2011 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns Could Welcome A.J. Green to the Dawg Pound

The Cleveland Browns finished the 2010 season a disappointing 5-11.

Another rough year for what is a passionate and loyal fan base, but the season wasn’t a total waste for the Browns.

Three of their draft choices look to be a promising part of their future and the emergence of Peyton Hillis provided a new fan favorite. Hillis, a former FB, embraced the role of starting tailback and never looked back, rushing for just under 1,200 yards.

Colt McCoy, the second-year QB from Texas, showed why the team believes in him. While not possessing great statistics, McCoy showed the grit and moxie of a veteran, keeping Cleveland in games and making big throws when he needed to.

New head coach Pat Shurmur is known as a QB guru. Shurmur got the job in part due to his work with rookie of the year, Sam Bradford. Shurmur will install Mike Holmgren’s favored West Coast offense, which McCoy appears to be an ideal fit.

Cleveland has a solid offensive line anchored by Pro Bowl LT Joe Thomas. The running game should be strong again with the return of Hillis and Montario Hardesty, who missed his rookie season due to injury.

On defense, new coordinator Dick Jauron will install the 4-3 defense. The Browns have been running the 3-4 for several years so finding the personnel to make this change will be imperative.

The Browns' three biggest needs:

Defensive Line 

There doesn’t appear to be a lot of talent already here that is experienced with the 4-3.

Defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin appears to be solid. Outside of him, the other three spots could be improved upon.

Da’Quan Bowers and Robert Quinn would both bolster the DE position as well as the pass rush. Bowers stock has dropped so he doesn’t appear to be an option here.

Quinn has the size and speed to be an elite pass-rusher. He would not be a reach with the sixth overall pick.

Nick Fairley could also be in play; Fairley could be paired with Rubin to form a solid duo.

Wide Receiver

Former 2009 second-round picks Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie have been disappointments thus far.

Massaquoi did show some promise, but has not yet delivered consistency.

Josh Cribbs is an excellent football player, but he is more of a multi-purpose weapon than he is a starting WR. He will continue to get snaps at WR, but they will be limited so he can contribute in other areas.

The Browns appear to be in good position to have a shot at the two best WRs, A.J. Green and Julio Jones. While one may be before the Browns pick, the other should be available.

Either would be an excellent selection with the sixth pick and give the Browns a true No. 1 WR for years to come.

Middle Linebacker 

With the transition to the 4-3, the Browns need a true middle linebacker.

Scott Fujita can play the position, but he is better suited to the outside. D’Qwell Jackson appears to be penciled in on the weak side.

Greg Jones of Michigan State and Martez Wilson of Illinois are the two best MLB prospects in this draft. Jones is considered a lock to go in the second round while Wilson has an outside shot of going at the end of round one.

Either of these two would be a solid selection with Cleveland’s second pick.

Cleveland appears to be looking at A.J. Green for their first selection. If Green goes to Cincinnati, then perhaps GM Tom Heckert would rather go with a DE over Julio Jones. The players are so similarly talented that either would be an excellent consolation.

In order to get Colt McCoy to the next level, you need to surround him with talented skill players.

That is why A.J. Green or Julio Jones will be a Cleveland Brown in less than two weeks.