NFL Draft Preview 2010

The most exciting time of the year is coming up for Browns fans. This coming Thursday, April 22nd the NFL Draft will begin. Instead of having the first 3 rounds on Saturday, they are splitting up the draft over 4 days. The Browns have a total of 10 draft picks, one pick in the first round, one pick in the second round, three picks in the third round, three picks in the fifth round, and two in the sixth round. The Browns are armed with draft picks and this could give them some ammunition to trade up if they wish.

The areas that the Browns need to address are the positions of S, QB, WR, and DE/DT. The Browns have Abe Elam, Mike Furrey, and Mike Adams as their safeties, and that doesn't put a lot of fear into the hearts of other teams. We currently have Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace as our QB's, and we have no long term starter. We have 2 sophomore WR's, one who didn't play much in Brian Robiskie, and another who should some potential in Mo Massaqoui. At DE/DT, Shaun Rogers got arrested and could face a suspension, and the team has no impact DE.

The Browns currently hold the 7th overall pick in the first round, the 38th pick in the second round and there are a bunch of ways the team can go. Here are some players the Browns could possibly end up with.

Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma- He is slated to go as the first overall pick, but the Browns have called the Rams about that pick. To get the first overall pick you have to trade next years first rounder, your first rounder this year, a second rounder, and probably a couple more draft picks. You basically have to sell your entire draft for that one pick. The Browns have too many other needs to trade away 3 or 4 draft picks for one player. Bradford has great size, accuracy, and mobility, but he has question marks when it comes to durability, and the spread offense he played it. If I am the Browns, I don't trade for the first overall pick.

Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame- I feel that Clausen will probably be there at 7, but the Browns shouldn't take him. He is a better prospect than Brady Quinn was coming out of college, but I am not sold on Clausen being a franchise QB. He comes off as a little bit cocky, doesn't have good mobility, and he has had injury issues in the past. He is a pretty accurate QB who played in a pro style offense with solid arm strength, but I don't think he is worth the 7th pick.

Eric Berry, S, Tennesse- This is the one guy I would LOVE the Browns to get. He fits the mold of exactly what the Browns need. A safety who can cover, tackle, and make plays in the secondary. Look at the AFC North, you have 2 of the best safeties in the NFL in the same division in Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed. Berry is a hard working kid who was productive in college. My only concerns with him are that he is a little short at 5'11, and has had some durability concerns. Make no mistake, he is the guy I want at 7.

The biggest fear Browns fans have is that he might be gone by the time we are on the clock. The Rams will take Bradford, Lions will take Suh/McCoy, Bucs will take Suh/McCoy, Redskins will take OT Russell Okung, and after the 4th pick it gets interesting. The Kansas City Chiefs own the 5th pick, and they do have a need at S, but the team had a horrible offensive line last year, and is looking to move former first round pick Brandon Albert to RT. Factor in the idea that the Chiefs just gave QB Matt Cassell an extension last year, and you have to wonder what GM Scott Pioli will do. Pioli stated months ago that he does not believe in taking safeties in the top 5, but he comes from the Patriots organization, where anything can happen. If the Chief take OT Brian Bulaga from Iowa, it leaves the Seahawks with the 6th pick to decide whether they want an OT, S, or RB. Their franchise LT Walter Jones is retiring, and the team is devoid of a play maker on offense. Also, the team has a young productive S in Jordan Babineaux (had 104 tackles and 2 INT's last year), so I could see the Seahawks either taking OT Trent Williams from Oklahoma, or Clemson RB CJ Spiller. We all know how much Pete Carroll loved RB's who were playmakers at USC (Joe McKnight, Reggie Bush, Stafon Johnson). I think the Browns have a 50% chance of drafting Berry.

