NFL Mock Draft 2011: Cleveland Browns and the "Dog Pound" Need Help Everywhere

Last year, I did a mock draft for the Denver Broncos due to them getting so much attention leading up to the draft. This year, for some reason, I feel drawn to the Cleveland Browns. They have a very good spot in the draft this year at No. 6, and it seems they have decided to switch back to the 4-3 defensive scheme.

If the dog pound doesn't mind, I would like to give my best crack at a few players I think should be on their radar come April. Feel free to tell me how terrible it is, as you the fans have a much better idea of what is going on up there than I.

1. DE: DaQuan Bowers Clemson 6'3", 280

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

I don't think I'll get many arguments here. Cleveland needs help everywhere on defense, and Bowers is the best player available.

2. MLB Martez Wilson Illinois 6'4", 250

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 03: Linebacker Martez Wilson #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on the bench against the Minnesota Golden at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 3, 2007 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Illinois defeated Minnesota 44-17. (P

Again, having the No. 6 pick in the draft puts Cleveland in the perfect spot to pick up some very talented players. Keeping with the strategy of drafting defense, Wilson is simply too great a player to pass up. He will be the man in the middle for the next five to 10 years.

3. QB Andy Dalton TCU 6'2", 215

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs holds the offensive player of the game trophy after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers 21-19 in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ste

I think I heard Mike Holmgren say that he will definitely draft another quarterback this year. There are two quarterbacks that instantly come to mind that would fit his system—Christian Ponder and Andy Dalton. Although Ponder could be the better quarterback, he would come at the expense of Martez Wilson.

That's simply too much of a price to pay. Dalton is not far behind Ponder in skill set—if at all. He would offer some competition for the starting job to Colt McCoy and gives Holmgren another option down the road if McCoy is to struggle.

4. OT Joseph Barksdale LSU 6'5", 325

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Joseph Barksdale #78 of the LSU Tigers holds the trophy while celebrating a 41-24 win against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martin

The Browns do seem to have one glaring need on offense, and that's the position opposite Joe Thomas. Joseph Barksdale is a very underrated player that would be able to play right away at the right tackle position.

5. DT Sione Fua Stanford 6'2", 308

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 09: Sione Fua #92 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after he sacked Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans at Stanford Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

I really think that Cleveland has enough guys currently on the roster to fill the two open defensive tackle positions. However, from what I've read, fans seem to want to bring in a new defensive tackle to add to the rotation.

6. (No. 163) TE Charlie Gantt Michigan State 6'4", 252

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 08: Charlie Gantt #83 of the Michigan State Spartans runs the ball against Torri Williams #2 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium on November 8, 2008 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

One need I think the Browns could fill is at tight end. Benjamin Watson is going on 31 and will begin to slow down this season.

It's very important to get Colt McCoy a legitimate target at tight end so the West-Coast offense can operate effectively. Gantt is a very good route runner, has great size and is also a very effective blocker.

6. (No. 165) DE Cliff Matthews South Carolina 6'4" 257

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 25: Cliff Matthews #83 of the South Carolina Gamecocks against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Cliff Matthews is another underrated guy that I think can play outside linebacker as well as defensive end.

He's one of those guys that you just have to find a place for, and he also brings a lot of value this late in the draft.

His best year was in '09 when he compiled 47 tackles and seven sacks.