Top Dawg and Mighty Minnie's Draft Report 2007


Welcome to the 7th annual Top Dawg and Mighty Minnie's Draft Extravaganza. Here we are again. It’s 2007, and it is the same old, same old for the Cleveland Browns franchise. Once again, in 2006, fans spent the entire offseason getting fired up with great signings, a solid draft, and high spirits in training camp, only to be kicked in the junk once the season started as the Browns limped through the regular season finishing with a pathetic 4 wins. For those readers who are Browns fans, this feeling is all too familiar. For those who aren’t, I would like to illustrate it for you. Picture this: it is the summer between your 5th grade and 6th grade school years. You’re excited, school is coming, and you are preparing for a great year. You go out and buy your hyper color shirt, your new Girbaud jeans, and score some British Knight Dymacells so you look fresh on you first day of school. Maybe you’ll get the cool teacher who plays football with you at recess; maybe there are some cute girls in your class; and maybe your best friend gets put in the same class as you so you can dominate kickball together. Then you arrive for day one, and take your seat, and to your left is the kid who picks his nose; to your right is the chubby kid with hyperhidrosis (that’s excessive sweating); in front of you is the girl with the nervous tick; and your teacher walks in weighing 300 pounds smelling like Patchouli and looking like she brushed her teeth with a yellow highlighter. The year is lost. So, you suffer through it making the most of it, praying that next year is the year you come in, and sitting next to you is the girl who is overdeveloped for her age and rumors about her putting out are rampant. That is the hope that this time of year brings to us Browns fans. For two days in April, we are all undefeated. So, read up, and enjoy, and Go Browns. This is the year we turn it around.


As always…in memory of Eddie Johnson and Eric Turner



QUARTERBACK
Current Situation:
You know what’s even better than having a mediocre veteran QB (see Trent Dilfer and Jeff Garcia)? Having three not quite mediocre young QBs. Phil Savage waxed poetic last year about building a team around Charlie Frye. What he failed to realize is that the Browns roster consisted of more Lincoln Logs than building blocks. Charlie Frye is, to quote Trent from Swingers, “that guy in the PG-13 movie who we all really hope is going to make it,” but it just hasn’t happened. Some teams prefer a QB who can throw the ball over twenty yards in the air...that’s their prerogative. Frye has made it two years in the league without dumping his high school sweetheart for a Playboy playmate, so he’s already ahead of (or behind?) Tim Couch. Derek Anderson had some moments (actually he had one...leading the Browns to a stunning overtime victory over the Chiefs after a thirty yards scramble that can only be labeled Kosar-esque). Ken Dorsey looks like a cross between Seth Cohen from the OC and the main character from the Black Donnellys (and he has as much chance of being a successful starting QB in the NFL as either of those two shows have of being on the air next year).

Top Prospects
1. Jamarcus Russell, LSU (6’6, 265): Much has been written about Jamarcus Russell and he has been the consensus #1 pick to the Raiders for quite some time. Though Calvin Johnson appears to be gaining, Russell’s big arm is still what would have Al Davis drooling (if his body were still capable of producing fluid). I’d like everyone to take a moment, take out a ruler and measure their own hands. Jamarcus Russell has hands that measure almost 10 inches!! No wonder the ladies love him.

2. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame (6’4, 232): The Browns drafting Brady Quinn is like the guy who has 17” rims on his beat up 1985 Chevelle upgrading to 22s. Are they better than what he currently has? Sure. But there may be some other areas they want to think of upgrading first. Quinn is a former Abercrombie model, so he may be too good looking to be a sports hero in Cleveland (after all, some of our favorite players of all time included Bernie Kosar and Jim Thome).

3. Drew Stanton, Michigan St(6’3, 226): Drew Stanton had an accomplished college career while working behind a suspect offensive line, so perhaps he would feel right at home in Cleveland. Stanton is extremely accurate with the ball (completing over 60% of his passes in three straight college seasons). He does have a tendency to try and make plays when none is there, which led to Stanton absorbing a lot of punishment during his senior season. A strong performance at the Combine likely solidified his position as the third QB in the draft.

