NFL Draft 2011: Who Experts Believe Cleveland Browns Should Choose with 6th Pick
With only a few hours until the NFL draft, it's safe to say that the Cleveland Browns have their game plan set for tonight. They may not know exactly who they will draft, but they know what move they'll make depending on who's available.
The Cleveland Browns are a unique team—you could ask a slew of sportswriters who they will draft and get so many different responses. Julio Jones, A.J. Green, Patrick Peterson, Nick Fairley and even Von Miller have been tossed about as possibilities.
To get an idea of who the Browns will draft, one has to look at all the various writers to see if there are any patterns. The following slideshow is just that: a look at all the opinions regarding who the Browns should draft.
Mel Kiper, ESPN: Julio Jones
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Mel Kiper has been firmly in the Jones to Browns camp since day one, it seems. He says of the pick:
"Jones' size and speed combination is the best in the draft at the position and his development as a wideout over the past year shows a determination and work ethic that will be loved by the coaching staff. The Browns need a true No. 1 at wide receiver, and if healthy, Jones can be that guy."
This pick would address a need, and Jones is considered one of the top players on Kiper's big board, so he's not putting Jones there just to give Cleveland a wideout. As long as drops are not a problem, he should be a fine wide receiver.
Todd McShay, ESPN: Julio Jones
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Both McShay and Kiper agree on this pick. McShay says of it, "Team president Mike Holmgren gets a go-to weapon for second-year QB Colt McCoy and a player who is a pro's pro right now."
McShay also notes that defensive end is the team's largest need though, so that may be a hint that a trade could very well happen for the Browns. I'm not a fan of McShay's last mock at all, so make of this pick what you will.
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WalterFootball: Julio Jones
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As you can see, there is a clear pattern among national football columnists. Walt says of this draft pick:
"With Colt McCoy entrenched as the franchise quarterback, the Browns need to provide him with a blue-chip weapon. Julio Jones, drawing some comparisons to Terrell Owens, would be a great fit in Cleveland because of his run-blocking ability. Adam Schefter tweeted last Saturday that he believes this selection will be used on a receiver."
The difference here is that Walt notes that this pick is a near-deadlock between Robert Quinn and Julio Jones. However, since Jones is the better value as someone more likely to be great and Quinn's more rusty, he will be the selection.
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Matt Miller: Julio Jones
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Matt Miller, founder of New Era Scouting and a fellow B/R writer, is another one who is set on the Browns drafting Jones. He says of the move:
"As Colt McCoy matures and becomes the Browns' franchise quarterback, he will need receivers to grow with him. Cleveland could pull the trigger as early as Round 1 on a No. 1 receiver for McCoy.Defensive end would be tempting, but no player on the board is worthy of the No. 6 pick."
What is also notable is that many of these national columnists still have Patrick Peterson on the board when the Browns select Jones. Food for thought.
Michael Schottey: Patrick Peterson
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A national columnist choosing someone besides Julio Jones? Yes, they do exist, and that's what fellow B/R writer Michael Schottey sees happening. He writes:
"The Browns are rumored to have a two person wishlist for this pick and I believe Patrick Peterson is one of the names on that list. (A.J. Green is, likely, the other.) If Peterson is here, he is too good of a prospect to pass up and would likely split time at CB and S for the Browns as an intriguing tandem with Joe Haden."
Patrick Peterson is likely the best player in the draft, so it's easy to see why the Browns are considering him.
Rick Gosselin, Dallas Morning News: Julio Jones
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Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News is one of the best people to look at for mock drafts, since he has been very accurate with his mock drafts over the past few years. He is also yet another person who wants the Browns to pick Jones.
The consensus among National columnists is obvious: Cleveland should grab Jones. What is the consensus among local columnists, as well as rival AFC North writers?
Jamison Hensley, Baltimore Sun: A.J. Green
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With the first AFC North mock draft, we have Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun going a different direction. Instead of having the Browns grab Julio Jones, he has the Browns selecting A.J. Green out of Georgia.
This is the result of the Texans trading with the Bengals to acquire Peterson. While I can't see the Bengals passing on Green, I'm sure the Browns would be fine with that.
Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Julio Jones
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Even the AFC North rivals want us to draft a wide receiver, it seems. Ed Bouchette has the Browns drafting Julio Jones of Alabama, saying, "Moving to West Coast offense and he will help make the move easier."
