2011 NFL Draft: Robert Quinn May Be the Best Bet for the Cleveland Browns

If Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green gets scooped up by AFC North rival Cincinnati with the No. 4 pick in this year’s NFL draft, look for the Cleveland Browns to address their porous defensive line with their top selection.

The top four DL candidates to be selected by the Browns are Marcell Dareus (Alabama), Da’Quan Bowers (Clemson), Nick Fairley (Auburn) and Robert Quinn (North Carolina). Each one of these guys is replete with talent, but each also comes with his share of baggage.

The best bet for the Browns in the defensive lineman sweepstakes will probably be Quinn, although associating the Browns with that surname in the draft does have some negative connotations.

The two concerns about Quinn are: (1) He was suspended by the NCAA in 2010 for his part in an agent scandal, and (2) he underwent brain surgery to alleviate mind-numbing headaches as a senior in high school, although all indications are that he has successfully recovered.

Quinn is the best choice of the foursome because he has no major injury limitations at this point and he has explosive pass rushing potential (11 sacks, 19 tackles for losses and six forced fumbles in 2009). If he can add about 15 to 20 pounds of muscle to his 6'5", 265-pound frame, he will be able to provide better run protection as well. He also had a great pro day, displaying a 4.59 time in the 40 and a 33” vertical leap.

Fairley, Dareus and Bowers may actually have a higher ceiling than Quinn, but the Browns certainly cannot afford to whiff (i.e., Courtney Brown, and Gerard Warren) with this critical selection.

Fairley (6'4", 295) is another natural talent who demonstrates off-the-line quickness similar to another Browns legend, Michael Dean Perry. The 2010 Lombardi Award winner really showed what he could do in Auburn’s 24-17 win over LSU last season, contributing three sacks and spending the entire afternoon in LSU’s backfield.

Fairley’s draft stock has dropped somewhat of late, mainly due to his penchant for overly aggressive play that can result in costly penalties. If the Browns decide to pass on Quinn, Fairley would the next logical choice with just slightly more risk than Quinn.

Dareus (6'3", 319), who more than likely will not be available when the Browns select, was suspended for two games for taking part in spring trips that might have involved improper agent contact. His potential for dominance in the NFL has certainly grabbed Broncos coach John Fox’s attention. Look for Fox to grab Dareus with the second overall pick.

If Dareus slips to No. 6, he would certainly look good as a DT in the Browns’ 4-3. Last season, no one in the country created more of a push into an opponent’s backfield than Dareus.

The Browns, however, are a pass-rush starved team and Quinn would certainly help more in that particular area.  Some scouts are also concerned with Dareus’ short arms and his potential to gain weight.

Bowers had 15.5 sacks last season while showing almost limitless potential, but a partially torn meniscus in his knee is not something you can dismiss casually. There’s a possibility that Bowers plays the role of a spectator in 2011 and that’s a luxury the Browns cannot afford.