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?

 Loading ...

Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports is reporting, based on two sources, in an effort to land Braylon Edwards the Giants will improve what they're offering the Browns.

The Browns reportedly asked for New York's second- and fifth-round picks and young wide receiver Steve Smith. The Giants countered with two picks and either Domenik Hixon or Mario Manningham.

“The Giants are going to have to up the offer a bit, but [the Browns] are willing to move him,” one of Cole's sources said.

The Giants released troubled wide receiver Plaxico Burress on April 3.

For better or worse, the Browns have seemed the most interested in Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo. They interviewed him at the Combine and attended a private workout. Orakpo will be in Berea next week for another interview.

So, who is Brian Orakpo?

Watch this video, and learn more:

As more word continues to trickle in on who the Browns might be targeting, we'll continue to update the team's player interest list. Make sure to check it out. There will probably be more names surfacing next week as the Browns are holding several visits Monday and Tuesday.

Check out the list.

It seems that the buzz is again growing about the Browns possibly moving Braylon Edwards to the New York Giants for draft picks.

Initially everyone heard the trade the Browns wanted was New York's second- and fifth-round picks and young wide receiver Steve Smith. The Giants countered with the first, third and either Domenik Hixon or Mario Manningham. As the story goes, the Browns rebuffed that deal.

Now there is some word out that the Browns wanted New York's first- and third-round selections. And why not? Dallas trade a first, third and sixth for Detroit's Roy Williams and a seventh-round pick.

The Giants are seemingly real players in a trade for a wide receiver after releasing self-shooter Plaxico Burress. The team has 10 draft picks and made several key offseason acquisitions so it's unlikely 10 rookies will make the team.

Still, a first and third is probably still too steep for the Giants. So, we ask you, what is a fair price for Braylon Edwards? Not necessarily what you would take for Edwards, but what you think the Browns will take.

Update: The Newark Star-Ledger's Mike Garafolo is shooting down the latest rumor. Still, I wouldn't be surprised to see something happen.

Who they've got: Steve Heiden (23 catches, 249 yards, three touchdowns), Jamal Lewis (23 catches, 178 yards), Syndric Steptoe (19 catches, 182 yards), Jerome Harrison (12 catches, 116 yards, one touchdown), Lawrence Vickers (10 catches, 78 yards), Charles Ali (four catches, 13 yards), Josh Cribbs (two catches, 18 yards), Martin Rucker (two catches, 17 yards), Steve Sanders (one catch, 18 yards).

Who they've lost: Kellen Winslow (43 catches, 428 yards, three touchdowns) was traded to Tampa Bay. Jason Wright (22 catches, 156 yards, one touchdown) was not re-signed. Darnell Dinkins (five catches, 41 yards, one touchdown) was not re-signed. Joe Jurevicius was released.

Who they've added: Robert Royal (33 catches, 351 yards, one touchdown), David Patten (11 catches, 162 yards, one touchdown)

Who they could lose: Braylon Edwards (55 catches, 873 yards, three touchdowns) has been rumored to be traded to the Giants. Donte' Stallworth (17 catches, 170 yards, one touchdown) might get suspended due to legal troubles.

Thoughts: Edwards is still with the team (for now). Rumors have him being traded to the Giants. Patten hasn't played 16 games four out of the last six seasons. Cribbs continues to be an enigma as a receiver. Harrison was underutilized last season. Sanders' best asset continues to having a shared name with a Beverly Hills 90210 character.

What they should do: Stick with Edwards and hope he has a great contract-grab season. Still draft a wide receiver with the team's fourth-round pick, regardless of whether he is here or not.

If Edwards is traded, like many fans want to see, possibly select Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech with the fifth overall pick in the draft. If a receiver isn't drafted early and Edwards is gone, it's hard to believe whomever Cleveland's quarterback is will succeed.

Really, are you confident Steptoe and Cribbs will provide more catching the ball? Or that Harrison will actually be used sufficiently? Or that Stallworth won't spend the season behind bars?

The Browns have talked to a large number of prospects since January.  I've taken the names we know of, and organized them by their round value in the upcoming draft.  The round orders are based off of my Top 400 2009 Draft Prospects.

Legend
PW – Private workout to be held
V – Team is bringing in player to team facilities
I – Spoke to prospect at All Star Game
FI – Formal interview done at Combine
APD – Attended pro day
RI – Rumored interest

Round 1
William Beatty, OT, Connecticut I
Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest V
Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois PW
Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State PW
Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss I
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri V
Rey Maualuga, MLB, Southern California V
Clay Matthews, OLB, Southern California V
Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia V
Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas PW
Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State RI
B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College I
Jason Smith, OT, Baylor V
Sean Smith, CB, Utah PW

Round 2
Asher Allen, CB, Georgia PW
Ron Brace, DT, Boston College I
Patrick Chung, SS, Oregon I
Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan I
Larry English, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois PW
Zach Follett, OLB, California I
Jarron Gilbert, DT, San Jose State RI
Evander Hood, DT, Missouri V
Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio State I
Andy Levitre, OT, Oregon I
Alex Mack, C, California FI
Tyrone McKenzie, OLB, South Florida I
Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma PW
William Moore, FS, Missouri I
Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State I
Max Unger, C, Oregon FI
Eric Wood, C, Louisville V

Round 3
Ramses Barden, WR, Cal-Poly RI
Cody Brown, DE/LB, Connecticut I
Troy Kropog, OT, Tulane I
Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty I
Domonique Johnson, CB, Jackson State I
Rashad Johnson, FS, Alabama I
Jamon Meredith, OT, South Carolina RI
Kyle Moore, DE, Southern California V
Kraig Urbik, OG, Wisconsin I

Round 4
Nathan Brown, QB, Central Arkansas I
Antoine Caldwell, C, Alabama V
Tyronne Green, OG, Alabama I
Michael Hamlin, SS, Clemson I
Brandon Hughes PW
Herman Johnson, OG, LSU I
Keenan Lewis, CB, Oregon State I
Augustus Parrish, OT, Kent State FI
Derek Pegues, FS, Mississippi State I
Chip Vaughn, SS, Wake Forest I
DeAngelo Willingham, CB, Cincinnati V

Round 5
Xavier Fulton, OT, Illinois I
Cedric Peerman, RB, Viriginia I
DeAngelo Smith, CB, Cincinnati I
Patrick Turner, WR, Southern California V

Round 6
Alex Boone, OT, Ohio State PW
Arian Foster, RB, Tennessee I
Anthony Hill, TE, NC State I
Jason Williams, OLB, Western Illinois V
Pat White, QB, West Virginia PW

Round 7
Brian Hoyer, QB, Michigan State PW
Tim Jamison, DE, Michigan I
Kory Sheets, RB, Purdue I

Free Agent
Brock Christopher, ILB, Missouri RI
Mark Estermyer, LS, Pitt I
Mike Massey, TE, Michigan PW
Andrew Means, WR, Indiana PW
Mike Mitchell, CB, Ohio V
Mark Rubin, S, Penn State RI
Greg Toler, CB, St. Paul's College PW