The Cleveland Browns entered the the 2009 draft with a chance to add an elite caliber player,but traded down three times in the first round and wound up at 21.
I had no problems with the Browns trading down,my issues were that they seemed to get so little for doing so.
Cleveland gained a second round pick and three more Jets retreads for dropping from 5 to 19,while picking 2 sixth rounders for dropping from 17 to 19 with Tampa and then 19 to 21 with Philadelphia.
The deal with the Jets will add one starter for sure in safety Abram Elam,who the Browns attempted to bring in via free agency,but the Jets matched the Cleveland offer sheet and defensive end Kenyon Coleman will be a well used part of the defensive end rotation,if not a starter.
Quarterback Brett Ratliff will be either battling for the third passer spot with free agent signee Graham Harrell or could move up to second if a Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson deal occurs.
I just don't see enough return for the spots that were dropped.
I understand the bringing your own people in theory,but to drop that far for players that likely will not be Browns in the next two or three years?
Just not enough...
1st Round:Alex Mack C California
Mack was regarded as the top center in a draft that had three solid prospects at the position.
The 6'4 311 pound bulldozer will remind no one of the last Browns center taken in the first round in the undersized Jeff Faine as Mack is a hard driving physical force in the middle.Mack has a background in amateur wrestling and I always think the lineman that have that in their background do well as the balance and power that it takes to succeed in that sport correlates well to the interior line.
Mack should push out the smaller veteran Hank Fraley by seasons end,if not by opening day.
Cleveland now has three solid building blocks (Joe Thomas and Eric Steinbach) along the offensive line as the Browns make the long awaiting transition to power football.
2nd Round:Brian Robiskie WR Ohio State
I have seen Robiskie play as much as any player in this draft,so I feel pretty confident in my scouting of him.
The only thing lacking in Robiskie's game is the lack of true top notch speed as Robiskie isn't going to run by corners on fly patterns other than he has no true weaknesses.
Brian runs crisp routes,has excellent hands and is not slow by any means,just not a true burner.
Robiskie will have an excellent chance of starting and at worst,will be the third wideout.
2nd Round:Mohammed Massaquoi WR Georgia
A big,physical receiver that has the tools for success,Massaquoi struggled throughout his career at Georgia with dropping passes.
The problem went away somewhat during his senior season,but the red flag there is that it took him three years to deal with the issue.
Three years to solve a problem in the NFL often leads to unemployment.
Massaquoi could prove to be a starter,although not in year one.
Robiskie could have been there with this pick and LB Rey Maualuga been added with the pick that was used for Robiskie.
2nd Round:David Veikune DE/LB Hawaii
Veikune was taken with the pick added from the Jets and this seems a bit questionable.
Veikune is another tweener that is too small for DE and must be fast enough to get a pass rush from outside linebacker to be successful in the league.
Veikune is reportedly a high motor player and is a hustler at all times and the Browns could use more types such as that.
Veikune will have to make the transition on the move,as he spent his college career at defensive end.
This seems like a reach,but the Browns lacked a third round pick,so if they really wanted him the Browns had to pull the trigger here.
4th Round:Kaluka Maiava LB USC
Many Browns fans badly wanted Rey Maualuga or Clay Matthews III as linebackers from USC,but settled for the top backup from the Trojans in Maiava.
Maiava seems undersized,but the league is filled with players at inside linebacker that were productive collegians and downgraded in the draft for size reasons that became solid pros.
Maiava should play either of the inside linebacker spots and at minimum be a fan favorite on special teams.
6th Round:Don Carey CB Norfolk State
The Browns need secondary depth and Carey has the physical numbers to eventually help the Browns.
Carey is your typical small school pick at this stage in the draft-has the workout numbers,but the less than top competition creates questions.
6th Round:Coye Francies CB San Jose State.
Francies might turn out to be Cleveland's steal of the draft.A tall,lean cover corner that tackles well,Francies likely dropped as he played just one season of football at the Division I level.
I really like this pick and perhaps Francies could be the third corner by as soon as the halfway point of the season.
6th Round:James Davis RB Clemson
Davis was a solid prospect after an excellent junior year,but slipped in his senior year among the uproar at Clemson,which included a mid season coaching change.
Davis has speed to burn and doesn't run from contact either.
Davis should make the team and be tutored by Jamal Lewis,who has mentored Davis since Davis was a high schooler at Lewis alma mater.....
Photo Credit
Logo:Chris Creamers sports logos
Mack:Tim O'Donnell-Daily Californian
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