This is a true fact that may have been overlooked. In a West Coast offense, having quality receivers to throw to is a top priority, and Jones is certainly that.
Joe Reedy, Cincinnati Enquirer: Julio Jones
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I'm starting to run out of things to say about Jones. I didn't realize how clear the consensus was for writers outside of the Cleveland area. Joe Reedy has the Browns selecting Julius Jones, as well.
In his mock, Patrick Peterson, A.J. Green and Marcell Dareus are all off the board, so it may simply be that there was no one else to put there.
James Walker, ESPN: Defense or Trade Down
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I'm not entirely sure who ESPN AFC North columnist James Walker wants. All I know is that he's against drafting Green or Jones because "I'm against taking receivers in the top 10", which makes sense since the bust potential is high.
Walker has noted Robert Quinn and Patrick Peterson as possibilities. He has also stated that trading down is a likely option, saying, "Cleveland has a lot of holes to fill, including defensive end, defensive tackle, wide receiver, right offensive tackle and safety. So a trade down could help plug some of these holes."
Tony Grossi, Cleveland Plain Dealer: A.J. Green
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Since the consensus seems clear among national and AFC North columnists, let's take a look at Cleveland sportswriters. The first is Tony Grossi of the Plain Dealer. He sees the Browns selecting Green, saying, "This is a no-brainer if available."
Green would indeed be a nice pick if he's available, but it's still someone I see Cincinnati beating the Browns to.
Samantha Bunten: Patrick Peterson
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Many local writers seem to be shying away from Julio Jones. Fellow B/R writer Samantha Bunten has the Browns selecting Patrick Peterson. She says of the selection:
"CB is not a position where the Browns needs are strongest, but I feel that taking the best player on the board is never a bad move, even if it ultimately isn't the ideal one. To me, this is the safest pick for the Browns in the first round–a way to come as close as possible to guaranteeing the first round pick won't be a bust"
Tom Heckert seems to be leaning towards taking the best player on the board regardless of need, and if Peterson's there then the Browns would select him.
Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal: A.J. Green
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Nate Ulrich, Browns beat writer for the Akron Beacon Journal, sees Peterson off the board to Arizona, as many others seem to be. In his latest mock, he has the Browns choosing A.J. Green, saying:
"The Browns hired Pat Shurmur in part because he's an offensive-minded coach, so why would they hesitate to give him a player who could instantly help his West Coast system? I think the Browns really like Peterson, too. But if he's off the board, they'll be happy to give quarterback Colt McCoy some support by selecting the best wide receiver in the draft."
Since the draft is deep on linemen, the Browns are likely to grab one of them in the second round, rather than reaching for him now.
Brian Murtaugh: Patrick Peterson
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The consensus on this site seems to be clear, if nothing else. The Cleveland Browns are looking at Patrick Peterson, and B/R writer Brian Murtaugh has them doing just that, saying:
"With the potential addition of Peterson, Cleveland could easily become one of the more powerful secondaries in all of football and finally provide some type of answers against some of the elite quarterbacks of the AFC North."
A Peterson and Haden combo would certainly be great, and it would put the secondary into one of the top ranks in the NFL.
Me: Patrick Peterson
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Trading down is a viable option here, but if Patrick Peterson is available with the sixth overall pick, I can't see the Browns passing on him. He's the best overall player in the draft, and a Peterson-Haden combination would be great.
Yes, taking two straight cornerbacks in the top ten is a bit iffy, and ideally defensive are built from the inside out, but if there's no defensive lineman worth taking sixth overall, then it's hurtful to reach for one.
A.J. Green will be off the board, and I don't trust Jones' hands in the NFL, so Peterson is likely the only player who fits in terms of value anyway.
Conclusion
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The consensus at this point basically seems to be between Julio Jones and Patrick Peterson. I'm entirely convinced that the Bengals will select A.J. Green, so it's between the other two.
National columnists think the Browns will address wide receivers, while local columnists have them addressing the cornerback spot. There are more people choosing Jones, but those choosing Peterson follow the Browns more closely.
Who will be the pick when everything's said and done? We will find out soon enough, though the answer could easily be none of the above if they trade down.
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