Cleveland Browns Draft Review

The Cleveland Browns entered the 2010 draft with many needs and lots of picks to attempt to fill them with.
The Browns tried to fill some of them with picks, but two trades with the Philadelphia Eagles weeded some of those picks away with a return of veteran corner Sheldon Brown, linebacker Chris Gocong and using some to move up into the second round to select Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty.

First-round pick Joe Haden was thought to be a Brown's possibility over the winter, but a bad combine workout caused Haden to slip from the minds of many observers.
Haden redeemed himself somewhat with a better performance at the Florida pro day and the Browns bought into Haden.
Haden is a physical man-to-man corner and was the best cornerback in this draft.
I might have taken Texas safety Earl Thomas over Haden, but certainly have no complaints on this pick as between Haden, Eric Wright, and bringing Sheldon Brown over from the Eagles, Corner looks to have moved from a weakness to a strength for Cleveland.

T.J. Ward of Oregon was the Browns second-round pick and to me, this was somewhat of a reach for a need position.
Ward looks to be better against the run than the downfield type and I saw Ward and Oregon play both at the beginning of the season (Boise State) and the Rose Bowl against the Buckeyes and I don't remember hearing much from him.
I had reservations about USC safety Taylor Mays as well, but I think Mays would have been a better selection than someone else as Ward could have been available in Round three.
In any event, Ward is likely to start this season, so we should see his worth quickly...
Cleveland then traded into the second round to nab Tennessee's physical runner Montario Hardesty.
Hardesty was beset with injury issues as a Volunteer, but stayed healthy all of last season and had the production to show for it.
Hardesty breaks tackles and falls forward as a runner, which is something that I always like in back, but the injury issues are concerning

In Round Three, the Browns used their picks on their possible quarterback of the future in Texas passer Colt McCoy and Arizona State offensive lineman Shawn Lauvao.
McCoy seems to be the perfect fit for the Mike Holmgren offense according to most and I tend to agree, but keep in mind that this won't be a Holmgren offense, it will be an Eric Mangini/Brian Daboll offense and McCoy doesn't seem to fit there as well.
McCoy is a leader and I like him, but his arm isn't the strongest around, and battling the Cleveland wind will go a long way in his possible success.
McCoy was well worth the risk at this stage in the draft.

Lauvao can play guard or tackle but seems to be a better fit at guard, I like this pick in adding bulk to the offensive line.
At the minimum, Lauvao will add depth, but the Browns hope he will start at right guard.

Cleveland didn't pick again until the fifth round with another safety in Larry Asante of Nebraska.
Looking at the safety rankings, Asante wasn't ranked very far below T.J. Ward.
Another hard-hitting "in the box" type safety, Asante looks to be better against the run than in coverage but still should be a special team help at worst.
The final two picks for the Browns were in round six with South Florida wide receiver Carlton Mitchell and South Carolina defensive end Clifton Geathers.
Mitchell has the type of physical talent that could make him a real steal for the Browns.
At almost 6' 3 and sprinter speed, Mitchell could eventually be an impact player.
Geathers has an NFL pedigree (father and uncle former NFLers) and at 6'7 and 300 pounds could be a powerhouse off the end.
The rap on Geathers is that he doesn't play to his size and takes plays off.

This draft looks solid, but some gambles were taken.
I like most of the players, but the draft can be just as much about when you take players as much about who you take.
Hopefully, this will work out in favor for the Browns,.....