4. Troy Smith, THE Ohio State University (6’0, 225): Here’s a little known fact. Troy Smith and Top Dawg's grandma attended the same high school. In fact, they’ve each been spotted around Cleveland wearing the other’s jersey. No word on whether they’ll be hanging out at the reunion next month. 25-3 as a starter, Troy Smith is a winner (but Mike Dexter is role model). He had brilliant seasons in his junior and senior year, capped off by winning the Heisman. Scouts inevitably point to his lack of height when they can’t think of other things to say, but girls have been telling me for years that size doesn’t matter.

5. Trent Edwards, Stanford (6’4, 231): Edwards is coming off a foot injury that cost him five games at the end of his senior season and limited his ability to impress scouts in the post-season. After a sub-par Combine, Edwards needed a big pro day workout and delivered, completing 57 of 60 passes thrown during the workout. Edwards is not the fastest guy and he can’t throw sixty yards through the goalpost while performing a reverse crabwalk, but he is fast enough, his arm is strong enough (nobody likes him though), and he is smart. Edwards found success amidst a terrible program at Stanford, and could be a steal of a pick in the middle of Day 1.

Other Prospects
John Beck, BYU
Jordan Palmer, UTEP
Kevin “Corn on the” Kolb, Houston

Outlook: The Browns appear ready to call Top Dawg’s bluff when he said “if the Browns draft Brady Quinn, I’m done as a fan.” Who knows what kind of pre-draft hype to believe. Charlie Weis thinks Brady Quinn and the Browns are a perfect match. You know what else Charlie Weis thinks is a perfect match? Hamburgers and Chocolate. If Russell and Quinn are both on the board when the Browns draft, the chances are high that the Browns would take another QB and we can get ready for more talk of rebuilding (sign spotted at the Browns game last year: We Don’t Reload...We Just Rebuild). There are a lot of Ohio State apologists begging for the Browns to take Troy Smith in Round 2. Smith is not a clear upgrade over the current QBs on the roster, but Smith may be available in Round 3 or even Round 4 and he may be worth some of the risk.

RUNNING BACK
Current Situation:
The Browns have made a deal with the devil by acquiring Jamal Lewis, whose footprints still remain on the backs of former Browns Robert Griffith and Earl Little. This made Rueben Droughns expendable, and he was traded for WR Tim Carter. Seeing Jamal Lewis in a Browns jersey is going to feel a little bit like kissing your sister. However, if he runs for over a 1,000 yards with 10+ TD’s, I may proclaim incest an acceptable practice. Behind Lewis is Jason Wright, who is pretty good in spot duty, and Jerome Harrison, who after having the best preseason for a running back since Madre Hill, did nothing to impress during the regular season. The Browns will take a hard look at Adrian Peterson with the number 3 pick. Now seeing him in a Browns uniform will be like kissing a supermodel. The only question now is how much he will pay Leigh “the flea” Bodden to wear number 28.

1. Adrian Peterson 6-2 220 Oklahoma
“With the number 3 selection in the 2007 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns select, Adrian Peterson, running back, Oklahoma.” Those are the words I have been dreaming about, and the only ones I can hear that will make me forget Butch Davis’ choice of Gerard Warren over Ladanian Tomlinson. That worked out as well as a young Hollywood starlet exiting a limo without underwear. On a serious note, Peterson is simply awesome. He has speed (4.4), power (just watch his highlights), and quickness (can go the distance on any play). If you watch tape on him, most of his yards come after he has been hit once. You gotta love that he is compared to Eric Dickerson. One NFC scout says “ he reminds me of Shaun Alexander, only a little bit faster and meaner.” Another says “Just a dynamite runner who can be a stud for a long time if he can stay healthy.” His health is an issue, but his injuries were not the kind that are career threatening. He will learn a lot from a veteran like Jamal Lewis as well, unless of course we take Brady Quinn and I puke in my mouth.

