Why the Cleveland Browns Should Draft Offense

Draft experts, analysts, and journalists are all projecting the Browns to draft defense with the fifth overall pick of the 2009 draft. If they choose to do so, they would probably be choosing between Brian Orakpo, BJ Raji, Everette Brown, and Aaron Maybin. 

The three pass rushing specialists (Orakpo, Brown, and Maybin) would fit well in the 3-4 defense that Mangini plans to continue in Cleveland. BJ Raji would make sense if the Browns are unable to heal the rift with Shaun Rogers before the draft. 

Any of these players would help improve one of the worst pass rush defenses in the NFL in 2008. The Browns defense mustered only 17 sacks, and Rogers was the team leader with 4.5 sacks. They were also poor against the run, giving up 151.9 ypg on the ground (28th). 

The Browns' need for offensive playmakers, however, far exceeds that for an improved front seven.

The Browns last scored an offensive touchdown on November 17th during a Monday Night game against the Buffalo Bills.  After that game, they played six consecutive games without scoring an offensive touchdown and never scored more than 9 offensive points during a game. 

They finished the season by getting shut down by Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. While it is true that during that stretch Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson suffered season-ending injuries, an NFL team should still be able to score a touchdown in that time.

They should have scored a touchdown by accident: a blown coverage, a missed tackle, a defender falling down.

Even before the impotent six game stretch to end the season the Browns offense was inconsistent and lacked the explosiveness and playmaking ability to win games.  They scored 20 points or fewer in five of the first eleven games.

Braylon Edwards led the league in drops, Kellen Winslow lost a great deal of his consistency from previous years, and Jamal Lewis looked old and slow again.

Derek Anderson's inaccuracy throwing short passes led to several failed third down attempts, and the Browns didn't get enough time to evaluate Brady Quinn before he was lost for the season. 

Did I mention that the Browns were worse than the Lions on offense?

In the off-season, the new management has done nothing to improve the offense. They traded Kellen Winslow for the second round pick. They released Joe Jurevicius and Kevin Shaffer. 

They signed Robert Royal and David Patten. They have not solved the quarterback situation and continue to be mentioned in Jay Cutler rumors as either a direct trade partner or intermediary. 

There are rumors that Braylon Edwards will be traded to the Giants or the Eagles. Even if the Browns landed Jay Cutler, he would have no targets to throw to and a lackluster running game (not to mention probably not having a pick in the first round).

The Browns should use their fifth overall pick to get the second highest rated player on most draft boards, Michael Crabtree. Crabtree would provide instant playmaking ability and provide a reliable target for whoever is throwing the ball in Cleveland this fall.

If Braylon Edwards is around, it should help alleviate the pressure of constant double coverage.

The Browns certainly have needs in many other areas. They desperately need a running back to at least share carries with Jamal Lewis. They need linebackers. They need a safety. They need to upgrade the cornerback position and the interior of both lines. 

Drafting an offensive playmaker, however, makes the most sense. Many scouts and experts compare Michael Crabtree to Larry Fitzgerald. Wouldn't that be nice?