Cleveland Browns Draft Picks 2010: Evaluating The Draft Class

By: TJ Jenkins AKA Phenomenal TJ, Sports Jabber Co-Owner, NFL Lover

The Browns were all about making waves in free agency, could they do it again in the draft? Let’s find out.

Round One: Joe Haden, CB, Florida

Once Tennessee safety Eric Berry went off of the board, Joe Haden was as close to a no-brainer pick for the Browns as it could get.

He’ll fit in well alongside recently acquired Sheldon Brown and could very well become one of the NFL’s top corners on a young defense that’s only getting better.

Overall, a good pick up by the Browns.

Round Two: TJ Ward, S, Oregon

With USC safety and athletic Adonis Taylor Mays still available, this pick left me scratching my head, as both players’ claim to fame is their hitting ability and personally, I’d of taken the better athlete.

Ward’s seen a lot of pain and turmoil in his life, including the death of his friend and would-be future teammate days before they were to report for practice at Oregon.

He should be able to challenge for significant playing time opposite veteran Abram Elam.

Round Two: Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee

According to reports, Hardesty very well could be the feature back in Cleveland due to his impressive skill set. Not only can he run with the ball, but he’s an asset catching the ball out of the backfield and seemed to pick up blocking very quickly under former Tennessee and current Southern Cal head coach Lane Kiffen.

He’s going to take it to Jerome Harrison and very well could beat him out. Browns fans,  keep an eye on this young man in training camp and in the pre-season, you’ll like what you see.

Round Three: Colt McCoy, QB, Texas

Another pick for the future, General Manager Mike Holmgren has already stated that McCoy will not play his rookie year. Instead he’ll sit back and learn the system and get adjusted to the way the game is played in the NFL.

Again, I like this pick for the Browns as it’s looking toward the future and not the present. I wouldn’t be surprised if McCoy turns out to be the best quarterback the Browns have had since Brian Sipe. I guess only time will tell with this one.

Round Three: Shaun Lauvao, OL, ASU

This pick gives the Browns some versatility along the offensive line as Lauvao’s capable of playing both tackle and guard, but more than likely projects to play on the interior line in the pros.

That being said, if the Browns choose to play him at the tackle spot, he’ll have one of (if not the) best tackles in the game available to mentor him.

Round Five: Larry Asante, S, Nebraska

Another safety and another big hitter, still leaves me wondering why they didn’t snag Mays when they had a chance to.

But, this adds depth to a safety position that was nothing short of depleted last year, with wide receiver Mike Furrey seeing playing time at the position. Just for depth reasons, I’m fairly certain he’ll make the team.

Round Six: Carlton Mitchell, WR, USF

You won’t see much, if any, immediate impact from Mitchell, but he has the size and hands to one day contribute to the Browns and they did nothing but add more youth to an already young receiving corps.

Mitchell’s not as fast as the other receivers the Browns have, but then again when you have Josh Cribbs setting the curve in the speed department you couldn’t really ask him to.

Round Six: Clifton Geathers, DE, South Carolina

He’s the brother of Bengals defensive end Robert Geathers and is 6’8’’ at the very least he could simply put his arms up and laugh at the quarterback’s attempt to get a pass over him.

Though a long shot to make the team simply because of his draft position he could end up on special teams but the practice squad seems more likely.

The Browns actually had a surprisingly good draft in my opinion. They grabbed a great running back, a corner that could eventually be one of the best in the division if not the NFL and grabbed the quarterback of the future.

All in all, I’d say the Browns had a heck of a draft.