Mock draft round-up
Posted January 30th, 2009 by Luke Chandler
The NFL Draft is a mere 84 days away, but who's counting. With the fifth selection in the draft, the Browns have a shot at drafting some great talent. Without recouping picks via trade, the Browns are lacking a third, fifth, and seventh round selection.
Hitting on their first round pick is a necessity this year. So every week I'll round the various mock draft across the internet and see who the Browns are rumored to be taking.
Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest – Greatest head of hair in sports & Walter Football
Curry is an interesting linebacker, and a Mangini type player. He would likely move to the strongside to bookend Kamerion Wimbley, where the Browns could take advantage of his versatility. Curry may not be a sack machine in the 3-4, but he's smart and versatile.
On the flip to that is the idea that Curry is actually an ILB if the Browns draft him. Don't buy into the hype of "he could play either inside or outside," because that's not likely. So I think Walter has the right idea, just not quite there.
Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State – Scott Wright
This is a fairly popular pick, but not one I agree with. Mangini favors zone coverage schemes with his corners, and Jenkins is a rough and tumble bump and run guy. I like Jenkins pro potential, just not on this pick.
Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State – Draft Daddy
I've made it known that I love Brown. He's an amazing pass rusher and should have no issue moving to outside linebacker. He's quick off the snap and pretty savvy for a youngster. I know some folks would worry about drafting another Florida State pass rusher, but Brown is the real deal.
Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State - Pro Football Weekly
Wells would be a wildly popuplar selection. He's from Akron, he went to Ohio State, and the team needs a running back. I wonder if the Browns have him on top of their draft board after anothe season slowed by injuries. Also, Wells is facing stiff competition from other junior running backs like LeSean McCoy (Pittsburgh), or…
Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia – NFL Draft Dog
It's hard to pick between Moreno or Wells, but my heart would go with Moreno. He's more durable, and more versatile. Moreno may not be graded this high in April, but he's a real talent. If the Browns were able to trade back in the first round, he'd be a nice selection around pick ten or so.
Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech – NFL Draft Bible
Lost in all of the confusion from this season is the uncertainty at wide receiver. Braylon Edwards could be on the trading block, Joe Jurevicius has only one more season left if he does return, and Donte Stallworth could be cut for financial reasons. Crabtree is a monster on the field, and is drawing comparison to the Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald. It's an intriguing posssibility, no matter how it's sliced up.
January 30th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Do people really think we aren't going to give Maualuga a look? Unless the Browns trade back, the selection will not be a running back, WR, or cornerback. Unless there is a major trade that happens Maualuga, Orakpo, Curry, Cushing, and Brown are the only players worth talking about.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Maualuga didn't speak to the Browns at all at the Senior Bowl. If the Browns had interest, even sitting down with him would have likely happened. He is taking a lot of criticism for his decision to wait so long to pick an agent, and that he wasn't training anywhere besides USC.
It's a little too early to say that the Browns pick is down to those guys you had listed. Wait till after the Combine and Pro Day's, it will give us a better idea.
January 31st, 2009 at 10:44 am
Forget about Maualuga this high. He can't cover TE's and RB's going out on passes. Unless they trade down Maualuga would be a huge reach at #5. He probably won't go until the mid-teens. It would be great if Seattle passes on Crabtree and we could line up Edwards and Crabtree going out for passes. They could make any QB look good.
January 31st, 2009 at 11:44 am
draft day trade bait , 5th overall pick , TE Kellen Winslow , DE Corey Williams and QB Derek Anderson. Will new regime pull the trigger ? Trade partner ? Eagles . #5 pick to replace QB McNabb and wanted TE Winslow in trade that did not happen . What they have is two #1 picks lower in the draft. DE Williams is a 4-3 lineman that we gave up a 2nd round pick for last year maybe throw into trade with Eagles? QB Anderson traded to Rams or even the Eagles to warm up the QB seat for rookie QB. That leaves Browns with more picks and lower in draft. My picks ? OC Alex Mack , OG Herman Johnson , OT Alex Boone in the 2nd round and watch for OLB Marcus Freeman the other Ohio State LB. Fix the OL. Look at Jets 2006 draft.
January 31st, 2009 at 11:57 am
Jay…we don't need to fix that much with our line. We had injuries last year that plagued them. The year before, they were one of the best lines in the league.
January 31st, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Free agents I like. DE's Cantry -Cowboys,Olshansky-Chargers LB Vilma-Saints SS Phillips-Bucs and CB Asomuga-Raiders. Beefing up the D-line improves the LB's and upgrading the secondary. OFF lineman C Brown-Ravens, G Andrews-Bengals and RT Willis-Seahawks any of those changes my draft choices.Will we see some Jets,Raven and Raiders coming to Browns? New coach always brings players from old teams. Pair of Jets CB's and TE are free agents. Pair of Raider CB's and DT,OLB,S,TE,OG,WR are free agents. Raven free agents Wow ! DE Suggs LB Scott and so forth. Draft depends on Free agency. Can the Browns land some of these players ? Will they keep TE Dinkins and S Adams ?
January 31st, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Erwin look at Raven,Steeler O-lines. RT Shaffer should be moved to guard just as Tucker was . Browns OFF and DEF lines under sized and out played. If we decide on a QB and trade one we are on play away from Dorsey playing. Can we beef up the D-line and be able to stop other teams from rushing the ball ? You win in the trenches. Drafting a RB or LB does not change much, just looks good on paper.
January 31st, 2009 at 2:07 pm
DA to the Cowboys for Bobby Carpenter and a 3rd round pick. The Cowboys need a back up to Romo and someone to push him for the starting job.
January 31st, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I doubt the Cowboys would trade the Browns their round pick back, since they don't have their original third round pick (used in the Roy Williams trade to Detroit).
January 31st, 2009 at 3:50 pm
JohnBoy remember that hall of fame QB Brett F. only cost the Jets a 3rd rounder. What does the recent success of rookie QB's ( ravens-falcons ) mean to Anderson's worth in a trade ? Does it make the 5th overall pick worth more ? Eagles want a QB to replace McNabb. Say they keep McNabb they still need to replace ageing OFF tackles and need to upgrade TE position. I see them as our tradeing partners. Top OT or top QB there at # 5 ?
February 1st, 2009 at 11:21 am
Will the Browns draft a safety? Which one do you like ? SS Jones free agent , FS Poole have not lived up to AFC foes from Steelers and Ravens. Moore-Misssouri , Chung – Oregon and Johnson- Alabama which do you choose. 2010 draft will have real talent should we wait ? Maybe trade 5th pick for next year #1 ?
February 1st, 2009 at 1:17 pm
I think the Browns draft a safety, possibly to replace Pool (assuming they resign Sean Jones). Mangini replaced Erik Coleman at FS when he came to New York with Eric Smith. Mangini prefers heady safeties who can make smart decisions and play instinctively in zone coverage, which is not one of Pool's strengths.
February 1st, 2009 at 11:51 pm
just draft someone who can tackle or get the quarterback—-pleaseooh and by the way—stop the run.
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:20 pm
If we draft Chris Wells……….
Let's just say that a guy who doesn't run hard in college won't run hard in the pros. I don't care what his Combine numbers are.
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Amen….someone who can tackle…who cares what position he plays.