A look at the Browns' third choice in the draft.

Highlights of Browns second-round pick Brian Robiskies.

When the Browns traded picks in the draft, from five to 19 to 21, good things seemed possible. Middle linebacker Rey Maualuga was still there.

The Browns did not take him and that's a mistake. He's a guy who could have been an anchor of Cleveland's defense.

California center Alex Mack is a very good player. But a middle linebacker next to D'Qwell Jackson was there and the team decided to avoid him.

Make sure to head over to the Ohio.com NFL Draft page where you'll find videos on the top prospects. There are also stories from Beacon Journal beat writer Marla Ridenour and team previews powered by the Sports Network.

You were right. I was wrong. No more, no less. Everyone can rip me in the comments, that's fine.

Tyson Jackson to Kansas City? Until two days ago, who would have ever fathomed such a thing.

Connecticut running back is someone the Browns have reportedly shown some interest in. The team interviewed him at the NFL Scouting Combine in February and was in attendance at his pro workout day. Here is a quick story I wrote about Brown:

No player could compare to Donald Brown in 2008, at least as far as rushing the ball goes.

The Connecticut running back had 2,083 yards on the ground, 233 more than Shonn Greene who was second nationally.

Brown was the Huskies' offense. Brown ran left. Brown ran right. Brown ran straight up the middle. He was even a factor in the passing game, catching 21 balls.

All told, he finished 2008 with an incredible 388 touches. However, Brown said he wasn't wore down by season's end.

"Coach (Randy) Edsall did a great job handling us," Brown said via phone from his native New Jersey. "We prepared for it to be like this. I was ready for a big load at the beginning of the season. It really helped that the offensive line did a great job."

Brown capped his junior season with a career-high 261 yards against Buffalo in the International Bowl. Following the game, an emotional Brown declared for the NFL Draft.

While the decision may have been a tough one for Brown, it was one he knew he was ready to make.

"(I knew I could make it to the NFL) when I got into college and seeing guys I was playing against going into the NFL," Brown said. "It made me think it was something I could do."

Growing up in Atlantic Highland, N.J. as a fan of the New York Giants, Brown idolized Tiki Barber. On the field, Brown is just as slippery and quick as Barber, but what could make him even better is a devastating stiff arm.

The stiff arm Brown regularly put on display at Connecticut is one he developed in high school. The exercise science major has strength much greater than his 5-foot-10, 210-pound frame would suggest.

"In high school is where I got real dedicated to the weight room," Brown said. "It was all about making myself the best possible player I could be."

What Brown is likely to be this weekend is no worse than a second-round pick. For the man who values family as much as football, it will be the realization of a childhood dream.

"To see where I am right now, it's been great," Brown said. "I've surrounded myself with great people and my family has been a great help every step of the way."

On Wednesday, the talk was that the Giants have called off the Braylon Edwards trade because the Browns wanted too much in return. If that's really the case, why are the Browns holding a last-minute workout with Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey tomorrow morning?

In the latest roundup, Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo is still the favorite choice in mock drafts. However, some surprising names are starting to show up.

Scouts Inc. (McShay)
B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
Last update: April 21
No. 1 pick: Matthew Stafford

NFLDraftScout.com (Rang)
Mark Sanchez, QB, Southern California
Last update: April 20
No. 1 pick: Matthew Stafford

NFL.com (Kirwan)
Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
Last update: April 19
No. 1 pick: Matthew Stafford

CBSsports.com (Prisco)
Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
Last update: April 18
No. 1 pick: Matthew Stafford

NFL.com (Wyche)
Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
Last update: April 17
No. 1 pick: Matthew Stafford

CBSsports.com (Judge)
Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
Last update: April 17
No. 1 pick: Matthew Stafford

SI.com (Banks)
Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Last update: April 17
No. 1 pick: Matthew Stafford

National Football Post
Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Last update: April 13
No. 1 pick: Matthew Stafford

With the 2009 NFL Draft just days away, we wanted to find out who the fans would like to see in orange and brown. Offensive tackles Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe as well as quarterback Matt Stafford and linebacker Aaron Curry were not included in this poll because in all likelihood they'll be gone by the time the Browns pick.

If you click the player's name, it will take you to a highlight video from draft site Draft Party.

- Everette Brown, defensive end, Florida State, 6'1 1/2, 256 pounds
In three seasons, Brown had 100 tackles, 46.5 tackles for a loss and 23 sacks. Was a first-team all-conference player in 2008 and runner-up for ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year after finishing third nationally with 13.5 sacks.

- Michael Crabtree, wide receiver, Texas Tech, 6'1 3/8, 215 pounds
Playing just two seasons in college, Crabtree had 227 receptions for 3,097 yards and 40 touchdowns. Was the first two-time winner of the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best wide receiver. Named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2007.

- Rey Maualuga, middle linebacker, Southern California, 6'1 3/4, 249 pounds
In four seasons at USC, Maualuga had 273 tackles, 22.5 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, 12 pass breakups and five interceptions. He won the 2008 Bednarik Award, given to the top defensive player in college football. Was the 2008 Rose Bowl defensive MVP after recording three sacks in the game.

- Brian Orakpo, defensive end, Texas, 6'3, 256 pounds
Playing four seasons for Texas, Orakpo finished his collegiate career with 132 tackles, 38 tackles for a loss and 22 sacks. He won the Nagurski Trophy (nation's top defensive player), Lombardi Award (nation's top lineman) and Hendricks Award (nation's top defensive end) and was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.

- Mark Sanchez, quarterback, Southern California, 6'2 1/8, 227 pounds
Sanchez threw for 3,965 yards while completing 64.3 percent of his passes, good for 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in three years (one as a starter). Named the 2009 Rose Bowl offensive MVP after throwing for 413 yards.

Those are the probable possibilities for the Browns at the fifth spot in the draft. Who would you like the team to take?

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