Paying close attention to the Cleveland Browns in free agency, along with statements made by Browns GM Tom Heckert it is becoming clear that the intention is to draft a play-maker, one that could have an impact on the performance of the Browns offense. Mock draft boards along with numerous opinions of sports writers are merely speculation and change on a daily basis, however if one dares to read between the lines and view the actions of the Browns in free agency it is becoming very clear--the target at the #4 pick of the up-coming NFL Draft is Justin Blackmon!
In statements made to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Heckert quickly put an end to the rumors regarding the Browns attempting to trade up in the draft, while also informing us they would not attempt to pull off a massive trade comparable to last year ( moving from No. 6 to No. 27 to net an extra first-round pick, two fourths and a second ).
"We're not trading up, I guarantee that," Heckert said. "There's going to be five guys that we really like and we're going to get a really good player at number four. But we could still get a really good player at five, six, seven, eight too."
"We're not going to go way down and make the trade we did last year," he said. "When [president] Mike Holmgren said he'd discourage a trade down, I believe he meant one that far down."
By these statements it is easy to see that the Browns intend on staying in position to draft one of several highly touted players with speculation leaning towards Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon or Alabama running back Trent Richardson with many suggesting Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill, which in my opinion Tannehill would be a major mistake--this leaves Richardson and Blackmon.
The Browns lack of desire to pursue a running-back in free agency along with their attempts to sign two big-name receivers in free agency would lead one to believe the primary focus is to add depth to a receiving corp that is somewhat void of talent ( although I do have hope for Greg Little ).
League sources have stated the Browns did pursue former Colts receiver Pierre Garcon and former 49ers receiver Josh Morgan, although it was a failed attempt. During past interviews Holmgren and Heckert, when asked about improving a rather dysfunctional Browns offense, would state their opinions on protection problems along with receivers dropping passes. Seeking not to trade up along with not trading down very many spots remaining in reach of someone projected to be drafted in the top 5 to 7 slots along with the attempts to sign Garcon and Morgan can be considered a message from the Browns brain trust---their target is Justin Blackmon!
A.J. Hunley ( Senior Writer, C.B.R. )
* Quote from the Cleveland Plain Dealer
