After looking at the moves that the Cleveland Browns have made in free agency, and the moves they have NOT made, the upcoming NFL draft strategy for the Browns is beginning to come into focus. Clearly the Browns have many holes to fill, and according to Holmgren and Heckert, the Draft is where they will attempt to fill their needs. But for now, since we know that the Browns will not have the opportunity to select Andrew Luck, or Robert Griffin III, let us look at the five likely candidates that the Browns are considering with their 4th overall pick.
Morris Claiborne CB LSU
The more I see this player chosen by the Browns in most (If not all) the mock drafts the more it makes sense. As it has been often said by H&H if you have the opportunity to take the best overall player available to you in the draft, then that’s the player you take. Morris Claiborne is a top-tier corner-back much like Joe Haden was when he was drafted in 2010. With both Haden, and Claiborne in the secondary, this would make it near impossible for the opposing offenses to move the ball effectively in the air. There is no question that Claiborne is not only one of the best options for the browns at #4, but he is light-years better than any other corner-back in this year’s draft.
Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma State
Justin Blackmon is one of the best wide receiver prospects since Megatron (Calvin Johnson Jr.). He has excellent speed, good route running ability, and excellent hands. He is a clear #1 WR that would give McCoy a big target that can go deep. If anything counts against the Browns picking Blackmon, it would only be that this draft is deep with wide receiver talent. Other receivers in the draft are not as polished as Blackmon, but some good receivers with tremendous upside.
Trent Richardson RB Alabama
This may be a slightly controversial pick depending on your offensive philosophy. Some feel that if you have a strong offensive line, then the need for a top-tier running back is less of a concern. Denver had done this year after year when Mike Shanahan was the coach. Also, this league has become much more “pass-happy” than it has in previous years. But Trent Richardson is a complete back that would fill the void left by Payton Hillis. The big reason why Richardson is ranked higher than any other running back in the draft is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, and pass block. These two skills are imperative in a West Coast offense.
Matt Kalil OT USC
Two of the most important pieces of any offense are your offensive tackles. Kalil is an outstanding right tackle and is probably the highest rated offensive tackle to come out of the draft since Joe Thomas. It is highly unlikely that Kalil is available at the 4th overall pick due to the Vikings will probably select him with the 3rd overall pick. However if he is there at the 4th pick, the Browns would be crazy not to get him.
Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M
Tannehill is a tremendous prospect at quarterback. He threw 42 touchdowns in just under 2 seasons for Texas A&M. But there are far too many questions surrounding him due to his lack of experience at quarterback. Tannehill played most of his college career as a receiver, and even though he has made a successful transition to quarterback, he also has 21 interceptions to go with those 42 TD’s. He would be a project QB that should be taken in later rounds like the 2nd or 3rd, but considering the Browns have interest in him, it is not out the question that the Browns take him in the 1st round.
As we watch and wait as the off-season progresses we may get some indication as to what the Browns plans are. Perhaps the Browns will make a trade and move down, or perhaps they will pick someone other than the five players listed above. At any rate, it is going to be an interesting draft.
Who would you draft with the 4th overall pick? Let us know.
Michael W. Youngman
(Lead Analyst C.B.R.)
