Cleveland Browns: Players To Keep an Eye on for Next Year's NFL Draft

So we're now through third game of the preseason. Is it too early to start making mock drafts for next year? Perhaps. But so far, we've seen a lot to be encouraged about. We've also seen enough to notice the several remaining weaknesses on this team.

It is too early to start mock drafting for next year, but it's not too early to start looking at holes on our team, and look at players who may be available for next years draft who could fill them.

So think of this as sort of an inventory of positions of need, and some college names to keep our eyes on. You can call me premature. I don't mind, just ask your girlfriend(ok maybe that was uncalled for).

No. 1 Position Of Need: Pass Rushing Outside Linebacker

The single biggest weakness of the Browns so far has been the inability to generate a pass rush. It was a toss-up between OLB and defensive end for the number one weakness. I chose OLB because we've also had a problem keeping up with tight ends in pass coverage.

I think our first and second round picks next year should, and will probably be used on an OLB and a DE, not necessarily in that order. Here are some players to keep your eyes on.

Mark Herzlich OLB Boston College: Herzlich might be number one on my wish list of players. He has all the measureables and immeasureables. He has size, speed, toughness, athleticism, intelligence, and leadership. The guy beat cancer. He's the kind of guy you root for, and the kind of guy you want on your team. After missing last season, there's still some uncertainty surrounding him, so it's hard to say whether he'll be a 1st or 2nd round pick.

Von Miller OLB Texas A&M: This guy has athleticism for days. He's tenacious playmaker who is the epitome of an outside pass rusher. Only question is whether he may be better suited for a 4-3 OLB due to his size. He's almost a sure 1st rounder.

Akeem Ayers OLB UCLA: This is a guy who could rise quickly. He's also a total package. He's a superior pass-rusher, but has a lot of experience in coverage. He could possibly be an absolute steal in the 2nd round.

No. 2 Position Of Need: Defensive End

The emergence of nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin helps by allowing Shaun Rogers to slide over to defensive end, but who do we have for the future on the other side?

Robaire Smith is serviceable, but he's no spring chicken. Neither is Shaun Rogers for that matter. With the level of talent that will be available at this position in the first couple rounds next year, it's almost certain the Browns will address this position there. Here are some names to watch:

Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa: Clayborn is a non-stop motor beast. He's a consistant disruptive force. He has the size, strength, toughness, and mentality to be an excellent 3-4 defensive end at the pro level. He's good against the run, and great getting after the quarterback. He's sure to be a high to mid-1st rounder

Allen Bailey DE Miami: Bailey is the proto-typical 3-4 defensive end. He has the size to play DT but plays DE in a 4-3 system. He's at his best as an interior rusher. He plays with power and has a game that might remind you of an Albert Haynesworth minus the work-ethic questions. He's likely to be a mid to late 1st rounder.

Cameron Heyward DE Ohio State: Heyward's game is a lot like Bailey's. He needs to go to a 3-4 defense to be effective as a pass rusher because he lacks the closing speed to come off the edge. The only question with him is consistency, but I think in a 3-4 he would be right at home. He could go anywhere from early to late in the first round.

Da'Quan Bowers DE Clemson: Tremendous lower-body strength and surprising closing speed make Bowers a very versatile defensive lineman. He has the size and leverage to play inside, but the speed and quickness to come off the edge. He could be a steal somewhere in the 2nd round.

Cameron Jordan DE Cal: Jordan is a powerful DE with a good array of interior pass rush moves. He could be an excellent value in the 3rd or 4th round.

No. 3: Position of Need: Wide Receiver

The wide receiver position has probably been the most pleasant surprise of the entire preseason. They've certainly exceeded my expectations.

2nd year player Brian Robiskie seems to be much improved after a very disappointing rookie campaign, but he's still far from being Jerry Rice(or even Brian Brennan for that matter).

Mohammed Massaquoi seems to be progressing nicely, but many question if he'll ever be more than a number two in the NFL. I think he'll end up being a one and a half, much like Anquan Boldin. He's better than a number 2 but isn't an elite gamebreaker. If you pair him with a true number one, it could be scary.

Josh Cribbs has improved his receiving skills, and Chansi Stuckey appears to have potential as a slot man. Rookie Carlton Mitchell is still very raw. Adding a true number one would elevate this entire unit, and could turn this offense into something scary for opposing defenses.

