Cleveland Browns: Peyton Hillis and Players the Browns Must Replace in 2012

Peyton Hillis will likely not be a Cleveland Brown in 2012.  That is pretty certain at this point.

As much as you'd like to fight it, signs are pointing and have been pointing toward that all season.  Hillis was never in general manager Tom Heckert's plans as a fixture of the offense.

Besides finding a suitable replacement for Hillis, the Cleveland Browns have a lot of building to do going into the 2012 offseason.  There are several key areas that need to be addressed.  Several of the Browns' starters would likely only be depth players on the rosters of their AFC North divisional foes.

There are some high impact free agents and excellent prospects available in the 2012 offseason.

The Browns have needs, have cap room and will be looking to bounce back from a subpar season in 2011.

Peyton Hillis, RB

Peyton Hillis' tenure as a Cleveland Browns running back is drawing closer and closer to a climax. Unfortunately for the Browns, this leaves the team without a sufficient replacement.  Montario Hardesty has been underwhelming, when healthy, in his limited action so far in his second NFL season.

Whether or not Hillis can, if healthy, replicate his breakout 2010 season is irrelevant at this point.

The Browns organization will likely move on in 2012, allowing Hillis to walk via free agency.  General manager Tom Heckert will likely bring in a shifty running back, who complements the West Coast Offense employed by head coach Pat Shurmur.

Possible replacements:

Free Agency: Matt Forte, CHI; Arian Foster, HOU

Draft: Trent Richardson, Alabama (Round 1); LaMichael James, Oregon (Round 3), Chris Polk, Washington (Round 4)

Sheldon Brown, CB

Cleveland Browns cornerback Sheldon Brown is showing all the signs of his 32-year-old body.  He's often out of position, not due to experience or intelligence, and he's losing speed and his ability to stick with receivers.

He still demonstrates and above average awareness on the field and still contributes to the defense. These qualities should earn Brown a roster spot for a few more seasons, but he needs to be replaced as the starting cornerback opposite of Joe Haden.

With every season that passes, Brown will continue to become more of a liability in pass coverage.  It is possible Brown could be moved to the free safety position where his instincts and solid tackling would make a better fit for him at this point in his career.

Possible replacements:

Free Agency: Cortland Finnegan, TEN; Brent Grimes, ATL; Brandon Flowers, KC; Leon Hall, CIN

Draft: Chase Minnifield, Virginia (Rd. 2); Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech (Rd. 3)

Tony Pashos, RT

Tony Pashos has been a disappointment through his second season as a Cleveland Brown.  Whether it be injuries or poor play, the Browns have not gotten a solid return on their investment after signing Pashos two offseasons ago.

Luckily for Pashos, there is no threat for his job currently on the Browns roster.  Reserve offensive lineman Oneil Cousins has been even worse than Pashos in backup duty this season.

The Browns would be best served to fill this position in the draft as there are many promising prospects to be had in 2012.

Possible replacements:

Free Agency: Demetrius Bell, BUF

Draft: Mike Adams, Ohio State (Round 2); Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State (Round 2 or 3); Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State (Round 4)

Scott Fujita, OLB

Two seasons ago, signing Scott Fujita was an excellent under-the-radar move by then new general manager Tom Heckert.  Fujita brought excellent experience, a winning attitude fresh from a Super Bowl victory with the New Orleans Saints and an instant upgrade to a poor linebacker corps.

In 2012, though, Fujita is aging and showing signs he does not have the speed to succeed in the new Browns 4-3 defensive scheme.  It's a shame, Fujita plays with passion and is a tremendous locker-room role model for the young Cleveland Browns.

Fujita should be retained for leadership and depth moving forward, if he is willing to accept that role.

Possible replacements:

Free Agency: Anthony Spencer, DAL

Draft: Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State (Round 1), Zach Brown, North Carolina (Round 1), Travis Lewis, Oklahoma (Round 2 or 3)

Shawn Lauvao, RG

Following an impressive rookie season in 2010, Cleveland Browns offensive guard Shawn Lauvao has regressed in his development.  Lauvao did all the right things as a depth player in 2010.  

2011 has been a different story for the youngster.

Part of the problem may be the new offensive scheme and the growing pains currently being experienced by the entire offense.  Lauvao, though, is not free from fault for his poor play thus far in 2011.

Lauvao has been pushed around by opposing interior lineman.  He's been pushed back into quarterback Colt McCoy, off to the side and pretty much anywhere else you can throw a 300-plus pound lineman.

Possible replacements:

Internal: Jason Pinkston.  Eric Steinbach's return could send Pinkston to the right side of the OL in 2012

Free Agency: Ben Grubbs, BAL; Carl Nicks, NOL

Draft: Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State (Round 2 or 3); Lonnie Edwards; Texas Tech (Round 4)

Usama Young, S

The Cleveland Browns signing of Usama Young in the 2011 offseason was not intended to be a blockbuster deal.  Young was thought to be a productive, young defensive back in the NFL who could have benefit greatly from the opportunity available in Cleveland: a depleted secondary.

However, Young has not rose to the occasion.

He has shown ineffectiveness in coverage and problems consistently making tackles in the open field.

The Browns have already had their share of defensive backs who can't tackle or cover receivers.

Possible replacements:

Internal: Move Sheldon Brown to FS

Free Agency: Michael Griffin, TEN; Tyvon Branch, OAK; Gerald Sensabaugh, DAL

Draft: N/A

Mohammed Massaquoi, WR

The Cleveland Browns took a risk on drafting Greg Little in the Round 2 of the 2011 NFL draft.  The risk has begun to pan out with Little emerging as a legitimate receiving threat.

What would really benefit Little and the Browns even more is a dominant No. 1 receiver flanked opposite of Little.

Defenses do not have to account for any of the Browns receivers when game-planning each week.  If the Browns decide to acquire a first-round talent to fill this immediate need, their issues will be resolved.  

Massaquoi has shown flashes of great play and deserves playing time along with Little and whoever the Browns decide to go with next April.

Possible replacements:

Free Agency: N/A

Draft: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State (Round 1); Alshon Jeffrey, South Carolina (Round 1);  Michael Floyd, Notre Dame (Round 1 or 2)

Jayme Mitchell, DE

The Cleveland Browns signing of Jayme Mitchell a season ago was a premonition of the impending switch to the 4-3 defense.  Mitchell, a reserve for the Minnesota Vikings before he was acquired by the Browns, has not done anything to make a case for himself moving forward.

He has been consistent but not consistently anything other than average.

The Browns defense has been inept in stopping the run in 2011.  This is partly due to the inability of the defensive ends and outside linebackers to seal the edges.  Mitchell is a large part of that problem.

Hopefully Tom Heckert and management will notice this glaring hole on the edges and revert him back to a situational reserve player.

Possible replacements:

Free Agency: Cliff Avril, DET; Robert Mathis, IND; Calais Campbell, ARI

Draft: Quinton Coples, North Carolina (Round 1); Frank Alexander, Oklahoma (Round 2); Melvin Ingram, South Carolina (Round 3)