Cleveland Browns: Jake D's Roster Challenge

As a response to the picture, I am NOT Tom Heckert. I don't claim to be. I am your average Browns fan, I don't own season tickets (I'm too poor), and I don't have any sort of connection that's going to get my opinion posted anywhere other than this site.

However, after seeing countless mock drafts, reading hundreds of articles, commenting on almost every one of those articles and the countless numbers of comments posted on them that I could, after watching the recordings of the NFL Combine I have on my DVR, and after researching as many scouting reports I can get my hands on. I'm officially ready for the draft.

In this article, I'm going to attempt what I would've considered the impossible: predicting how the Browns roster may look in a number of different situations. However, there are rules that I must hold my predictions to.

Given:

1. Mike Holmgren said the Browns will not be major competitors in free agency this season.
2. The Browns current draft position.
3. The relatively small amount of trade-worthy assets on the team.

I am going to hold each of my attempts to these three simple rules:

1. A maximum of two free agent selections can be made.
2. The Browns cannot get any more picks or drop any amount of spots in the draft
3. One and only one trade, and it must be a realistic scenario.

So, without further adieu, I give you my attempts at building the best roster I can, given the three rules

Excellent Defense, Similar Offense

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 1: Defensive back Patrick Peterson of LSU looks on during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

In this first attempt, the Browns get a draft that looks something like this:

1 (6) - Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

2 (37) - Brooks Reed, LB/DE, Arizona

3 (70) - Drake Nevis, DT, LSU

4 (101) - Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh

5 (134) - Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh

6 (163) - Scott Lutrus, LB, Connecticut

6 (165) - Mario Harvey, LB, Marshall

And my two FA acquisitions are:

• Barrett Ruud, Tampa Bay
• Vernon Gholston, New York Jets

The roster will look something like this (italicized names are starters):

DE: Brooks Reed, Greg Romeus, Vernon Gholston, Travis Ivey, Matt Roth

DT:  Ahtyba Rubin, Drake Nevis, Robaire Smith, Paxson Scott, Brain Schaefering 

WLB: D'Qwell Jackson, Chris Gocong

MLB: Barrett Ruud,  Scott Lutrus

SLB: Scott Fujita, Mario Harvey, Marcus Benard

CB: Joe Haden, Patrick Peterson, Eric Wright, Mike Adams

SS: T.J. Ward, Sabby Pisticelli (whoever that is)

FS: Sheldon Brown, -Insert generic guy here-

_________

QB: Colt McCoy, Seneca Wallace, Jake Delhomme, Jarrett Brown

RB: Peyton Hillis, Dion Lewis, Montario Hardesty

WR: Joshua Cribbs, Mohammed Massaqoui, Carlton Mitchell, Brian Robiskie, Johnathan Haggarty

TE: Benjamin Watson, Evan Moore

LT: Joe Thomas, Billy Yates

LG: Eric Steinbach

C: Alex Mack

RG: Shawn Luvao

RT: Tony Pashos, Floyd Womack

Better Offense, Great DL

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Da'Quan Bowers of Clemson looks on during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

This attempts draft looks drastically different:

1 (6) - Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

2 (37) - Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina

3 (70) - Jerell Jernigan, WR, Troy

4 (101) - Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh

5 (134) - Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh

6 (163) - Nick Bellore, LB, Central Michigan

6 (165) - Derek Hall, OT, Stanford

The FA pickups for this attempt are:

• Sidney Rice, WR Minnesota
• Eric Weddle, FS San Diego

I think I'm also going to use my one trade here:

Green Bay Gives: Nick Barnett, ILB

Cleveland Gives: Mohammed Massaquoi, WR; 2012 sixth round draft pick

So on this attempt the complete roster looks like this:

