Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Cleveland Browns Draft Preview-Team Needs

For the Cleveland Browns the needs are many,whether the solutions are similar in number,only time will tell.
Cleveland has so many needs that not even the 13 picks in this draft will totally eliminate the issues that have made the team a perennial bottom dweller.

Most of the holes are on the offense with the skill positions most of all.
Running back and wide receiver are the top needs and which one is more important depends on the reviewer.
Running back returns the disappointing Montario Hardesty and waiver wire addition Chris Ogbonnaya after the departure of Peyton Hillis to the Chiefs.
I do not see the Browns drafting a fullback after the selection of Owen Marecic in last seasons draft.
I would wager that the Browns will take a back no later than the third round and more likely with one of their top three picks.

Wide receiver is another spot of desperate need.
Only last years second rounder and team leading receiver Greg Little should be counted on in any way.
Mohammed Massaquoi is back in what might be his last chance and Carlton Mitchell has barely hit the field.
Jordan Norwood has shown flashes as a slot receiver,but is not a sure thing.
Josh Cribbs rounds out a crew that needs an upgrade badly.
Tight end looks fine as long as Ben Watson is able to stay healthy.
If that is not the case,then Alex Smith will be the blocking tight end with Evan Moore and Jordan Cameron the pass catchers.

The offensive line has a huge hole at right tackle that will likely be filled in the first three rounds.
Joe Thomas and Alex Mack are past Pro Bowlers,Jason Pinkston was decent as a rookie at one guard and I'll give Shaun Lauvao another year at the other guard,but Tony Pashos was a huge disappointment at right tackle and was released.
Oniel Cousins was re-signed for depth,but that spot is an almost certain early round target.

I know many want the Browns to replace Colt McCoy at quarterback and I am not sold on him either,but since Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin are out of the picture,I am fine with the Browns not spending a high pick at the position.
I would not be against a selection on the third day of the draft.

The defense could still use help,but is not as awful as the offense.
The defensive line was upgraded last season with the additions of Phil Taylor and Jabaal Sheard and the signings of free agent ends Frostee Rucker and Juqua Parker will hopefully give the Browns the rush opposite Sheard that is needed badly.

The linebackers need speed.
D'qwell Jackson was very good last season and Chris Gogong played well at times,although I would not have given him the sizable contract extension that he received.
Scott Fujita has been injured in both of the seasons with the Browns and there is no young players that look to threaten to start.
I would like to see the Browns draft a linebacker or two for sure..

Joe Haden is strong on one corner and Dmitri Patterson was good enough to earn a new contract as a starter at the other.
I liked what I saw from Buster Skrine and the position seems solid,although a draft pick that would come right in and start could make corner the deepest spot on the team.

Safety is a different story.
T.J.Ward took a step back last season after a great rookie year and missed eight games at one safety.
Sheldon Brown might be moved from corner and seems to be a better fit at safety at this point of his career.Usama Young was a disappointment after being signed last season from the Saints as he could not bust the starting lineup ahead of the departed Mike Adams
Eric Hagg played decently in his games late in the season and could challenge for a starting spot in his second year.

Phil Dawson will be back as the kicker and Reggie Hodges returns as the punter after missing last season due to injury.

The top five positions of need in order
1) Wide Receiver
2) Running Back
3) Offensive Tackle
4) Linebacker
5) Safety...

Back later with a look at a few players that I hope could be Cleveland Browns...


2 comments:

jordanisthebest said...

Ok we need playmates to catch the ball so that said Stanford te is a stud and physical leaped who can run a route break tackles and make short plays into a longer positions with yac.this guys the next big te like a tony gonzalis.or we get the receiver from Georgia tech big long guy that plays big great hands deep threat he would help the deep threat.get those 2 then if Michael James is there get him cause its better to have 2 backs in this league.big ground and pound and James can be the lill guy speedy might be another lt.now u have an offence.then take defence and don't forget upshaw is still there and having 2 crimson tide guys would be great for them to grow together and there are lots of dt lbs and de to help there d.if they go this route it will turn browns into a team changer with weeden at the help ya he isn't young but was better than both rg3 and luck and did beat both of them.he just needs to learn playbook and tweek things that can b adjusted and I see him slinging balls and winning games if this theory of players I mention are picks.

jordanisthebest said...

George hill from Georgia tech.Stanford te is the best out there.upshaw would b great bringing up with Trent and many deep DB DT DE LB in this draft.weeden can through a ball.blackmon didn't get all the catches and yrds by himself so get playmates.hill is gonna be a great deep threat and Stanford te will be a 7 to 10 catches per game guy who gets yards after catch and hands of steal with hops to get up and find a catch the ball.Michael James would be a great 1 2 punch along side Trent and then u can rest them more keeping them fresh and injury free,can't believe l James is on the board still that guy reminds me of ladanian tomlinson.and Trent is like a Maurice Jones drew short bulky runner with speed and change of direction that always breaks takles and able to get extra yards,both backs can catch the ball two.that would be dangerous having them to with Stanford te and gt deep threat hill to go along with g little,massaqua and cribbs.for this to work we must make sure our line can hold up so weeden can have time for these guys to get open.