2011 NFL Mock Draft: A Final 7-Round Projection for the Cleveland Browns

The NFL Draft is right around the corner; tomorrow, in fact. Most Browns fans are itching to see how much better the team will be after this draft, considering Joe Haden and T.J. Ward both started last season.

In my second and final version of Cleveland's mock draft, you'll notice some changes.

The Browns have some major holes to fill (WR, DT, DE), but how will Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert prioritize them? In the first round, you can bet on the idea that Cleveland would love to have A.J. Green or Patrick Peterson.

If the Browns don't get Green in the first round, the team would most likely take a receiver in rounds two or three, but with the lockout recently being lifted, free agency now comes into play. Carolina Panthers veteran wide receiver Steve Smith just recently made a motion for his dismissal from the team, indicating his probable release. Heckert might now be considering signing a veteran wide out.

As for the middle rounds, you should expect the Browns to load up the defensive line, maybe grab an offensive tackle to get rid of John St. Clair and pad the secondary with added corner back depth.

Who exactly might the Browns target on Thursday? Let's take one final look...

Round 1: A.J. Green (WR, Georgia)

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ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 03: A.J. Green #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs fails to pull in a two-point conversion against Chris Hawkins #29 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Sanford Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Gett

Who doesn't want a playmaker as dangerous as A.J. Green? He's rumored to be drafted by the Bengals with the fourth pick, but considering the Carson Palmer situation and the quarterbacks who might be available (Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert), Green might fall to Cleveland.

He's everything Colt McCoy could ask for in terms of a weapon to further his development as a quarterback, and Green is the type of player you'd build a franchise around.

Green would instantly provide the Browns' receiving corps with an added chemistry, considering he called Mohamed Massaquoi his mentor when they were former teammates at Georgia. Green has been compared to Calvin Johnson because of his leaping ability and his thirst to make the spectacular play.

Even though he missed seven games over his final two seasons at Gerogia, Green left school second in all-time receiving yards and touchdowns (23).

Because Green is a brilliant route runner who almost never drops the ball, McCoy's accuracy, without a doubt his best trait, would be of great use if both of these guys played together. The Browns ranked near the bottom of the league in passing offense last season, but with Green on board, he'd open Cleveland's entire offense.

Having Green fall to No. 6 is a dream come true for the Browns.

Round 2: Stephen Paea (DT, Oregon State)

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PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 06: Derrick Coleman #33 of the UCLA Bruins runs from Stephen Paea #54 of the Oregon State Beavers at the Rose Bowl on November 6, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

There isn't a bigger need for the Browns than to bolster the defensive line. Not only does Stephen Paea provide massive size in the middle that Cleveland formerly had (Shaun Rogers, Ted Washington), but he brings ridiculous strength as well.

Paea pumped a 225-pound weight 49 straight times at the combine (it's a record). He was originally a rugby player as a teenager, and moved to the United States to play football while in high school.

Perhaps Paea's best quality as a defensive lineman is his ability to stop the run, because his wide frame will occupy multiple blockers. He is also a guy who won't quit until the whistle, and Paea was voted team co-captain in 2009.

Cleveland has a new 4-3 defense being implemented by Dick Jauron in 2011, and at the moment, the Browns don't even have four starters for the defensive line. More than anything, the Browns need Paea to fill the depth chart and provide some inside pressure. Luckily for Paea, strength can't be taught. He has an automatic advantage coming into the league as a rookie.

Cleveland will probably continue the pattern of drafting defensive linemen in the later rounds.

Round 3: Orlando Franklin (OT, Miami)

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23: Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes lays on the ground as teammate Orlando Franklin #74 looks on after being sacked by the Pittsburgh Panthers on September 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by J

Plain and simply, the Browns' offense can only get better with the replacement of John St. Clair (RT) or Floyd Womack (RG). Orlando Franklin played both left guard and left tackle at Miami, but as a rookie, he can easily make the shift to the other side of the line.

Protecting Colt McCoy's strong side will be critical for the Browns, as we saw him suffer against teams like Pittsburgh and Baltimore in 2010. Also, Peyton Hillis' pace slowed down drastically toward the end the season, and he appeared the run the ball better from the left side.

Franklin is a towering 6-foot-6 and weighs around 315 pounds. Coming from Miami, he'll attempt to follow in the footsteps of Bryant McKinnie. To add to his resume, Franklin played well against both Jake Long (a first overall pick) and Jason Pierre-Paul (first-round, Jaguars) in his college career.

The Browns definitely need more depth on the offensive line, and because Franklin only missed one game in his college career, you can count on his durability. He had surgery this past offseason, but Franklin says he's ready to go.

It's not a flashy pick, but an offensive lineman in the third round means solid value.

Round 4: Mason Foster (LB, Washington)

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 11: Linebacker Mason Foster #40 of the Washington Huskies follows the play during the game against the Syracuse Orange on September 11, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Again, here in round 4, I'm thinking with the mindset that the Browns will address the front seven. After Mike Holmgren released David Bowens, and D'Qwell Jackson's unfortunate injuries, the Browns now lack linebacker depth. 