DE: Da'Quan Bowers, Greg Romeus, Travis Ivey, Matt Roth

DT: Marvin Austin, Ahtyba Rubin, Robaire Smith, Brian Shaefering

WLB: D'Qwell Jackson, Chris Gocong

MLB: Nick Barnett, Nick Bellore

SLB: Scott Fujita, Marcus Benard

CB: Joe Haden, Eric Wright, Sheldon Brown, Mike Adams

SS: T.J. Ward, Sabby Whatever

FS: Eric Weddle

__________

QB: Colt McCoy, Seneca Wallace, Jake Delhomme

RB: Peyton Hillis, Dion Lewis, Montario Hardesty

WR: Sidney Rice, Jerell Jernigan, Joshua Cribbs, Brian Robiskie, Carlton Mitchell, Johnathan Haggerty

TE: Benjamin Watson, Evan Moore

LT: Joe Thomas, Tony Pashos

LG: Eric Steinbach

C: Alex Mack, Billy Yates

RG: Shawn Luvao, Floyd Womack

RT: Derek Hall

I'm Just Going To Call This One Attempt No. 3

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Wide receiver A.J. Green of Georgia runs with the ball during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

This one was the hardest to write, because I'd be a little disappointed if our draft looked like this. (In case any of you were wondering, this is what a "needs based draft" looks like):

1 (6) - A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

2 (37) - Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon

3 (70) - Sam Acho, DE, Texas

4 (101) - Kelvin Sheppard, LB, LSU

5 (134) - Chimdi Chekwa, CB, Ohio State

6 (163) - Derek Hall, OT, Stanford

6 (165) - Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia

The two free agents I have in this situation are:

• Barrett Ruud, LB Tampa Bay
• Ray Edwards, DE Minnesota

The roster, would look like this:

DE: Sam Acho, Ray Edwards, Travis Ivey, Matt Roth

DT: Stephen Paea, Ahtyba Rubin, Brian Schaefering, Robaire Smith

WLB: D'Qwell Jackson, Chris Gocong

MLB: Barrett Ruud, Kelvin Sheppard

SLB: Scott Fujita, Marcus Benard

CB: Joe Haden, Eric Wright, Chimdi Checkwa, Mike Adams

SS: T.J. Ward

FS: Sheldon Brown

________

QB: Colt McCoy, Seneca Wallace, Jake Delhomme, Jarrett Brown

RB: Peyton Hillis, Montario Hardesty, Noel Devine

WR: A.J. Green, Josh Cribbs, Mohamed Massaquoi, Brain Robiskie, Carlton Mitchell, Johnathan Haggerty

TE: Benjamin Watson, Evan Moore

LT: Joe Thomas

LG: Eric Steinbach

C: Alex Mack, Billy Yates

RG: Shawn Luvao, Floyd Womack

RT: Derek Hall, Tony Pashos

"Defense Wins Championships"

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Defensive lineman Marcell Dareus #57 of the Alabama Crimson Tide watches play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs November 13, 2010 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

This is the attempt where we focus mostly on getting our defense together and building off of that the next season. Those who say "defense wins championships" may be pleased by this attempt.

The draft:

1 (6) - Marcell Dareus, DT Alabama

2 (37) - Martez Wilson, LB Illinois

3 (70) - Deunta Williams, S North Carolina

4 (101) - Greg Romeus, DE Pittsburgh

5 (134) - Chimdi Chekwa, CB Ohio State

6 (163) - Pierre Allen, DE Nebraska

6 (165) - Mario Harvey, LB Marshall

The free agent acquisitions:

• Ike Taylor, CB Pittsburgh
• Tyson Clabo, OT Atlanta

Here's the kicker, the trade:

Houston Gives: Mario Williams, DE; Cato June, LB; Steve Slaton, RB

Cleveland Gives: Ahtyba Rubin, DT; Eric Wright, CB; 2012 first-round pick; 2013 second-round pick; 2013 third-round pick

Note: This trade isn't likely; however, the Texans are switching to a 3-4, and they would do well to get the best value they can for Mario Williams, who is widely considered one of the best 4-3 ends in football. He may not translate all that well to the 3-4. Ahtyba Rubin is a great NT in the 3-4, Eric Wright helps their weak defensive secondary, and giving Houston early picks in future drafts gives them options in future drafts. Williams would give Cleveland's front seven instant credibility and would be worth the heavy price that comes with him. It's a stretch to think this is going to happen, but that's why I'm writing it, to spark some discussion.

