Cleveland Browns: Business As Usual

With the fifth pick in the draft, what do you do?

Do you take a highly-rated prospect, like WR Michael Crabtree or RB Knowshon Moreno.

A lot of Cleveland Browns fans were hoping for a top-name prospect. Instead, we traded the fifth pick to the New York Jets, and in return we got the 17th pick, their second-round pick, and some veteran players like Abram Elam.

The Browns targeted Abram Elam in free agency.  He's quick, hits hard, and can make plays. After losing Sean Jones, we needed a safety like Elam, so I was happy with the trade.

When the 17th pick came along, I was so excited because both Beanie Wells and Rey Maualuga were both available, and those were the two guys that I've wanted for a long time. As the clock ticked down, I was thinking, "Come on Browns, make a pick! What could possibly be taking so long? It's a no brainer!"

Then, shortly after we found out that we have traded the 17th pick to the Bucs for their first- and sixth-round picks. So here we are stocking up on picks, whille Beanie and Maualuga still remain available. Therefore I'm thinking, wow another smart move, Mangini and Kokinis must really know what they want!

The 19th pick is now here, and the pick we got from the Bucs looked like a blessing in disguise. Not only are we about to get a solid RB or LB, but we are stocking up on picks for the later rounds.

Unfortunately, yet again we trade the 19th pick to the Eagles, for their first- and sixth-round selections. So here we go again—smart trade, and both my guys are still available.

Finally with the 21st pick in the draft, the Cleveland Browns select...Alex Mack.

In my head, I'm thinking "Beanie or Rey, Beanie or Rey." Alex Mack? A guy they could have gotten in the second round? Seriously?

The second-round selections of Brian Robiskie, Mohamed Massaquoi, and David Veikune were good picks to end the first day with, in my opinion. Even though Maualuga was there when we took Robiskie, I was okay with taking the play-making Buckeye!

Day Two came along, and the fourth round certinly made up for the Maualuga mishap. We took Kaluka Maiava—and you can't go wrong with a USC linebacker. Maiava is strong, hard nosed, and loves the game of football. He will for sure be a difference maker on the defensive side of the ball come the 2009 season.

Cleveland's sixth round picks were all good. We got two good coverage corners in Don Carey and Coye Francies. Then we finally took a RB, which I am happy with.

James Davis, out of Clemson, is quick and a little like Darren Sproles of the San Diego Chargers. He doesn't break too many tackles, but he is perfect for a change of pace to follow Jamal Lewis and Jerome Harrison.

Now, let's get back to Alex Mack. After I saw what we did in the later rounds, Alex Mack truly turned out to be the right guy. We filled our other needs and definitely needed to upgrade our O-Line. 

Mack is 6'4" and 311 pounds of solid muscle. He is an outstanding blocker that will help make openings for Jamal Lewis and create time in the pocket for whoever our QB may be (hopefully, Brady Quinn).

Personally, I think this was one of the better drafts the Browns have had in their franchise history. Instead of getting the top prospects who may be busts, we got young talent and added bodies.

The Browns will have a great season next year—veteran leadership, young talent, a disciplined coaching staff, and an easy schedule.

The only thing I am concerned about is the whole Braylon Edwards trade talk. Please, Kokinis, do not trade Braylon! The guy is still a playmaker.  He may not have had a great season last year, but the year before he was a Pro Bowler.

Go Browns!