2. Marshawn Lynch 5’11’’ 220 California
Lynch has been a 1200 yard feature back for Cal in both his sophomore and junior seasons with 10 TDs in each. He also tacks on nearly 400 receiving yards, which shows his versatility. He is a tough runner, and is a threat to break it from anywhere on the field. Getting him down requires more than one tackler, as he always fights for the extra inches. Because Cal throws so much, the question remains whether Lynch can carry the ball more than 20 times per game. He was never asked too, but his toughness points to the fact that he can handle a full load of carries. Once he refines his skills ( could have used another year to learn blocking and better receiving skills) he could develop into a great NFL back. The Packers or Jets may be looking at trying to score a franchise back and will take a good look at Lynch late in the first.

3. Antonio Pittman 5-11 195 The Ohio State University
One word keeps coming up when scouts talk about Pittman…. Poop. No actually it is Fearless, I just wanted to use that word somewhere in the report. On the plus side, Pittman is not afraid to take on anyone and lower his shoulder to fight for extra yards. On the negative side, he is only 195 pounds and loses many of those battles. He does not shake and bake, or wow you with his moves, but he shows good patience and powers through holes when he finds them. His game is ideal for a zone running team like the Packers, Titans, or Broncos. He should go in the second round, and will probably contribute right away for a team. It would have been good to see Pittman stay in college to finish his senior year, but Chris Wells is starting to emerge so it is time for the 4.4 speedster with some toughness to test his mettle in the NFL.

4. Tony Hunt 6-2 240 Penn State
Tony Hunt had a solid career at Penn State, producing two 1,000 yard seasons in his final two years. He is a tough, dependable type back who patiently waits for blocks to attack the hole. He lacks home run speed, but can handle the punishment of an every down back and is the kind of guy that can wear down defenses with his bruising style. Teams that love controlling the clock will like a back like Hunt. He chews up yards like Teddy Washington chews up gravy fries. He is a physical chain mover who should be a second round pick.

5. Brian Leonard 6-1 225 Rutgers
Brian Leonard helped bring the lowly Scarlet Knights from the basement of college football to a national contender. He is a very versatile back, playing as both a tailback and a lead blocker at fullback. He is a threat out of the backfield as a receiver, and can pick up blitzes better than most offensive linemen. He needs a coach who can invent ways to get him the ball, and not just have him blocking, because with his skills, he can really burn defenses. He would be a great short yardage back in Philly next to the speedy Westbrook, and who is a team also likes to get the ball in the hands of it’s running backs.

The Best of the Rest:
Michael Bush 6-2 250 Louisville – Talented, but injured. Could come back to be a star.
Chris Henry 6-0 228 Arizona – Awesome combine has him worth watching
Kenny Irons 5-11 200 Auburn – Shifty, and sneaky through holes.
Lorenzo Booker 5-10 190 FSU – Undersized speedster who is a home run threat.
Darius Walker 5-10 212 ND – Consistent runner, excellent pass catcher.

Outlook: Adrian Peterson truly is one of the top three athletes in this draft. For a while it seemed he was the easy pick for Cleveland. However, as the draft has gotten closer, both Brady Quinn, and his large, Snuffleupugus looking former coach have been campaigning hard for the selection of BQ. The Browns could pass on Peterson and find some value in rounds two or three with Irons, or Henry, who has visited the Browns in recent weeks. Drafting one of these top 10 running backs would easily upgrade a need position for the Browns, unless Ben Gay, Madre Hill or Terry Kirby return for more action.

