2011 NFL Mock Draft: Who Is on Their Way to the Cleveland Browns?

Every April, Cleveland has its own Super Bowl.

The NFL draft is the biggest part of the season for us here in C-Town, because we all believe this is the year we will get it right and the fate of the franchise will change...and every year we end up with a lottery pick instead.

This year is no different. 

The Browns enter the 2011 draft with the sixth overall pick and with the new regime showing they can draft pretty well after getting three very good starters in last year's class (Haden, Ward, McCoy), the glimmer of hope is on its way to a full-scale bonfire on the shores of Lake Erie.

And now, with the sixth pick in the 2011 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns select...

Round 1, No. 6: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

Robert Quinn is a raw, talented monster. Watch the video above. Look at the move he puts on Castonzo (who many feel is the top OT in this draft). He looks like a raw Dwight Freeney.

As talented as he is, picking Quinn also fills a huge need for the Browns. With the team moving to the 4-3 D, and having zero defensive ends, I see this pick as a no-brainer.

While it would be nice to get a stud wideout for McCoy, the scheme on offense will focus on the system putting the players in position to make plays and will make the wideout a much smaller need then a pass-rushing DE.

Round 2, No. 37: Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 7: Marvin Austin #9 of the North Carolina Tar Heels rushes against Brian Moore #68 of the Duke Blue Devils at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

In the second round, I believe the Browns will stay with the Tar Heels and choose DT Marvin Austin.

Austin has the talent to be first-round pick. He also has the knack for taking a few plays off. When he wants to be, he is the best player on the field. He is just the quick, disruptive force the Browns need between Ahtyba Rubin and Quinn.

If defensive coordinator, Dick Jauron, can get the full potential out of Austin, this pick will be a steal.

Round 3, No. 70: Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida

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KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Frankie Hammond #85 celebrates with teammate Marcus Gilbert #76 of the Florida Gators after scoring a touchdown aganst the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won 31

With their selection in the third round, the Browns will turn to their biggest need on the offensive side of the ball: the right side of the O-line. 

Gilbert is a massive physical specimen, and by looking at him you would think he is a mauler and a beast of a run blocker, but that is not the case. He is average in the run aspect, but a much better pass blocker. 

He has the talent and size to be a high pick but he tends to play high, and stop moving his feet at times, which will get him in trouble at the next level.

If Gilbert puts in the work, shows the effort and the will to get better, the Browns will finally have the RT to put across from Joe Thomas for the next 6-8 years.

Round 4, No. 102: Edmond Gates, WR, Abilene Christian

In the fourth round I expect the Browns to remain offensive, and select Edmond Gates—a speedy 6'1" receiver from little Abilene Christian.

Gates is a DeSean Jackson clone. He has great hands (though he will drop a ball from time to time due to lack of concentration), top-notch speed and the ability to run after the catch that will set him apart from any of the other wideouts on this roster.

The downside to Gates is that he is somewhat of a late bloomer. He will enter the league as a 25-year-old rookie, but with incredible upside, and in this offense he will have a chance to be special.

Round 5, No. 137: Pat Devlin, QB, Delaware

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Pat Devlin #7 of the Penn State Nittany Lions hands off the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 25, 2008 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

In the fifth round, I will expect Holmgren to do what he does best, and that is draft a QB. Every year, no matter who he had at QB (Favre, Hasselbeck), he always has drafted another player at the position, and this year will be no different.

Devlin is a very good project at this point in the draft. He was a former No. 1 recruit who went to Penn St. before transferring to Delaware. He has a Joe Flacco story, but he is not Joe Flacco.

Devlin is accurate, probably as accurate as anyone at the position at any level, but has only average arm strength.

He is definitely a project, but with the right coaching, and hard work on his part to improve footwork, he can be a very serviceable QB in the NFL for years to come. 

Round 6, No. 168: Chykie Brown, CB, Texas

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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 07: Cornerback Chykie Brown #8 of the Texas Longhorns practices before a game against the UCF Knights on November 7, 2009 at Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Texas won 35-3. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Ima

In the sixth round, the Browns have two selections, the first of which they received from Denver in the Peyton Hillis trade.

With Denver's selection the Browns will address the secondary and select Chykie Brown from Texas.

If you were building a prototypical CB, it would be Brown. 

He is a 5'11", 190-pound physical specimen, who is fast, strong and doesn't mind trying to tackle. He has long arms and is very good in press coverage but can also play well in zone.

Doesn't really sound like a sixth-round pick, does he?

That is where the downside comes in. Brown is the type of player that will make you want to put your head through a wall. He has all the talent in the world but it only shows at times.

He is a project with a lot of upside and this is the perfect spot to take a risk, so the Browns should do so.

He could be a 10-year starter, or out of the league in two years.

Round 6, No. 170: Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Mark Herzlich #94 of the Boston College Eagles carries the ball after he intercepted a pass from Tyrod Taylor of the Virginia Tech Hokies on September 25, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Virginia

With their final selection in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft, the Browns will take one of the draft's best stories.

They will select Boston College LB Mark Herzlich, who will only drop to this point due to medical issues.

Herzlich missed a year of his college career while fighting cancer, but returned last season to play fairly well and show everyone that he can still fight and play the game he loves.

Herzlich is a linebacker's linebacker. He is tough, gritty and strong, and a fiery on-field leader. He loves to hit and can dominate at times against the run while playing inside or outside at the linebacker position. Even if he does not start immediately at the position he will be a great special-teamer, and will also step in and play whatever role is needed of him.

The downside on Herzlich is that he is still coming back from his battle with cancer and may not be 100 percent for a few more years. He also has a tendency to tackle high, causing him to wrestle the ball carrier to the ground at times. Other than that, Herzlich is a phenomenal talent at this point in the draft, and will be a joy to watch for the fans in C-Town. 

Round 7, No. 248: Brandon Bair, DE/DT, Oregon

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Nick Foles #8 of the Arizona Wildcats is helped up by defensive end Brandon Bair #88 of the Oregon Ducks in the fourth quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the ga

As I stated earlier the Browns have nothing on the defensive line so I would not be surprised to see them select 3-4 linemen throughout the draft.

Bair is a guy with good size and quickness. He has a tendency to make plays off the ball because he is a hard worker, with a high motor. He is an all out effort guy, makes up for his lack of talent by working harder then anyone on the field.

The downside to Bair is that he will be a 26 year old rookie. He also is not an outstanding athlete, and will struggle at times. 

He is a very good player, and at this point in the draft he is a player who will have a very good chance at making the roster.