Prince Amukamara: Why the Nebraska CB Is the Best Option for Cleveland at No. 6

The 2011 NFL draft is less than two months away. Speculation has been rampant as to who the Cleveland Browns will take this year with their first pick, No. 6 overall, ranging from A.J. Green to Cam Newton, the starting quarterback for the Auburn Tigers, college football's reigning national champions.

Yet make no mistake about it, the Browns and first year head coach Pat Shurmur are in a rebuilding process that cannot be fixed overnight.  That is why the safest bet for Cleveland on the night of April 28th, when it is finally their turn, may come in the form of Nebraska defensive back Prince Amukamara.

Selecting a defensive player with the sixth pick overall may not sit well with more than a few Browns fans who see A.J. Green, the standout wide receiver from Georgia, as the next 'cant-miss' prospect at his position.  Indeed, Green possesses the speed and athleticism that make him the top receiving prospect in the 2011 NFL draft.

Nonetheless, he still may not be right for Cleveland for a couple of reasons.  One reason is he is said to not be the greatest of route runners, something that is a must in the west coast offense to be employed by coach Shurmur.  Then, there is the fact there are a number of quality receivers, the University of Miami's Leonard Hankerson, being one of them, that should be available to the Browns in the later rounds.

Then there are those who figure the Browns, who will switch this season from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense, need to use their first pick to bolster their defensive line.  It is true the scheme change will be an adjustment, but it is not as if the Browns are going to contend for the AFC north this season, and even adding a player such as a Robert Quinn or a Da'Quan Bowers won't change that. 

But if the Browns can add another quality cornerback on the other side of Joe Haden, they will have a formidable secondary that will at least allow them to be competitive.

Amukamara has been rated as the second best cornerback in the draft.  The best is considered to be Patrick Peterson, a dual threat from LSU (he also excelled on punt returns last season).  Yet he will probably be selected before the fourth pick, and there is no reason for H & H and company to mortgage future picks just to select him.

Last season, the Browns had one of their better drafts in years, and it started with the selection of corner Joe Haden, a safe pick whose surprised many by recording six interceptions as a rookie.  This year, with the number six pick overall, the Browns would be wise to go the safe route again and select Prince Amukamara, defensive back from Nebraska.