NFL Draft 2011: 10 Things You Won't See from the Cleveland Browns on Draft Day
Historically, the Cleveland Browns have not fared well in the NFL Draft until the coming of team president Mike Holmgren. The Browns had an extremely successful draft under Holmgren in 2010, but what should we expect him to do in 2011?
The Browns definitely need a wide receiver, but are they willing to trade up two spots if the Bengals want A.J. Green?
For Cleveland, there are obvious needs on the defensive line and in the linebacking corps too. There's a lot of flexibility and several options for the Browns in the first two rounds, but should we expect the team to trade up or down, like George Kokinis and Phil Savage previously did?
As an added twist, general manager Tom Heckert had a history of taking the best player available (regardless of needs) with the Eagles, but he might need to reconsider his strategy if, let's say, Julio Jones is the best receiver available at pick No. 6.
With so many possible scenarios, nobody knows what Holmgren will do, but it's easier to guess what he will avoid on draft day. On that note, let's take a look.
Trade Up in the First Round to Acquire A.J. Green.
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Here's the deal. The Browns need a solid wide receiver much more than any other team in the NFL at the moment.
Green is everything he's advertised, with a great combination of size and speed, but you shouldn't expect the Browns to trade picks with the Bengals to get him.
Cleveland has a high pick in every round they hold one and nobody knows what the asking price may be from Cincinnati, considering the team's current situation is a mess in terms of age (Palmer, Johnson) and talent.
Secondly, the 2011 NFL Draft showcases an assortment of quality receivers most general managers haven't seen. If Cleveland doesn't get Green, there's Julio Jones still on the board. In the second round, the Browns can consider Randall Cobb, Jonathan Baldwin, Leonard Hankerson, Greg Little or Titus Young as well.
The possibilities are endless at receiver this year, which is why Holmgren won't jeopardize his entire draft just to have Green.
Draft Cam Newton.
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Cam Newton worked out for the Browns recently, but Holmgren knows how to throw smoke screens, especially when considering his NFL experience.
The biggest downside to drafting Newton is the fact that the Browns don't actually have a hole to fill at the quarterback position. Colt McCoy managed the majority of his games extremely well last season and beat premier teams like the Patriots and Saints. McCoy also has an automatic advantage over Newton because of his NFL experience in a West Coast offense.
Drafting Newton has other disastrous possibilities too.
If the Browns select a quarterback that high, the front office is basically inferring some sort of uneasy feeling about its current quarterback situation. Having another quarterback pressuring McCoy might make him better, but will likely mess with his head since he has yet to be a full-time starter.
Newton's skill set is special, but he won't even start immediately for the Browns. He actually makes the least sense out of any top-10 talent for the Browns to draft.
Draft Any Quarterback.
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To follow up on the unlikeliness that Cleveland will draft Newton, it should also be mentioned that the Browns probably won't draft any quarterback.
In rounds three and four, names like Christian Ponder and Andy Dalton might be around, but they won't exactly be considered "steals." Instead of pressuring McCoy by drafting another quarterback, the Browns can continue to pad the defensive line or linebacking corps with more solid options.
Guys like Mason Foster of Washington and Greg Jones of Michigan State are considered "ball hawks" and can easily start for the Browns in the new 4-3 scheme.
In addition, the Browns might find better options than John St. Clair at right tackle. These rookies will be more effective and won't cost as much.
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Make Trades with Division Rivals.
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The Steelers went to the Super Bowl in 2010, and the Ravens lost to those same Steelers in the AFC Divisional Round.
Both teams are still loaded with mature talent, but are also aging quickly at certain positions. For example, the Steelers have an injured offensive line and a very thin squad of cornerbacks, while the Ravens' entire secondary is rotting.
Now is the time for the Browns to let their division counterparts die slowly, because the Orange and Brown are probably thinking about returning to the playoffs within the next two years.
Holmgren should think to himself, "No matter how much help I can increase my value in this draft, I shouldn't be the one who's guilty of giving these teams any key pieces or acquisitions."
Both Baltimore and Pittsburgh select near the bottom of every round and will be thirsty to move up if the opportunity presents itself.
Trade Down in the First Round.
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Green is most likely the top man on Cleveland's wish list, but Holmgren won't fret if Cincinnati takes him.
As mentioned earlier, Julio Jones will still be on the board at No. 6, and even if he's projected to go later than fifth, the Browns won't trade down to get him.
Here's why:
First of all, there's always a chance that Marcell Dareus or Von Miller will be available, especially if the Panthers draft Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton, and the Broncos take Patrick Peterson.
