan Tannehill is going to visit Berea for a personal workout sometime this month, according to Pro Football Talk. Considered to be a project, Tannehill has started just 19 college games and began his career at Texas A&M as a wide receiver. The Miami Dolphins are reported to also be considering Tannehill, but aren't sure they want to gamble the No. 8 pick on him, according to Rotoworld.

However, one draft expert criticized Tannehill for not controlling the huddle and said he would never take Tannehill in the top half of the draft.

Big Ten Sleeper

The Browns will also work out Kirk Cousins. He Is MSU's career record holder in passing touchdowns (66), passing yards (9,131), completions (723), passing efficiency (146.1 rating), total offense (9,004 yards) and 200-yard passing games (26). 

Cousins is rated as the fifth best quarterback prospect by NFL Networks Mike Mayock. He generated some favorable buzz by scripting the workout for his pro day in East Lansing last month.

Changing Sports

Brandon Weeden will be 29 when the 2012 season kicks off. That could give him the maturity needed to excel at the most important position on the field, and the Browns are sure to ask him about it when he comes in for a personal workout.

NFL Films Greg Cossell gave Weeden a less then glowing scouting report, according to Rotoworld. Maybe more significantly though, Browns general manager Tom Heckert has raved about Weeden leading some to speculate that Cleveland might take him with the No. 22 pick.

Rush to Help the Backfield

The Browns could decide to take a running back with the No. 4 pick, where Alabama's Trent Richardson would still be available. Cleveland plans on bringing him in for a workout, according to Pro Football Talk. Richardson is expected to come to Cleveland for the workout and an interview which fuels speculation the Browns may have their sights set on the bruising back.

Richardson has drawn raves from draft experts and some rate him as the best back to enter the league since Minnesota's Adrian Peterson. Rotoworld.com said he runs a 40 in between 4.43 and 4.59 seconds and if the Browns don't take him he will likely be snatched up by Tampa Bay, which owns the No. 5 pick.

The Browns have already worked out Cincinnati running back Isaiah Pead, and will take a closer look at Virginia Tech's David Wilson, according to Pro Football Talk.

The Browns have probably the weakest receiving corps in the NFL, so with that in mind the Browns will also work out Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon.