Cleveland Browns Mock Draft: Who Are the Experts Projecting to the Browns?

The many NFL draft experts have been posting their mock drafts for months now, so I figured that this is as good a time as any to look at their latest first-round projections and see who they believe the Cleveland Browns will take.

When it comes to the No. 4 pick, the argument seems to center around whether the Browns will take running back Trent Richardson, wide receiver Justin Blackmon or cornerback Morris Claiborne and if they'll trade down.

NFL.com's Chad Reuter says the Browns will go with Blackmon at this pick, adding that this will be their selection only if they don't pick up quarterback Ryan Tannehill instead. I don't agree with either reasoning.

First, it's highly doubtful the Browns target Tannehill that early, and secondly, I am firm in my belief that not only do the Browns need Richardson, but that he's their ultimate pick.

Blackmon is a weapon for quarterback Colt McCoy, sure, but he's not their ideal weapon. That would be Richardson; another receiver, one who is a better fit, can be found later on.

Reuter has the Browns selecting offensive tackle Jonathan Martin with their No. 22 overall pick to fill their hole at right tackle. This pick would be perfect for the Browns, especially if they aren't sold on taking quarterback Brandon Weeden at No. 37 overall.

At 37, the Browns can get a talented receiver, but they have less of a chance to bring in a starting tackle with the pick. Ensuring they have their starter means using the 22nd on Martin (or any other highly-rated tackle, or a guard who can play tackle).

Bleacher Report's Sigmund Bloom is in the Richardson camp when it comes to the Browns' fourth overall pick. Bloom interestingly says that Richardson would be the safe, conservative pick here, which is contrary to the oft-fashionable belief that no running back is worth drafting so early any longer.

Bloom has the Browns drafting Weeden at 22nd overall, adding that they could also move their No. 37 overall pick (at the top of the second round) to go back into the first to snag him.

Weeden doesn't seem to be a sure-thing starter this year, so I don't have the Browns going for a quarterback until a later round—that is, unless they are as enamored with him, as has been reported in recent weeks.

Sports Illustrated's Don Banks also has the Browns selecting Richardson at No. 4, citing what I mentioned earlier: that they can get a great receiver later on, but won't be able to snag a running back with such talent and skill set as Richardson with any other pick.

For Banks, that "later on" is with their 22nd overall pick, where he has Notre Dame's Michael Floyd falling to the Browns.

I don't think this is all that realistic—Floyd's stock keeps rising seemingly daily. However, the Browns could easily take a receiver with this pick, and, of course, if Floyd is still on the board, they'd be insane not to take him.

ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr. is also on board with the Browns selecting Richardson with their first of two picks. He believes that Richardson's profile makes him worth the risky pick and that he will make a difference on the field from day one. I couldn't agree more.

Kiper chooses to go with offensive line for the Browns at No. 22, giving them Georgia guard Cordy Glenn.

Glenn's versatility and high degree of talent makes him a smart pickup here—he can play right tackle, or they can shift around the line to put him at guard if they so choose—and should provide both the pass protection and run blocking they sorely need.

Kiper's colleague Todd McShay goes with Blackmon at No. 4, first making mention of quarterbacks before explaining his pick as simply providing McCoy with a solid weapon.

McShay then gives Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams to the Browns at No. 22. He notes Adams' seeming lack of explosiveness, but says his huge size and long arms more than makes up for it.

So, to recap, the five experts we profiled here all certainly know what the Browns' top draft priorities are: offensive weapons, offensive linemen and, on the very outside, a quarterback. It's all about whether the Browns go Richardson or Blackmon at No. 4. If Cleveland goes with the latter, they will almost certainly go offensive line at 22; with the former, it could be O-line, or it could be receiver at No. 22.

But one thing is clear: Claiborne is no longer in the Browns' plans, at least according to these five draft experts. It's all about offense for the Browns in the first round this year.

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