Midseason Scouting Report: College Players To Watch for the Browns' 2011 Draft

Yes, I am fully aware that we're in the middle of the season. But I think we're all painfully aware that the remainder of this season has one purpose: Evaluating talent for the future.

At this point it is evident that the Browns will most likely be drafting in the top 10, again. It is also fairly likely that they'll be drafting in, or near, the top five.

With that in mind, I've prepared a report of players from college to keep an eye on for the draft. I've also started a preliminary strategy for the draft based on needs.

From the scouting I've done, it appears to me that the 2011 draft will be one of the most deep and talented classes in my lifetime at several positions. With that in mind, and considering where the Browns are in the rebuilding process, it is absolutely crucial that they get this one right.

This draft will go a long way towards deciding the future of the franchise for the next decade.

The Browns have two absolutely crucial needs that MUST be addressed in this draft: Defensive line and wide receiver. These are easily the two biggest needs on the team, but almost as important are their two needs at linebacker and right tackle.

At this point I believe Colt McCoy has shown us enough that we don't need to be spending a first round choice on a quarterback. If McCoy bombs next season, so will the Browns, putting them in fine position to draft a quarterback early in 2012.

Now I've heard a million times that Holmgren believes in drafting a quarterback every year, but for this year I think he should put that rule aside. There is talent that should be available very deep in this draft that could contribute.

Now let's start with the top needs and players to watch for: Defensive line.

1. Marcel Dareus DT Alabama 6'2" 303 lbs
2. Allen Bailey DE Miami  6'3" 287 lbs.
3. Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa 6'3" 285 lbs.
4. Drake Nevis DT LSU 6'0" 289 lbs.
5. Nick Fairley DT Auburn 6'4" 299 lbs.
6. JJ Watt DE Wisconsin 6'5" 279 lbs.

Wide Receiver

1. Jonathon Baldwin WR Pitt 6'5" 229 lbs. 4.48 40
2. Greg Little WR North Carolina 6'3" 210 lbs. 4.58 40
3. Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma 5'11" 178 lbs. 4.54 40
4. Leonard Hankerson WR Miami 6'2" 213 lbs. 4.55 40
5. Gregory Salas WR Hawaii 6'1" 207 lbs. 4.55 40
6. Dane Sanzenbacher WR Ohio State 5'11" 182 lbs. N/A 40
7. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos WR Iowa 5'11" 202 lbs. 4.53 40

Offensive Tackle

1. Jason Pinkston OT Pitt 6'3" 308 lbs.
2. Nate Potter OT Boise State 6'6" 298 lbs.
3. Lee Ziemba OT Auburn 6'5" 320 lbs.
4. Matt Reynolds OT BYU 6'6" 323 lbs.
5. Kelechi Osemele OT Iowa State 6'5" 336 lbs.

Linebackers

1. Mark Herzlich OLB Boston College 6'4" 247 lbs. 4.67 40
2. Greg Jones ILB Michigan State 6'1" 237 lbs. 4.69 40
3. Ross Homan ILB Ohio State 6'0" 232 lbs. 4.79 40
4. Kelvin Sheppard OLB LSU 6'2" 242 lbs. 4.66 40
5. Justin Houston OLB Georgia 6'3" 253 lbs. N/A 40

Now I know you're thinking there are some glaring omissions from these lists. That's where my draft strategy comes into play.

There are tons of very talented players at some of these positions that we're just not going to draft realistically. These lists are based on players I actually think we could be in a position to draft based on our needs and where these players should go in the draft.

What is this strategy I speak of? To make it one word: Trade down.

I'm certain that we should spend our first pick on the defensive line. I'm also certain that we can trade down and still draft a player of equal talent at that position. I wouldn't be opposed to trading out of the first round altogether if we could receive enough picks in compensation.

Drake Nevis would look really good right at the beginning of the second round. So would Jonathon Baldwin. Having two or three second round picks, as well as two or three third round picks, would be the best case scenario.

Let's just say for arguments sake we traded toward the bottom of the first round and in the process received a second and a third round pick. Here's a sample of the draft we could have:

1. Round 1-Drake Nevis DT LSU
2. Round 2-Jonathon Baldwin WR Pitt
3. Round 2-DeAndre McDaniel S Clemson
4. Round 3-Mark Herzlich OLB Boston College
5. Round 3-Greg Jones ILB Michigan State
6. Round 4-Lee Ziemba OT Auburn
7. Round 5-Chris L. Rucker CB Michigan State
8. Round 6-Owen Marecic FB/HB/TE/ILB Stanford
9. Round 7-Dane Sanzenbacher WR Ohio State

That would be my best case scenario. Nevis would be a great fit at 3-4 defensive end. Baldwin has, in my opinion, the most upside of all the receivers in the draft. McDaniel would be scary paired with TJ Ward at safety. Herzlich and Jones could both be future starters at linebacker.

Ziemba is an absolute beast of a man and would look real nice paired with Lauvao on the right side of the line. Rucker would make a good project at corner, only falling so far due to off field issues.

Marecic is the prototypical Mangini player. We may not really need him, but I couldn't see Mangini not drafting him if he gets the chance. And Sanzenbacher reminds me of Jordan Shipley. He could become a playmaker out of the slot.

Of course you could interchange different players and come out with similar results. The important thing is the strategy. How do we get the most out of this draft instead squandering the opportunity like we have for the past decade?