Breaking Down Justin Blackmon and Best Options for Cleveland Browns' No. 4 Pick

There are a few things we know about the 2012 NFL draft. 

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck will go No. 1 overall to the Indianapolis Colts. One pick later, the Washington Redskins will select Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. 

The Minnesota Vikings taking USC tackle Matt Kalil appears to be a pretty safe bet, too. 

But things will start getting interesting at No. 4 overall, when the Cleveland Browns and their host of needs come on the clock. Vice president Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert have a number of options, ranging from unlikely to more likely, and poor to smart. 

We're here to break them all down.

WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

According to what Sports Illustrated's Peter King has heard, Heckert "loves Blackmon" and "would be his pick" at No. 4 overall. That scuttlebutt alone carries some weight here. Given how bad the Browns need another receiving option, taking Blackmon absolutely fits from a positional standpoint. 

But the real question remains whether or not Blackmon is actually worth that high of a pick. You could legitimately argue that the receiver position is as deep in this draft as any of the recent drafts before it. Could the Browns find a player of Blackmon's near equal at No. 22 overall? 

While teams should mostly stick to their boards when making picks this important, it's crazy to think Cleveland isn't projecting what may fall to them at No. 22. Blackmon is certainly a fit, but passing on him at No. 4 and worrying about the receiver position later in the draft looks like a better move, value-wise.

RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

Cleveland taking Richardson has always been an option, but as the draft has drawn near, more and more mocks are projecting the Alabama running back to the Browns at No. 4. There's good reason for that, too.

While the running back position has been annually devalued over the last decade or so, the Browns have as empty a running back stable as you'll find in the NFL. The top of the depth chart is almost completely bare, unless you consider Chris Ogbonaya, Montario Hardesty, or Brandon Jackson legitimate answers to the vacant starting spot left by Peyton Hillis.

That is where Richardson can impact this football team in a big way, both in the short and long-term.

By taking him at No. 4—the only spot Cleveland could realistically take Richardson—the Browns will acquire an elite talent at a position that can carry a big load next season. You could very well see offensive coordinator Brad Childress give Richardson the football 375 times or more (carries/catches) as a rookie. The Browns would finally have an offensive identity. 

The value also works for Richardson. Whereas the receiver class is loaded, running back is a drier well. Richardson may be the only back in this draft with elite talent. Finding a player that could have the kind of immediate impact Richardson is capable of will be hard to do later on. 

CB Morris Claiborne, LSU

Claiborne in Cleveland has been an intriguing possibility, if only for the fact that the NFL has become so pass-crazy in recent years. Teaming the draft's top cover corner with 2010 first-round pick Joe Haden would give Cleveland arguably the top young corner tandem in the NFL.

Claiborne can also add something as a kick and punt returner. 

Overall, however, this possibility is starting to look less and less likely. The Browns didn't struggle against the pass last season, which makes snagging a player at a position of strength a stretch considering the other holes on the roster. Special teams is only an added bonus. 

There is certainly value in Claiborne, and if he's a clear No. 1 on the Browns' board come April 26, then they should take him without hesitation. It's just hard to see that being the case when push comes to shove next week. 

QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

Given how little trust the Browns' front office seems to have in Colt McCoy, you can't blame Holmgren and Heckert for taking a long look at Tannehill. He's been the talk of the draft for the better part of two months, and few will claim he's not the third best quarterback available. 

However, I can't see the Browns being as sold on Tannehill as you need to be to make a risk-pick like this in the top-5. You need to see a sure thing in a prospect to take him at No. 4 overall, and the Browns have every right to be weary of a quarterback many considered a second-round pick early on in this process.

Considering the Browns won't have a chance at either Luck or Griffin, McCoy probably deserves one more shot with an improved supporting cast. Taking Tannehill here robs Cleveland of a pick that would boost that cast. 

If McCoy falters in 2012, Cleveland will probably have another high pick anyway. USC's Matt Barkley or Arkansas' Tyler Wilson will be options once you know exactly what you have in McCoy.

Conclusion

This pick should come down to Blackmon or Richardson. While I would lean towards Richardson, you couldn't blame Cleveland for pulling the trigger on a potential No. 1 receiver. 

Either way, the Browns absolutely need to get a player who can help that offense score points next season. Richardson and Blackmon fit the bill. Claiborne and Tannehill look like luxury picks.