WIDE RECEIVER
Current Situation:
First offensive snap of the 2006 season…Charlie Frye goes up top…Braylon Edwards has it…74 yards into the endzone, touchdown BROWNS!!...wait a minute…holding, Cleveland, Kevin Shaffer. Without that penalty, would the Browns have gone on to go 13-3, secure homefield advantage and advance to the first super bowl in the team’s history? I’m going to say yes. But alas, that did not happen. My point, however, has more to do with Braylon. Despite leading the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, Edwards caught no slack from many Browns fans. The reason, pure and simple: he went to Michigan. Let’s be clear…Braylon didn’t help himself and he’s not without blame. He was late for a few meetings and he got really pissed off and threw a tantrum on the sidelines during one game. But my question is, with all of the losing, why aren’t more players getting pissed off? I like the fire, I like the emotion. Edwards isn’t demanding the ball just to demand the ball. He wants to WIN. Unfortunately, many Browns fans would rather have a nice local boy who says the right things and never offends anybody, even if that means having less talent on the field. I like Joe Jurevicius and I’m glad he’s on the Browns…he is a solid professional, but he’s not a number one receiver. Edwards can be a star and Browns fans should get on board. Travis Wilson, a third round pick out of Oklahoma didn’t see much playing time last year, but figures to get much more action after the Jacksonville Jaguars decided to give Dennis Northcutt a deal worth over $20 million, including a $4.5 million signing bonus (good luck with that). Joshua Cribbs has worked his way into one of the best special teams players in the NFL. He handles kickoff returns and may handle punt returns this year. He’ll also see some time at Wide Receiver and you can be assured that Coach Chud will have some wrinkles in the playbook for the former college QB. Tim Carter came to the Browns from the New York Giants for Reuben Droughns in the proverbial “trade of two players who were going to be cut if they weren’t traded.” Carter has sprinter speed, but unfortunately he also has sprinter hands. Based on the number of drops the Browns receivers had last year, Carter should fit right in.

Top Prospects:

1. Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech (6’5, 239): Nobody has been able to find anything negative to say about Calvin Johnson, so I’m going to make some stuff up. He hates old people and puppies and he once kidnapped and tortured a hobo just for kicks. Johnson is actually considered by many to be one of the best prospects to come along in some time. A 42 inch vertical leap, 4.35 speed, a hard worker. Though it appears the Raiders are leaning to Jamarcus Russell, Johnson has the rare opportunity to be a wide receiver drafted number 1.

2. Robert Meachem, Tennessee (6’2, 214): Ranked second in the nation coming out of high school, Meachem didn’t quite live up to his early billing, until his breakout junior year. Meachem caught 71 passes for almost 1300 yards and 11 touchdowns. Meachem flew a bit under the radar because he has only started 15 games in his college career, but his combination of size and 4.39 speed give him more potential in the minds of some scouts than many of the better known wide receivers.

3. Ted Ginn, Jr., the Ohio State University (5’11, 178): Teddy Ginn is from Cleveland, so like all people from Cleveland, he’s wonderful. If you didn’t already know that Ginn was from Cleveland, the fact that he got hurt in the national championship game during an endzone celebration should have been a dead giveaway. Ginn got his ankle fixed at the Cleveland Clinic and somehow came away without a staph infection. The 100 meter hurdles champion in high school, Ginn has a chance to make an immediate impact in the return game a la Devin Hester, but he could also make an immediate impact as a field stretching deep threat. Ginn tied the NCAA record for punt return touchdowns in a career. Can you name the player he tied? That’s right, boys and girls. Antonio Perkins. How’s his career going so far?

4. Dwayne Bowe, LSU (6’2, 221): Bowe has great size and was productive playing with Jamarcus Russell at LSU, where he caught 12 touchdowns in his senior year. Bowe doesn’t have the flat out sprinter speed of a Ted Ginn or Robert Meachem, but he’s a polished receiver who is comfortable finding holes in a zone and is a big strong target in the red zone. Some of the scouts have Bowe as high as the second receiver on their board. He’ll be gone by the middle of round 1.

