The Cleveland Browns entered day three of the NFL draft with just two draft picks-the Colts 4th rounder from a 2013 draft-day trade and their own 7th rounder.They ended it with a small school superstar in round four and peddling the seventh-rounder to Baltimore for the Ravens sixth-rounder in the 2015 draft.
I spent the 4th round waiting for the Browns to grab a receiver in the round and entering the day, I had four pass catchers that I thought the Browns might be able to find a contributor if they were around.
Had the Browns kept their own pick in the round, rather than the Colts, all four of them would have been available to Cleveland, but instead three of them went off the board before the Browns stepped up.
I was hoping that the Browns would take the final one that was left in Wisconsin's Jared Abbrederis but instead opted for Lindenwood corner Pierre Desir.
I was disappointed that the Browns passed on Abbrederis, but Desir looks like the real deal and adds depth to one of the most important positions in the Mike Pettine defense.
Desir is big (6'1) and speedy, but will need to work on his technique coming from a Division II school will be taking a huge leap in competition, so Desir will have a learning curve.
The Browns have managed to bolster a position of weakness at the corner and with the selections of Justin Gilbert and Pierre Desir to add to Joe Haden and Buster Skrine and turned it into a strength.
Cleveland may still have weaknesses at wide receiver that weren't addressed, but otherwise have added help at every other position of need in the draft and might have added four starters and a valuable player in multiple defensive back formations.
I think Justin Gilbert will start at corner, Joel Bitonio will start at either tackle or guard, Christian Kirksey has a good chance to start at inside linebacker and Johnny Manziel will be the long-term answer (I hope) at quarterback.
Not a bad haul.
I will take a longer look at the draft one day next week...
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