Many Members of Browns' Rookie Class Already Seeing Their Roles Change

If you were to make a list of the most important rookie classes in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns might be No. 1, and they certainly wouldn't fall out of the top five in any accurate version of the exercise. Having three of the first 37 picks put high expectations on the group, and already, a few of the less-heralded rookies are also being forced into bigger roles. 

Cleveland Plain Dealer beat writer Mary Kay Cabot speculated that the Browns will adapt their offense to utilize first-round pick Brandon Weeden's arm strength by stretching defenses. Cabot also thinks that the team will run more no-huddle. This makes a ton of sense because Colt McCoy's popgun arm kept defenses crowding the line of  scrimmage. This will also bring fourth-round wide receiver Travis Benjamin's speed into play and allow Mohamed Massaquoi to run more deep routes.

Going no huddle is crucial because Weeden rarely took snaps from under center and executed three, five and seven-step drops at Oklahoma State. In a no-huddle offense, he can survey the defense from the shotgun and made quick reads and decisions to help his transition to the speed of the pro game.

Cabot also thinks 2011 free-agent signing Brandon Jackson will have a "prominent role as the Browns' third-down back." This will preserve No. 3 overall pick Trent Richardson for the long haul and also play to Jackson's strengths as a blocker and pass catcher.

Fellow Plain Dealer reporter Terry Pluto passes along that the Browns are happy with third-round defensive tackle John Hughes and sixth-round defensive tackle Billy Winn. The choice of Hughes was met with criticism because defensive tackle is one of the team's strongest positions, but it seemed prescient after starting nose tackle Phil Taylor tore one of his pectoral muscles after the draft.

Pluto gave a look into the Browns' thinking about the pair of rookies. The team reportedly thought Hughes could be an immediate rotational player and had Winn rated higher than a sixth-round prospect. Both will have a chance to make the team feel good about the picks with the extra practice reps and regular season snaps freed up by Taylor's injury.