Cleveland Browns: 2012 NFL Draft Preview

With a total of 13 picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, including three in the top 37, perhaps no team can shake up the draft like the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns are a team starved for talent, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Colt McCoy will be entering his third year in the NFL. Thus far he hasn’t had enough talent around him to determine if he can be the team’s long-term answer at quarterback.

There was much debate in early March about how serious the Browns were about trading up for the rights to draft Robert Griffin III. In the end the Washington Redskins outbid them because the Browns balked at including both first round picks in this year’s draft.

In the end it may not be a bad thing that the Browns held onto their picks. With so many picks, they have the flexibility to move up or down when they see a player they truly covet. The Browns’ defense is actually pretty good, so the team can focus on upgrading the offensive talent.

If Griffin is eventually the player that most think he will be, team czar Mike Holmgren will forever be vilified in Cleveland. But, for now, the Browns have a golden opportunity to improve the skill positions and add another young quarterback if they see one that interests them.

The three biggest needs heading into the 2012 NFL Draft for the Browns:

Wide receiver: Josh Cribbs is an excellent player, but he is not a standout receiver. He is an excellent return man who is effective when the team uses him on offense in a multitude of ways.

Greg Little had a promising rookie season for the Browns, but he struggles with drops. He is a physical presence that could be a dominant receiver if he dedicates himself properly.

Beyond that, Jordan Norwood is the only other receiver on the roster who shows promise. Norwood shows good acceleration after the catch and is an intriguing prospect.

The Browns need an elite playmaker on the perimeter. Justin Blackmon will be an option with the No. 4 overall pick, but he doesn’t possess the same ability as previous top 5 receivers like Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, and A.J. Green.

Blackmon possesses solid size and speed, and he also has tremendous ball skills and is terrific after the catch. The Browns may consider him at No. 4; however, look for them to address the wide receiver position with the 22^nd or 37^th pick.

If the team chooses to address receiver with the 22^nd pick, Kendall Wright would be an excellent choice. Wright, who plays faster than his 40 time, is an excellent vertical threat who can also play in the slot.

Running back: As good as Peyton Hillis was in 2010, he was every bit as bad in 2011. As a result, the Browns let Hillis walk.

Montario Hardesty had his opportunities in 2011, but rarely seized them. He will be in the mix for carries in 2012. Hardesty is injury-prone, so his roster spot is not a guarantee.

The running back position has been devalued somewhat over the years because teams are throwing the ball more, but Holmgren’s teams have historically always emphasized the run. Picking fourth allows the Browns to draft perhaps the best player in the draft, running back Trent Richardson.

Richardson is the best running back to enter the NFL since Adrian Peterson in 2007. Richardson has everything an NFL team wants in a franchise runner. He is solidly built (5’9” 228) with outstanding speed. He has excellent vision and can help a team from day one.

Picking a running back this high may be a concern for some teams, but Richardson will not be a bust.

The Browns could decide to draft Blackmon, Richardson, LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne, or perhaps even Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill with the No. 4 pick. They could then address the running back position with another of their early picks.

Reports have indicated the team likes Tannehill and Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden. They could draft Weeden with the 37^th pick. Most Browns fans hope the team decides against Tannehill with the fourth pick. Talent-wise Tannehill isn’t worth the No. 4 selection. However, quarterbacks are graded differently, and if the Browns truly like him they may have to take him there.

Outside linebacker: The Browns have built a solid defensive line through the draft in recent years. Their secondary, led by Joe Haden, is stingy. However, middle linebacker D’Qwell Jackson could use some help around him.

As it currently stands, the Browns would start veterans Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong on the outside. Fujita has long been a solid player, but he has fought injuries in recent years. When Gocong moved over to replace Fujita on the strong side in 2011 he played well.

The team could use an athletic young player to play the weak-side linebacker spot. Kaluka Maiava played on the weak side when Gocong moved over, and he was often overmatched.

Lavonte David of Nebraska could be the ideal choice for the Browns. David isn’t big, but has outstanding speed and instincts. He has experience playing in the middle, but due to his size, is best suited for the weak side in the NFL. David is a sound tackler and has proven to be solid in coverage. The Browns could target David with the 37^th overall selection.