2011 NFL Draft Preview: Cleveland Browns
It is out with the old and in with the new in Cleveland once again. After back to back 5-11 seasons, and a crushing season ending defeat to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, Browns head coach Eric Mangini was sent packing. Taking his place at the top of the Browns coaching staff is former St.Louis Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.
Along with Shurmur, there will be much change in Cleveland when the 2011 season begins. The entire Browns coaching staff is new and will be much more suited to wanting and needing the kinds of players that team president Mike Holmgren, and general manager Tom Heckert will be gathering.
The biggest change to the team and the staff will be the return of the 4-3 defense, led by Dick Jauron. Former Browns head coaches, Romeo Crennel and Mangini, preferred the 3-4 defense utilizing larger defensive lineman and linebackers, the change back to the 4-3 will most likely require an extensive defensive overhaul, starting up front, and that is why with the 6th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft the Cleveland Browns will select...
First Round Pick: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
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Robert Quinn is a monster, he is a 6'5" 265 pound man-child, and in my opinion he is the best DE in the 2011 draft, above Clemsons Da'Quan Bowers. Bowers is very good, however there is something about the fact that his potential really did not begin to show until this year that worries me, especially this high in the draft. Last season as sophomores Bowers had 10.5 tackles for loss and only 3 sacks, while Quinn had 19 and 11 in the same conference.
The fact is, if Quinn would not have been suspended for the season due to improper tutor help, he would have been the player the experts would talk about as a possible number one overall pick.
At this point in the draft, you need to get playmakers and gamechangers, Quinn is that player, and will be a force to reckon with in the Browns new 4-3 behind the tutelage of Jauron.
Other Options:
Marcel Dareaus, DE, Alabama
A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
Second Round Pick: Jon Baldwin, WR, Pitt
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At 6'5" 230 pounds, Pitt WR Jon Baldwin has the size and length to be a number one option as a wide out in the NFL. He also has the run after catch ability and jump ball skill in the red zone, mixed with hands that pluck the ball out of the air, to be an amaingly productive option for Browns QB Colt McCoy in the west coast offense.
Baldwin is a great fit in Cleveland and I believe a huge steal at this point in the second round. He does not have the speed of Georgia WR A.J. Green, who I know most Browns fans want to see in orange and brown next season, but he is a better fit here than Green would have been. Green is not known for going over the middle, or for his RAC yardage, because most of the time he will dart to the sideline, or go down when he is over the middle. Baldwin on the other hand is fearless.
Baldwin knows how to use his body to sheild defenders, and rarely drops the ball.
If the Browns are lucky enough to get Baldwin at this point in the draft it could be a huge boost for the offense as it would put Clevelands other WR's in their more natural positions. Massaquoi is a number 2, and Robiskie is best suited in the slot, Baldwin has the ability to step in and open the field as a number 1 option.
Other Options:
Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
Third Round Pick: Casey Matthews, MLB, Oregon
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The "old" Browns had a pretty good linebacker with the last name Matthews, the "new" Browns passed on a pretty good linebacker with the same name, and this new regime of the "new" Browns will not pass on another linebacker with that name.
In the third round Casey Matthews is a bargain. While he is not prototypical MLB size at 6'2" 235, nor does he have the speed of the prototype, he does have amazing football instincts that will put him in the right position to make the tackle. Matthews has the ability, and instincts, to step in and start immediately in the middle of the new 4-3, and with D'Qwell Jackson spending more time on IR then on the field, and Eric Barton being a better fit in the 3-4, I believe Matthews would be a great fit here.
Other Options:
Quan Sturdivant, LB, North Carolina
Sam Acho, DE, Texas
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Fourth Round Pick: Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida
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The Browns offensive line is good, but in the AFC North, it needs to better, and while the left side of the line, along with the center, are pretty good, the right side needs work.
Marcus Gilbert is beast of a tackle, who also played guard while at Florida. At 6'7", 329 pounds, he has the size to play tackle in the NFL, however he struggles at times with speed rushers, and is not always aggressive, which will drop him to this spot in the draft. He does, however, have the talent, and the football I.Q. to get much, much, better, and is well suited to start at the RT position in the NFL with just a little coaching.
Matching Gilbert with Shaun Lauvao, whom the Browns picked in the 3rd round last year, could give the Browns a very good right side of the o-line (if both can reach potential) for years to come.
Fifth Round Pick: Chykie Brown, CB, Texas
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The Browns found a starting CB for many years to come, in last years first round pick, Joe Haden. With Eric Wright struggling all season before going on IR, and Sheldon Brown looking to be more suited to play safety, they need to find a diamond in the rough to pair with Haden.
That player is Chykie Brown, a supremely talented corner from Texas. At 6'0" and 187 pounds and with a 40 yard dash estimated to be in the 4.3 range, he has the size and speed to be elite in the NFL.
However, his footwork, and work ethic, from what I am told, are what holds him back. Given time and some coaching, he could be a phenomenal partner for Haden and the Browns for the next decade.
Other Options:
Darrin Walls, CB, Notre Dame
Ricky Stanzi, QB, Iowa
Sixth Round Pick (via Denver): Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, Ohio St.
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Dane Sanzenbacher is a player many NFL teams will overlook. He is not overly big (5'11", 180), fast (estimated 4.6), or strong, he is very good at getting open and has great hands. He finds a way to make plays and that is something Cleveland lacks, and at this point in the draft is worth taking a gamble on.
He has the ability, and instincts to be the next Wes Welker, but is more than likely to be more like fellow former Buckeye, Brian Hartline.
Other Options:
D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas
Cedric Thornton, DT, Southern Arkansas
Sixth Round Pick: Alex Henery, K, Nebraska
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Phil Dawson,the last of the original "new" Browns, more than likely will not be back next season when he is due $3 million. While a kicker is not a sexy pick, this could be a very good value selection.
Henery had good numbers last season, hitting on 94% of his FG attempts, and 100% of his PA attempts, while also being the Cornhuskers full time punter.
He has a very strong leg, and has gotten more consistent each year. The powerful leg will be a welcome change on kick offs especially, where Dawson had trouble reaching the end zone most times during the 2010 season.
Other Options:
Kai Forbath, K, UCLA
Ugo Chinasa, DE, Ok. St.
Conclusion: Crucial Draft For New Regime
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After seemingly endless regimes of failure, the Browns finally seem to be on the right track. They finally have a president (Holmgren), general manager (Heckert), and head coach (Shurmur), on the same page as far as philosophy and personnel, which has built a potentially potent front office. Now the only question is, can it translate to the football field?
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