The Cleveland Browns have several needs and perhaps too many to be addressed in one draft.I think that the most glaring need is in the secondary as two new starters would be excellent additions.
Joe Haden is near Pro Bowl level at one corner,but there are major issues at the other as undersized Buster Skrine would be the starter,if the season started today.
I think that corner is the top need.
Safety could use a new teammate for T.J. Ward as Usama Young was released and Eric Hagg was disappointing in his time as a starter.
The Browns will almost certainly draft a safety at some point...
The Browns also could use another pass rusher at linebacker,despite the signing of Paul Kruger from Baltimore.
The move to a 3-4 defense turns Jabaal Sheard from a proven 4-3 end to a gamble on Sheard being able to stand up as an outside linebacker.
Considering that,the Browns will still need a rusher to cover their rear and fortunately that is the position of strength in this draft.
An inside backer would not be a bad idea either as only D'Qwell Jackson is a proven player for now.
The defensive line was solid before and looks to be the strength of the defense now,so anything but a late round best player on the board pick would be a surprise.
On the offensive side of the ball,there is no glaring need,but all can be upgraded with further talent.
Branden Weeden does not seem to be the flavor of the month for the Banner/Lombardi gang,but the Browns have no other younger alternative,so a pick might make sense on day three.
Trent Richardson is solid at running back,but fullback is a major need after the disappointment of Owen Marecic.
Wide receiver is not the wasteland that it was last season with the emergence of Josh Gordon and Greg Little and the signing of David Nelson,but it still could use improvement,especially with a catch and go receiver from the slot..
Jordan Cameron still has much to prove at tight end and Ben Watson is now elsewhere,but a high pick would make more sense if Cameron cannot break through this season.
The offensive line is strong at the tackles with Joe Thomas and Mitchell Schwartz and at center with Alex Mack,but the guards could use help with Shaun Lauvao being a mild disappointment and Jason Pinkston coming off blood clots that ended his season early.
If there is a way to land a second rounder,the Browns could take a guard on day two.
A seventh rounder might be spent on a kicker to replace Phil Dawson and a punter might also be a seventh round possibility.
Looking at this team,they could go in many directions as needs are all over,but a corner is of highest need after the Browns puzzling lack of addressing this in free agency.
Top Five Positions of Need
1) Cornerback
2) Outside Linebacker
3) Safety
4) Guard
5) Inside Linebacker
I hope to be later with a look at players that I would hope the Browns could land at these positions of need....
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