Aside from Dareus and Miller, the Browns can always select Robert Quinn or Da'Quan Bowers as viable options to help the team's embarrassing defensive line situation; the Browns only have three starters in the new 4-3 scheme.
Also, in this year's draft, there isn't a player who will definitely get drafted by a certain team. Holmgren can't take the risk of moving down.
The Browns got Alex Mack by trading down in 2009, but trading draft picks also resulted in Brady Quinn being drafted. Clearly, it's a risk-reward situation that Cleveland's front office will likely avoid.
The bottom line is that a higher draft position means a better quality player.
Avoid Drafting a Receiver in the First and Second Rounds.
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This slide is probably the least likely to happen on the entire list.
Since the Browns aren't pursuing any big-name free agents or wily veterans to help McCoy, the only other way to improve the passing game is through the draft.
With so many receivers to choose from, Holmgren will weigh his options carefully in the first round. He can bolster the defense early and get a guy like Leonard Hankerson or Randall Cobb in the second.
In the first two rounds, there's a chance that eight to 10 receivers are picked, which would eliminate Holmgren's chances of getting someone extremely effective in the third round or later.
Both Joe Haden and T.J. Ward were rookie starters on defense last season, so some balance might be necessary for the offense now.
The Browns haven't drafted a receiver in the first round since Braylon Edwards, and he's no longer with the team. Cleveland will add a receiver very early—it's almost a guarantee.
Draft a Running Back Before Round 4.
7 of 10Peyton Hillis was a savior from God for the Browns last season. He was acquired along with a sixth-round pick from the Broncos for Brady Quinn, but might soon be feeling the effects of a heavy workload, right?
No.
The Browns still have a forgotten man with explosive speed by the name of Montario Hardesty. He tore his ACL during the 2010 preseason and hasn't gotten a regular-season snap in his career yet.
When watching film of Hardesty, it's almost as if he's being controlled with joysticks in a video game. He'll surely take some pressure off Hillis and will add a speed element that the Browns haven't gotten from recent running backs.
If the Browns do take a running back, it might be a guy like Noel Devine in the fourth or fifth round. He can return kicks/punts and serve as a second threat alongside Josh Cribbs.
Running back is probably the most secured position for Cleveland right now.
Pass on Marcell Dareus at No. 6.
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Marcell Dareus is everything the Browns dream of in a defensive lineman.
First of all, he fills a major hole in defensive coordinator Dick Jauron's new 4-3 scheme.
Dareus played for an extremely successful football school at Alabama, so you know he's already a determined winner. While at Alabama, Dareus' stats weren't "through the roof" only because he shared the spotlight with several other stars like Rolando McClain.
Dareus has the ability to clog running lanes with his 6'3", 319-pound build. Perhaps what's most special about him is his second-move ability at the line of scrimmage. This savage beast has a bag of tricks in case he's "stopped" at the line, but Dareus also has great closing speed too.
Dareus can be seen sacking the one and only Cam Newton during a major SEC game against Auburn in 2010. He climbed the draft charts quietly, and the Browns are keeping their fingers crossed, hoping that Dareus falls to pick No. 6.
Draft a Tight End.
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In this year's draft, aside from Notre Dame's Kyle Rudolph and Arkansas' D.J. Williams, there isn't a tight end worth bragging about.
Cleveland already has Ben Watson, who was a favorite target of McCoy last season. Second-string man Evan Moore made some spectacular catches as well.
The Browns already have tight ends who can block and a veteran route-runner in Watson. Wide receiver and offensive line are the only two current concerns for Holmgren on offense, and like the rest of NFL scouts and coaches, he probably hasn't given any tight end much thought.
McCoy played with Jermichael Finley at Texas, but he loved Jordan Shipley a lot more. It's a sign—draft an extra receiver instead of a tight end.
Avoid Drafting a DL/DE in Rounds 1 and 2.
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Rivaling the awfulness of Cleveland's receiving corps is the team's defensive line.
As mentioned earlier, the Browns don't even have four defensive lineman ready for the new 4-3 scheme.
If Cleveland drafts a defensive lineman in the first round, it means they'll probably take receiver in the second round or vice versa. Dareus, Robert Quinn and Da'Quan Bowers will be popular names in Cleveland's green room on draft day.
As another option, nobody knows how far Auburn's Nick Fairley will fall, as his name has disappeared from the top-10 prospects on ESPN, and he might drift to the bottom of the first round. If the Browns take a wide receiver at No. 5, they might trade back into the first round to draft Fairley. His potential could be too great to pass up.
The Browns will add to the defensive line in the first two rounds, just watch.
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