Who To Take at No. 5: The Browns Finally Improve, or the Same Old Script?

No doubt Eric Mangini has cleaned house, trading Kellen Winslow II, replacing the entire coaching staff, letting Andra Davis go (not necessarily all bad moves).

But all this means is that the Browns must fire perfectly in the first round with such a high draft pick and enormous needs on the defense, especially at LB.

With three top 50 picks in the draft, Cleveland can work to fill some of those crucial needs, especially in the front seven. However, there is no margin for error with the most rabid fanbase in the NFL killing for a winner.

GM George Kokinis and Mangini definitely have to make something happen to spark some life into the ballclub. With the draft a few weeks away, here are some potential scenarios that could benefit the Browns:

Draft OLB Brian Orakpo at No. 5

Orakpo was a sack machine at Texas and the epitome of a nasty pass rusher, something the Browns desperately lack. Adding Orakpo would also free up Kamerion Wimbley on the other side of the defense and allow him to create some havoc of his own.

The linebacking corps is among the worst in the NFL and definitely needs rush help, but ILB/OLB Aaron Curry might not last to the fifth pick.

Orakpo's nasty attitude would be a major plus to a defense that always seemed to play very timidly and unemotionally all year.

Draft WR Michael Crabtree at No. 5

Regardless of who starts at QB, Anderson or Quinn, they cannot feel comfortable knowing that Braylon Edwards is the only proven offensive weapon in their arsenal.

Adding Crabtree forces Edwards to be covered with less pressure because of the additional attention needed on Crabtree.

The only problem with Crabtree is his recovery from surgery and his lack of true top-flight speed.

With Winslow traded, and Stallworth on trial and potentially one foot out the door, the offense would be much more stagnant with only one true target.

With Crabtree, that would free up whoever takes over at TE and at third and fourth receiver.

Trade Down for a Pair of First Rounders

Adding a second first-rounder would help to fill some more needs, maybe on both sides of the ball.

Two major targets of interest that could be available in the first round are LB Rey Maualuga and RB Chris Beanie Wells. The Browns need a defensive leader with attitude, and could use a RB with talent to take the load off veteran Jamal Lewis.

Additional players that could be considered in this realm of the draft are WR Percy Harvin, RB Knowshon Moreno, LB Brian Cushing, and DE Tyson Jackson.

At least for now, the Browns can get by with Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright at CB, and might wait a year and go after Taylor Mays for SS in 2010.

However, there aren't too many teams or enough top-flight talent that warrant teams giving up two first-rounders to move up.

Trade Edwards to the Giants and Keep the No. 5 Pick

Braylon Edwards is a hot trade commodity, and the Giants appear to be in charge of a potential trade for the inconsistent, but physically gifted receiver.

However, the trade of Edwards leaves the Browns offense with no threats whatsoever.

That void can be filled with the extra first-rounder, but a rookie receiver is never a guarantee of success.

Either way, the Browns draft staff will have their hands full in 2009. However, the makeup of the roster isn't as bad as some fans make it out to be, considering they won 10 games two years ago.

The problem was coaching in 2008, but an influx of talented and angry players will do wonders for this team.