The bad news is that our front office and coaching staff are unlikely to spend a first round pick on a WR. The good news is that there are a few  potential number 1 receivers who could be had in the 2nd or 3rd rounds. Here are same names to watch.

Jonathon Baldwin WR Pitt: Baldwin could easily be gone in the first round, but with several other top-tier WR's set to go in the first, he may fall to the 2nd. He's the total package: size, speed, strength, hands, awareness, athleticism, and intelligence. He calls to mind another former Pitt WR by the name of Fitzgerald.

Greg Little WR North Carolina: Little is a strong long-strider. He isn't a speed burner, but he isn't slow either. He is a great route-runner with elite hands who isn't affraid at all to go over the middle. He's a big and capable blocker as well. He could go in the 2nd or 3rd round.

Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame: Floyd is known best for making big plays down the field. He's not super-fast, but he is strong and has a knack for coming down with the jump ball. Many think he was the better receiver when playing with Golden Tate. He projects as a probably 2nd rounder.

Armon Binns WR Cincinatti: Binns has above average size to go with good speed and excellent hands. He has the ability to catch any ball thrown in his vicinity. His speed and coordination make him a constant vertical threat. As a projected 3rd rounder, he could be the steal of the draft at this position.

No. 4 Position Of Need: Offensive Right Tackle

The offensive line might be the strength of this team, but there's still room for improvement. The right side still has some questions.

Free agent veteran Tony Pashos was brought in this offseason presumably to start at right tackle, but he's had health concerns. Veterans John St. Claire and Floyd "Porkchop" Womack have filled the spot with only mixed results.

The Browns spent draft pick this past offseason on Shawn Luavoa to be the future starter at right guard, so I'd expect them to spend a 4th or 5th round pick on a right tackle for the future. Here's some guys to look out for.

Chris Hairston OT Clemson: Hairston is a large body that plays every down to the whistle. He has good awareness and stays locked on once he gets locked on. He enjoys pushing people around. Probably a 4th rounder.

Matt Reynolds OT BYU: Reynolds is a big, mean dude. His only knock is that he's a little slow and not athletic enough to make up for any miss-steps. But he is mean and has very good technique. He could go as high as the 3rd round, but may slip down to the 4th.

Benjamin Ijalana OT Villanova: Ijalana is a mauler with athleticism to boot. He plays mean, and has the quickness to defend the edge. Only real question is if he has the length to stay at tackle in the NFL. I think he does. He could be had in the 4th or 5th round.

No. 5 Position Of Need: Quarterback

This may be a little contraversial, but hear me out. Jake Delhomme's performance has diminished the need for a back up plan. I would assume that the Browns would expect Colt McCoy to be better to step into a back-up role by next year.

Holmgren has stated that he believes in drafting a quarterback every year. McCoy should be ready to take over as back up next season, making Seneca Wallace expendable. I like Wallace too, but he's hardly irreplaceable, and he isn't gonna be the future of the franchise.

Now even if McCoy is ready to take over the back up role next year, that still doesn't mean he's a sure thing to pan out as the future of the franchise. It makes sense to use a later pick on a third string QB that could be groomed along with McCoy, in case McCoy doesn't eventually pan out. Here are a couple guys to watch out for in the later rounds.

Jerrod Johnson QB Texas A&M: Johnson has a great combination of size, athleticism, and arm strength. Poor footwork causes accuracy problems, but footwork can be coached. His production is unquestionable. He could make an excellent project in the 5th round.

Nathan Enderle QB Idaho: Has good footwork and puts nice touch on downfield passes. He needs some work on his release, but has enough of an arm to be a developmental project. Will probably go somewhere after the 5th round.

Colin Kaepernick QB Nevada: Kaepernick is a good decision-maker with a great personal story. He plays in a "pistol" formation, so he would need time to adjust to the NFL. He has good size and mobility. Needs to work on the trajectory of his deep ball. He also will probably go after the 5th round.

Conclusion

Maybe this is a bit premature, but I think it's important that we remember that this is still a rebuilding team, and will be considered such until we reach a playoff birth.

I know the season hasn't even started yet, but it doesn't hurt anything to keep an eye out for possible talent that could fill the several remaining holes on our team. I guarantee you that Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert are. Go Browns!!!