And finally, the roster:

DE: Mario Williams, Greg Romeus, Pierre Allen, Travis Ivey, Matt Roth

DT:  Marcell Dareus, Brian Schefering, Robaire Smith, Paxon Smith

WLB: D'Qwell Jackson, Mario Harvey

MLB:  Martez Wilson, Chris Gocong

SLB: Scott Fujita, Cato June

CB: Joe Haden, Ike Taylor, Chimdi Chekwa, Mike Adams

SS: T.J. Ward

FS: Deunta Williams

_________

QB: Colt McCoy, Seneca Wallace, Jake Delhomme, Jarrett Brown

RB: Peyton Hillis, Steve Slaton, Montario Hardesty

WR: Joshua Cribbs, Mohamed Massaquoi, Carlton Mitchell, Brian Robiskie, Johnathan Haggerty

TE: Benjamin Watson, Evan Moore

LT: Joe Thomas

LG: Eric Steinbach

C: Alex Mack, Billy Yates

RG: Shawn Luvao, Floyd Womack

RT: Tyson Clabo, Tony Pashos

Best Overall Attempt

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 27: A Cleveland Browns fan cheers against the Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 27, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Why is "Mike" excited? Because he's seen the results of this attempt.

This, in my opinion, is the best overall attempt of them all:

1 (6) - Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

2 (37) - Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina

3 (70) - Sam Acho, DE, Texas

4 (101) - Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh

5 (134) - Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh

6 (163) - Mario Harvey, LB, Marshall

6 (165) - Eric Hagg, S, Nebraska

The free agents:

• Sidney Rice, WR Minnesota
• Tyson Clabo, OT Atlanta

The Trade:

Green Bay Gives: Nick Barnett, ILB

Cleveland Gives: Mohammed Massaquoi, WR; 2012 fourth round draft pick

The Roster:

DE: Sam Acho, Greg Romeus, Travis Ivey, Matt Roth

DT: Ahtyba Rubin, Marvin Austin, Robaire Smith, Brian Schaefering

WLB: D'Qwell Jackson, Mario Harvey

MLB: Nick Barnett, Marcus Benard

SLB: Scott Fujita, Chris Gocong

CB: Joe Haden, Patrick Peterson, Eric Wright, Mike Adams

SS: T.J. Ward

FS: Sheldon Brown, Eric Hagg

______

QB: Colt McCoy, Seneca Wallace, Jake Delhomme, Jarrett Brown

RB: Peyton Hillis, Dion Lewis, Montario Hardesty

WR: Sidney Rice, Joshua Cribbs, Brian Robiskie, Carlton Mitchell, Johnathan Haggerty

TE: Benjamin Watson, Evan Moore

LT: Joe Thomas

LG: Eric Steinbach

C: Alex Mack, Billy Yates

RG: Shawn Luvao, Floyd Womack

RT: Tyson Clabo, Tony Pashos

Your Opinion?

A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images

A young punter lines up a kick as the Cleveland Browns mascot watches during the Special Olympics February 8, 2006 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Well, how did I do?

What's your favorite attempt?

What did you think of the Houston trade?

These are all questions to be discussed. I'm almost positive most of these situations will not play out, or at least not in the way I predicted. Still, I tried to be as realistic as possible without limiting the possibilities this offseason could bring us.

Note also, I was limited in what I could do. Sticking to the three rules gives me very little wiggle room, and I gave five out of literally dozens of possibilities.

Let me know what you think below.