Like Andra Davis used to be for the Browns, Mason Foster is an outstanding tackler. He was an All-American in 2010, when he recorded a mind-blowing 163 tackles. That number was tops in the Pac-10 and second in the nation. Foster averaged 12.58 tackles per game.

Clearly, he's in an instinctive linebacker with a nose for the ball. Man-to-man coverage isn't his best attribute, but Foster likes to watch the quarterback and roam the field in search of the ball carrier. 

For Foster, the best word to describe him is "impact." He loves contact, and can serve as the leader of Cleveland's front seven. With T.J. Ward already establishing a reputation as a hard hitter, the Browns can have quite a combination if Foster pans out.

Foster has outstanding value as a fourth round pick; Cleveland should take him if presented with the opportunity.

Round 5: Greg Romeus (DE, Pittsburgh)

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LOUISVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 02: Adam Froman #9 of the Louisville Cardinals is sacked by Greg Romeus #91 of the Pittsburgh Panthers during the Big East Conference game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on October 2, 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by An

Greg Romeus is an interesting case for any team who drafts him. With an injury-plagued 2010, his draft status has fluctuated between the third round and the fifth round. If Cleveland is in position to draft him in the fifth, Romeus might be immediately plugged into the starting lineup.

Romeus is a giant at 6-5 and 270 pounds. The fact that he already has NFL size will make things easier for him to adjust as a pass rusher. He definitely possesses versatility, considering he was a basketball star in high school, and some scouts have even recommended Romeus as a linebacker.

It's understandable to be weary about Romeus, but by the fifth round, his value couldn't get much more significant if he's on the board. He played just two games in 2010, but was the Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2009.

Romeus has a ton of potential; it's just going to be a matter of him staying healthy and dedicating himself as a pass rusher. Regardless, the Browns are taking minimal risk by drafting him this late. Depth at defensive end couldn't be more of an issue for Cleveland right now.

Round 6 (Compensatory): Cortez Allen (CB, Citadel)

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 1: Defensive back Cortez Allen #1 of the Citadel goes up for a pass during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Cortez Allen would be merely a depth pick for the Browns. At this point, anybody who has a chance at replacing Eric Wright in the nickel and dime packages is a worthy draft pick.

Allen was an All-Conference selection while at Citadel, so he's obviously doing things the right way. His height isn't ideal for a prototypical NFL corner (6-foot-1), but his skills as a man-to-man defender are uncanny.

Scouts from CBS Sports say Allen has great press coverage skills, and solid recovery speed if he gets tangled up at the line of scrimmage. The Browns would benefit greatly from a press coverage specialist, especially when reminiscing about Santonio Holmes' touchdown for the Jets in overtime last season.

Allen had a 4.5 40-time at the combine, but if he's as good as advertised in every other aspect of his game, Cleveland should pad the depth chart. Citadel college football compares by no means to the other premier conferences, but Allen will have time to adjust to the pros. He won't be starting anyway.

Round 6: Dion Lewis (RB, Pittsburgh)

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Dion Lewis #28 of the Pittsburgh Panthers runs for a touchdown during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pittsburgh won 28-10. (Photo by

Dion Lewis should honestly be ranked higher on draft boards, but his height (5-foot-7) hampers that possibility. In actuality, Lewis comes into the draft as the most statistically accomplished running back of the bunch.

As a rookie in 2009, he won Big East Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,799 yards. He was the first to accomplish both of those feats since the legendary Michael Vick.

Lewis had a 4.56 40 time at the combine, but his other attributes make up for only "decent" speed. As a rusher, Lewis has all the tools. Also expected because of his size, Lewis has great cutback ability. He loves to run in the open field, and most of all, he remains consistent on every play. Lewis has also proved he can handle massive workloads after he carried the ball 47 times in a single game for Pittsburgh. He's greatly gifted.

The idea of Cleveland drafting him would allow Peyton Hillis to nurture his bruising body with more rest, and Lewis would give the Browns some insurance if Montario Hardesty's injuries keep him limited. Lewis will be successful in the NFL if he's given the chance to play substantially. He's too great of a talent to pass up.

Round 7: Cecil Shorts III (WR, Mount Union)

The Browns were the only team who showed up to watch Cecil Shorts during Mount Union's Pro Day.

He can be as good, if not better than, former Mount Union WR Pierre Garcon if Shorts plays with an experienced quarterback. He set tons of records at Mount Union. Shorts finished with 259 catches, 4,705 yards and 63 touchdowns in 55 career games.

Shorts can line up anywhere on the line of scrimmage, and he loves to get a quick jump immediately after the snap. His best quality might be after the catch improvisation, hence the reason for the multiple games in which he came close to 300 yards receiving.

Mount Union is a Division III school, but the Browns shouldn't sweat about giving him a chance in the last round. Wide receiver is a position of need for this team, and with no set depth chart, anything can happen during training camp.

Shorts is another gifted player who doesn't get the recognition because he didn't play Division I college football. He would fit in nicely with Cleveland fans, too, considering Mount Union is just hours from the city.