2011 NFL Mock Draft: Cleveland Browns Needs, Strategy and Top 6 Overall Picks

This article will break down the team needs and draft strategy I think the Cleveland Browns should employ for the 2011 NFL Draft.  It will also include a pseudo mock draft of the first six picks.  It won't be a prediction of what I think the first six picks will be, but more what each of those teams should do.  They may coincide, they may not.
 
First, a position-by-position breakdown of the offense.

Quarterback

I am not convinced the Browns have a franchise quarterback on their roster.  However, I have seen enough from Colt McCoy where I want to at least see him get a shot as the starting quarterback for an entire year. 

In addition, I don't believe there is a surefire franchise quarterback in this draft class.  I wouldn't spend a first-round pick on any of the quarterbacks in this year's draft. 

With Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme currently on the roster, I believe the Browns should pass on drafting a quarterback altogether.  Drafting a late-round developmental quarterback makes little to no sense when you already have a young quarterback in Colt McCoy on the roster. 

The fact Andrew Luck could be available next year just lends to passing on quarterback altogether this year.

 
Offensive Line

I think the Browns have a pretty solid O-Line.  Joe Thomas is a perennial Pro Bowler at LT.  Steinbach and Mack help anchor the left side of the line as well.  Shawn Lauvao should be given the opportunity to start at RG this year. 

The biggest question marks remain at RT and depth in general.  Tony Pashos could make a decent starting RT, but he has battled injuries lately.  I don't think a high-round pick should be spent on the O-Line, but it wouldn't hurt to draft a young tackle later in the draft to groom in case Pashos gets injured again or even just to give Joe Thomas a breather every now and then.

Running Back and Fullback

Peyton Hillis showed his capability last year as a starting running back/battering ram.  If Montario Hardesty comes back healthy, I like him as the backup. 

However, I believe there is a huge hole for a third-down type of back.  The Browns need a Reggie Bush or Darren Sproles type for third down.  Think back to the Browns' most recent glory days when Eric Metcalf was on the team.  They need that type of running back desperately in my opinion. 

Fullback should be set with Vickers.  He is great at opening up holes in the running game.

Tight End

Ben Watson showed he was a prudent signing last year.  He should be the No. 1 TE on the roster, no questions asked.  Evan Moore's pass-catching ability should make him the automatic No. 2 TE in the newly implemented West Coast offense. 

Alex Smith is decent enough as the third string TE.  Not a pressing need in my opinion.

 
Wide Receiver 

The Browns sorely lack a go-to No. 1 wide receiver.  Massaquoi, Robiskie, Carlton Mitchell and Cribbs all should have a guaranteed spot on the roster.  However, none of them are No. 1 wide receivers in my opinion.  I think the Browns need to look relatively early in the draft for a possible No. 1 receiver and pick up a veteran wideout to tutor these young guys as well.
 
Second, a position-by-position breakdown of the defense.

Defensive Line

Easily the biggest area of need for the team.  The only sure thing is Ahtyba Rubin at one of the DT spots.  That leaves a hole at the other DT spot as well as both DE spots.  This area needs to be addressed early and often in the draft.

 
Linebacker

Personally, I feel the most overstated position of need by many others.  If healthy, D'Qwell Jackson could be a stud at MLB.  Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong should be the starting OLBs.  Nothing really excites you in terms of depth, but it does exist. 

If the Browns draft any LB, they should all come late in the draft after the main areas of need are addressed.

 
Cornerback

Joe Haden showed flashes of greatness down the stretch last year.  I think Sheldon Brown still has enough gas left in the tank to play opposite of him next year as well. 

I hope Eric Wright is brought back as the nickel corner.  I know he had a down year last year, but I think that is more of a fluke than anything.  Not a huge need unless Sheldon Brown gets moved to free safety.

 
Safety

T.J. Ward could make WRs think twice about coming over the middle of the field for the next decade from the SS position.  FS needs to be addressed either by moving Sheldon Brown or by drafting one in the first few rounds.
 

Special teams

Phil Dawson was wisely designated with the franchise tag;  Pontbriand may be the best long snapper in the league;  Hodges does a serviceable job as the punter;  the Browns would be crazy to spend a draft pick at any of these positions this year.
 
To summarize, I believe the following are the Browns' biggest needs in order; 1. DE, 2. DT, 3. WR, 4. 3rd-down RB, 5. FS, 6. Backup OT.

Mock Draft
 
With the first pick in the draft, I believe the Carolina Panthers should take Nick Fairley.  They have a need along the defensive line, especially stopping the run, and Fairley is one of the top talents in the draft.  I think he could turn into a slightly inferior version of Warren Sapp.
 
With the second pick in the draft, I believe the Denver Broncos should take Patrick Peterson.  They have virtually nothing in their defensive backfield other than Champ Bailey, who is getting old.  Peterson is the safest player in the draft in my opinion.  Pairing him with Champ Bailey would be a fantastic idea in terms of production and as a mentor.
 
With the third pick in the draft, I believe the Buffalo Bills should take Marcell Dareus.  The Bills like to flip-flop between the 3-4 and the 4-3.  Dareus is versatile to fit either scheme (I believe he fits best as a 3-4 DE).  They have a need along the DL as well.  Von Miller may be tempting as a pass rusher from the OLB position, and I would not fault them if they took him instead.
 
With the fourth pick in the draft, I believe the Cincinnati Bengals should take Da'Quan Bowers.  The Bengals pass rush was woeful last year other than the late development of Carlos Dunlap towards the end of the year.  Pairing Bowers with Dunlap could turn the Bengals defense up several notches.  I feel the knee issues with Bowers have been overstated and he is the player I most hope ends up falling to the Browns.
 
With the fifth pick in the draft, I believe the Arizona Cardinals should take Von Miller.  This is a no-brainer if he is on the board in my opinion.  The Cardinals desperately need a pass rush from the OLB position and Miller projects perfectly to that role.
 
This leaves the Browns in a sticky situation in my opinion.  The three DLs worth drafting this high would all be gone.  I would consider taking Peterson if he was still on the board due to his immense talent, even though it isn't the greatest area of need. 

The only logical options are A.J. Green, Prince Amukamara or trade down since any other player would be a major reach in my opinion.  Amukamara is nowhere near the elite talent that Peterson is in my opinion.  That coupled with CB not being a huge need would lead me to pass on him. 
 
Personally, I would trade down to pick up some extra draft picks.  I think the Browns need extra picks if they are going to turn things around.  For my current view on where the Browns rank in terms of winning a Super Bowl versus the other titleless teams, you can see the slideshow article here.
 
The greatest hope is that one of the teams ahead of the Browns reaches for either Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert.  That would more than likely result in one of the top three DL dropping to them—that, or the Bengals taking A.J. Green.  In the end, I think one of those things will happen.  If not, then I guess I would begrudgingly take A.J. Green.
 
With that said, I think the Browns' draft strategy should play out as follows:

 
First Round: DL; either Bowers, Fairley or Dareus in that order.

Second Round: WR; I like Baldwin out of the University of Pittsburgh in terms of No. 1 WR potential.

Third Round: DL; position depends on who they took in the first round.

Fourth Round: Third-down RB; I think guys like Shane Vereen or Noel Devine could both be available as nice fits.

Fifth Round: Best FS or OL prospect available.

Sixth Round: Best FS or OL prospect available; not taking the same position as fifth round, obviously.

Sixth Round: With the second sixth-rounder, take the best player left on the board from any of the positions of need.
 
Let me know what you think.