2011 NFL Draft: A.J. Green and the Cleveland Browns' Top 10 Early Targets
Mike Holmgren has the city of Cleveland excited about football again, even after only one year as the president of the Browns. The key to success, in Holmgren's mind, is the NFL draft.
His 2010 draft went extremely well, producing immediate starters like Joe Haden and T.J. Ward.
For 2011, the Browns still have some holes to fill at wide receiver, linebacker and the entire defensive line. Who can Mike Holmgren draft in the first three rounds in order to get the team in gear with new head coach Pat Shurmur?
Top talents like A.J. Green of Georgia and Marcell Dareus of Alabama could be available when Cleveland selects sixth in the first round.
What or who else should the Browns be looking for on draft day? Let's take a look...
Round 1: A.J. Green (WR, Georgia)
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A.J. Green is projected to be drafted fourth overall to the Bengals by ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.
Kiper also called Green the most talented player in the draft.
Green has the size and speed to make an immediate difference in the Cleveland passing game, which finished last (32nd) in 2010. The Browns need a big-play receiver to ease Colt McCoy's development process and open up the running game a little bit more.
Cleveland has youth on its side, so Green will be able to come in and grow together with his teammates. He has incredible potential, even though he never reached 1,000 receiving yards in a season during his time at Georgia.
Green would fit great with the Browns.
Round 1: Marcell Dareus (DT, Alabama)
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Marcell Dareus was part of a "super squad" at Alabama, so his numbers weren't always great.
However, after an unbelievable combine where he passed every other defensive tackle on the big board, Dareus has been getting consideration to be the top pick in the draft.
Browns general manager Tom Heckert called Dareus "relentless." Scouts have Dareus listed at 6'3'' and 319 pounds.
Playing in a 4-3 defensive scheme instead of a 3-4 (at Alabama) will give Dareus more opportunities to attack the quarterback. Even if he doesn't get sacks, Dareus' presence will be felt on every play.
Round 1: Von Miller (OLB, Texas A&M)
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Von Miller is a terrific talent, and the Browns would benefit from having an impact linebacker.
Miller recorded 27.5 sacks over the past two seasons at Texas A&M and won the Butkus Award as college football's top linebacker in 2010.
CBS Sport's Chad Reuter says Miller is still raw as a coverage player, but he's fluid and quick enough to be elite.
Linebacker isn't Cleveland's biggest need, but the Browns might not be able to pass on this kind of talent if Miller is around at the No. 6 pick.
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Round 1: Da'Quan Bowers (DE, Clemson)
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Several scouts are skeptical about Da'Quan Bowers' pro day workout, but defensive end is a major need for the Browns.
He has explosive speed off the edge and can get to the quarterback by abusing his opponents with his upper body.
Bowers can probably help Cleveland's run defense immediately. Bowers had tons of experience at Clemson, particularly from the strong side. He recorded 15.5 sacks in 2010, a category Cleveland should definitely bolster during the draft.
Round 2: Jonathan Baldwin (WR, Pittsburgh)
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In a draft loaded with wide receivers, Cleveland might wait until the second round to draft one.
Jonathan Baldwin is a likely candidate for the Browns in Round 2.
He has immense size at 6'4'' and weighs 225 pounds. At Pitt's recent pro day, CBS Sports called Baldwin "the biggest standout." He ran 18 scripted routes extremely well and is expected to be the third or fourth wide receiver taken in the draft.
Baldwin is long and has great jumping ability. His frame often prevents him from blazing past defenders, but Colt McCoy could surely use a big target.
In a West Coast offense based on shorter receiving routes instead of speed, Baldwin will be able to muscle his opponents at the line of scrimmage.
Round 2: Allen Bailey (DE, Miami)
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Allen Bailey continues to climb draft charts. He's a hybrid defensive end/tackle and uses his strength instead of speed to get to the quarterback.
As more of a bull-rusher at 6'3'' and 285 pounds, the Browns could definitely use someone on the line who could occupy both an offensive guard and a tackle.
Bailey is an experienced 4-3 defensive lineman, so he'll fit nicely in the Browns' new scheme.
If New England passes on Bailey at the end of the first round, there's a chance he'll slip to Cleveland if Carolina drafts a defensive lineman with the first pick.
Keep an eye out for Bailey.
Round 2: Stephen Paea (DT, Oregon State)
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Although Stephen Paea is rehabbing from knee surgery in January, he will have recovered by draft day.
Paea set a combine record with 49 reps of 225 pounds, as his strength is off the charts.
He measures at 6'1'' and 295 pounds and plays more of a run-stopping role on the defensive line. He shows shades of Vince Wilfork or Casey Hampton.
Again, the Browns are desperate for help on the defensive line, and because size isn't something you can teach, Paea will make an immediate impact for the defense.
Paea will become more of a quarterback's nightmare with time, but because of his strength and build, Cleveland should consider drafting him.
Round 3: Curtis Brown (CB, Texas)
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Curtis Brown is Texas' biggest defensive standout in the 2011 draft.
Although the Browns drafted Joe Haden and acquired Sheldon Brown in 2010, there are still questions surrounding Eric Wright and the solidity of Cleveland's cornerbacks.
Brown is undersized, but he's easily one of the best man-to-man defensive backs in the draft class. He also has great ball skills and speed.
If Mike Holmgren is willing to deal with Brown's questionable character (which should change), he'll be highly considered in the third round.
Brown could go late in the second round if he continues to impress—he's a great talent.
Round 3: Jerrel Jernigan (WR, Troy)
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Jerrel Jernigan is an extremely interesting option for the Browns in Round 3.
If Cleveland decides to draft defense in the first two rounds, Jernigan will give them something different.
He's only 5'9'' and has blazing speed. Jernigan is comparable to DeSean Jackson and he can be used as a weapon on special teams, too.
He will be used as a slot receiver in the Browns' West Coast offense. Cleveland has never had a tiny speed man on the offense since returning to the league in 1999.
Jernigan was the Sun Belt Conference's top offensive talent in recent years, and he's primed to play a significant role in the NFL.
Round 3: Greg Romeus (DE, Pittsburgh)
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What's Greg Romeus' best quality? He has typical NFL size for a defensive end. At 6'5'' and 270 pounds, Romeus fits Cleveland's need of a pass rusher.
Romeus doesn't have the best speed around the corner and his main weakness is the fact that he doesn't use his height to his advantage.
Oftentimes he will try to beat a defender by getting around them instead of moving through them, but he'll learn more techniques as a pro.
The Browns have a very specific need on the defensive line, because they cut David Bowens and Shaun Rogers in the offseason.
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