Breaking Down the Biggest Dilemmas of the 2012 NFL Draft

Attempting to solve the NFL draft's biggest dilemmas is often a futile exercise, but this year's two biggest problems can be solved quite easily.

There are two questions whose answers will shape the entire first-round of the 2012 NFL draft. Two teams face dilemmas that will shape the future of their franchises.

This is how I see those situations playing out.

Who will Cleveland take at No. 4?

This is probably the biggest question surrounding this year's draft, and we may not get a firm answer on who the Browns really covet until their pick is handed to the commissioner. 

The Browns have needs at running back, wide receiver, right tackle and quarterback. One of those will be filled with the fourth pick in the draft, as there will be plenty of talented players available.

If the Browns aren't really sold on Colt McCoy at quarterback, they could take Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill. If they want a right tackle, Iowa's Riley Reiff would be a worthy candidate. But looking at things logically, Cleveland's decision will come down to taking a running back or a receiver. 

Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon is the top wideout in the draft, and he will be available. He would give McCoy a legitimate No. 1 target to throw to.

While Blackmon is an outstanding player, I don't see how the Browns can pass up Alabama running back Trent Richardson.

With Peyton Hillis gone to Kansas City, Cleveland's biggest need is at running back. Richardson is the rare elite talent who makes selecting a back this high palatable. He has power, speed, vision, and incredible balance. He is the most complete running back to enter the NFL since Adrian Peterson back in 2007.

Blackmon is a really nice player, but the Browns have a second first-round pick this year (No. 22), and they could get a decent receiver at that spot. There are no other running backs who come close to Richardson's level in this year's class.

If the Browns are smart, they'll take Richardson and not look back.

Will Miami roll the dice with Tannehill?

Ryan Tannehill has been racing up draft boards ever since he aced his pro day. The Texas A&M signal-caller has likely solidified himself as a top-10 pick. The Miami Dolphins desperately need a quarterback to build around, they sit at No. 8 in this year's draft, and Tannehill will almost certainly be available.

Miami's current quarterback duo of David Garrard and Matt Moore is atrocious. After missing out on Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn and Alex Smith in free agency, the Dolphins need to score a win with a quarterback at some point. Tannehill is too raw to be expected to start in 2012, but after a year of seasoning on the bench, he could wind up being an outstanding quarterback.

It would be a serious gamble taking Tannehill at No. 8, simply because he only played quarterback for a year-and-a-half in college after converting from wide receiver. Still, his upside is tremendous, and he has the kind of intangibles and leadership skills that a franchise must have under center.

Tannehill's arm strength, accuracy, and decision-making improved from game-to-game his senior year, and that development curve will be important when considering where he gets drafted. 

Miami has to pull the trigger on him at No. 8. The Dolphins need a quarterback to protect their future, and Tannehill has proven throughout the draft process that he is worth the risk.