Earl Thomas, S, Texas- If Berry is gone, this is the guy I want next. Again he fills a major hole in our secondary. He is athletic, can tackle, can help in the run, has very high football IQ, and is a hard worker. The only knocks on Thomas are that he is a little small (5'10), and that he might miss some tackles because of his lack of height. I would try my best to trade down a couple of slots, gain a couple more draft picks, and select Thomas somewhere between 10-12. If the Browns are scared he might be gone between 9-12, then I would just take him with the 7th pick.

Jared Odrick, DT. Penn State- Odrick has been flying up draft boards, but I am cautious about the Browns drafting him in the first round. Yes he fills a need on our D-line, but the needs of QB, S, and WR are more pressing than DE/DT. If he is available in the second round, then I might take a stab at him. The Browns are interested in him because he is a very developed player who can step in and play DE in our 3-4 defense. He has great technique, great size (6'5 304 lbs.), great speed, and a non stop motor. His weaknesses are some durability concerns, and his lack of strength. Also, Penn State lineman in the past have not succeeded in the NFL (Courtney Brown, Aaron Maybin, Jimmy Kennedy). I'd prefer to pick a QB over him in the 2nd round, but he is someone to watch out for.

Colt McCoy, QB, Texas- This is the QB I want out of this draft. He is a winner, agile, smart, and extremely accurate from 25 yards in. The Browns will be running a version of the West Coast offense, and that is predicated on a short passing attack, which McCoy fits perfectly. Some of his concerns are his arm strength concerning the deep ball, shoulder problems, and a lack of size (6'1). If he is there when the Browns pick at 38, we have to take him. From watching him play at Texas I believe he can turn into a really good QB in the NFL. He is a winner who came from a great program, and he is a hard worker. If he is available a few picks before we select at 38, and a team calls us offering that pick, I would try to use one of my extra 5th rounders to nab him.

Tim Tebow, QB, Florida- One of the most hyped up prospects I have ever seen. Tebow is a winner and while everyone outside of the state of Florida hates him, you have to give him credit. He is someone who doesn't back down from a challenge and he is a fighter. Aside from his religious views or home-school upbringing, Tebow has some interesting tools at QB. He is very mobile, has solid height (6'2), and solid arm strength. He has not played in a pro style offense, his delivery is weird, and he does not have good accuracy. He is a project in every sense of the word. I wouldn't touch him until the 3rd or 4th round.

Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati- Pike came onto the scene this year and he is an interesting prospect. He has great size at 6'5, has solid arm strength, can move in the pocket, and has good accuracy. His main knock is the fact that he has dealt with a few injuries in his career and that he might not be durable. Also, he is a raw QB who needs to work on his mechanics and footwork. Again, he seems like a project, so I would take a stab at him in the 4th or 5th round.

Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan- LeFevour is an interesting prospect. He is an accurate passer who can get rid of the ball quickly, and has good size at 6'3. He tends to float the ball at times and did not play against great competition. He is not good at reading coverages and he again is a project too. If he is around in the 5th-6th round I would take a look at him.

Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati- Gilyard, along with Pike played a huge role in the Bearcats resurgence this year. He is a fast, smooth WR who has solid hands and ideal size (5'11). He is not strong and isn't a great route runner, but he can work to improve those traits. If he is around in round 2-3 I wouldn't mind taking a look at him.

Eric Decker, WR, Minnesota- Decker has a great work ethic, great size (6'3), and has great hands. He runs routes very well and while he is not athletic, he can make tough catches in tight areas. He reminds me a lot of Joe Jurevicious. Again, if he is around in round 2-3, I would take a look at him.

Taylor Price, WR, Ohio- Price is a WR who brings speed, and athleticism to the table. He is a hard worker who has good size at 6'0. He has a good work ethic and is a durable player. He does not have great hands and he does not block well. He is another receiver I would take a look at in rounds 2-4.

Freddy Barnes, WR, Bowling Green- Another Ohio product who has good size at 6'0, and who is a tough WR with good hands. He might not have great speed but he is someone who will block and is not scared to make a big play. He is someone I would take a look at in rounds 5-6.

Jimmy Graham, TE, Miami (FL)- Graham is a huge target at 6'6 and has great athleticism. He is fast and can jump really high. He is good at absorbing hits and he puts in good effort into blocking. He is still raw, does not run routes well, and does not have good hands. Also, he plays basketball for Miami. Graham would be an interesting pick in rounds 2-3.

Nate Allen, S, South Florida- If the Browns don't come away with either Berry or Thomas, look for them to go after this guy. We know how much Mangini covets smart, hard working players and Allen is one of them. He has good size at 6'0, athleticism, good ball skills, and has great instincts. He is not a great tackler, and he doesn't have much upside, but he would be a good pick in round 2.

Chad Jones, S, LSU- Jones has great size at at 6'2, and has great athleticism and can support the run. He has great upside potential and has great ball/hand skills. The issue with him is that people question his devotion to football as he plays baseball for LSU as well. Also, he has is raw and lacks awareness. If he is around in rounds 2-3, I would take a look at him.

Myron Rolle, S, Florida State- Sticking with the theme of high character, hard working, intelligent guys, look no further than Myron Rolle. He took a year off from college football to study abroad as a Rhodes Scholar. He has good height at 6'1, and good instincts. The concern's about him is his commitment to football (how long will he stay in the NFL for? he wants to be a M.D.), his athleticism, and how long it will take him to get re-acclimated after being away for a year. If he is around in rounds 4-5, I take a look at him.

Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama- Jackson has solid size at 5'10, and has quick feet. He has good instincts and is very physical. He is good against the run, but he has to redefine his technique and sometimes struggles against quick receivers. He seems to be a good fit for a secondary that plays a lot of zone, and in the 3-4 you see a lot of that. I would take a look at him between rounds 2-4.

Tyson Alualu, DT, California- Alualu has a non stop motor and a very good work ethic. He makes a lot of tackles and has good speed. He is a bit of a tweener at 6'2 295, and he projects as a 5 technique lineman in the 3-4. Mangini likes players that are smart and hard working, Alualu fits that mold. I would take a look at Alualu around rounds 4-6.

Andre Roberts, WR, The Citadel- Roberts is another hard working kid who is a team leader. He has very good hands and is very smooth. While he isn't very strong, nor does he have good size (5'10), he could project to be a solid slot receiver. He is a high intangibles guy that Mangini craves. I would take a look at from rounds 3-4.

Ciron Black, OT, LSU- Black has good size at 6'4 327 lbs. He is pretty athletic and good and the point of attack. Black is durable, can get a good push in the run game, and is a team leader. He dealt with inconsistency, and does not have good balance. He project as a RT in the in the NFL. I would take a look at him in rounds 4-6.

The three safeties I want the most are Berry, Thomas, then Allen. The QB's I want the most are McCoy, Pike, and LeFevour. The WR I like the most are Gilyard, Decker, Price, and Roberts. If the Browns can come away with Berry and McCoy in the first two rounds, I will be a very happy man. By taking these two guys, it fulfills the two biggest needs on the team, and it will allow the team to address other areas such as WR, DE/DT, RT, and RB. I am sure the Browns will make another trade during the Draft.

This is a huge draft for the Holmgren/Heckert regime. The team is loaded with a lot of picks, and the team has a lot of holes to fill. The team needs a future QB, playmaker on defense, and depth on the offensive line and WR. Holmgren has had a solid offseason so far by adding Chris Gocong and Scott Fujita to the LB corps, Sheldon Brown at CB, Ben Watson at TE, Tony Pashos at OT, Peyton Hillis at RB, and Jake Delhomme at QB. All of these guys are stop gaps, and the Browns must first fill the needs of S, QB, and WR, then look adding depth at DE/DT, OT, TE and CB. From what I have seen in the offseason, I have confidence that Holmgren and Heckert will do a fine job in the draft. Until next time, thanks for reading and go Cleveland!

-Raz