5. Dwayne Jarrett, USC (6’4, 219): Production, production production. Over 3,000 yards receiving and 41 touchdowns during his USC career. Dwayne Jarrett was the common link in an offense that was more potent than superdad Tom Brady. Speed and attitude are two question marks with Jarrett, which has caused his stock to fall a little lately. Jarrett now projects into the second half of the first round.

Other Prospects:
Steve Smith, Miami Heat
Anthony Gonzalez, Ohio State
Jason Hill, Wazzu
Buster Davis, LSU
Sidney Rice, South Carolina

Outlook: If Calvin Johnson somehow gets to #3, the Browns couldn’t go wrong drafting him, but may find a team willing to pay dearly to move up. Wide Receiver seems to be less of a concern than other positions, but with a talent like Johnson, that may be out of the window. The Browns don’t have a real speed guy on the roster, so looking for a guy like Rice or Davis in the third round.

OFFENSIVE GUARD
Current Situation:
Probably the most pathetic part of the offense last year, offensive guards Joe Andruzzi, and Cosey Colemen were just awful. Watching Andruzzi and Colemen try to open holes was as futile as watching Emmanuel Lewis try to dunk a basketball. Rueben Droughns got hit in the backfield numerous times, and occasionally before he even got the ball. Andruzzi is a tough guy, but it is time for him to retire and open up a Pontiac Dealership in Euclid next to Clay Matthews and Mike Pruitt. Coleman is a FA and out the door as well. No backup really proved their worth last year either. Last year’s fourth round pick Isaac Sowells has a chance to show something this year after being hurt or inactive most of the year. The fact that he couldn’t unseat the two we had doesn’t say much for his future. We also have studs like Andrew “the Keg” Hoffman, Rob Smith, and Fred Matua. Don’t expect them to be on the roster. The bright side is we have added two solid guards in the off-season. First, the biggest signing is Eric Steinbach. He is the 47 million dollar man who will probably get stabbed at Panini’s the week before the season, knowing the Browns’ luck. Also added is Seth McKinney, who has been a solid starter for the Dolphins. On top of that, the Browns only player to be Bar Mitzvahed, Lennie Friedman was resigned for depth at guard and center. With Steinbach and McKinney, the Browns look solid on the inside, but O line has been named a priority for the draft, and if we can get one of the stud guards in round 2, we many look to move Steinbach to tackle.

1. Ben Grubbs 6-3 320 Auburn
Grubbs is an athlete at this position. He was a linebacker in high school and a basketball star. Then he found the Auburn cafeteria, and became a guard his sophomore year and started for the Tigers ever since. His best strength is his light feet, enabling him to get out to the linebackers and neutralize them. He is not overpowering or mean, meaning he does not finish his blocks. However, his agility and good technique allow him to be very successful at the point of attack, downfield, and around the end. He combo’d 35 reps of 225 pounds, and a 5.1 40, so he has the strength and speed to handle the big men inside, and the speed rushers outside. He should be a late 1st, early 2nd rounder.

2. Justin Blalock 6-3 330 Texas
Blalock, aka, The Big Bank, is an animal. He was a workout hero at the combine by benching 225 40 times. This makes his hand pop unbelievable. If he gets his hands on you, he takes you out of the play. His feet get him out of position, so he relies on reach and strength a little too much. Scouts love his killer instinct, and nastiness on the field. I find this odd since his major is Youth and Community studies, and wants to be a philanthropist. However, when he is not saving the world, he will be a beast in the run game, and a solid NFL starter soon.

3. Aaron Sears 6-3 315 Tennessee
Coming out of high school, Sears was the top blue chip offensive linemen. He has certainly lived up to that billing with a solid college career. This year alone, he had 77 knockdown blocks, and allowed only one sack. He is athletic for his size, and has long arms which help him in space, although they hurt him in the combine where he could only bench 225 21 times. That’s three less than QB Brady Quinn. However, Sears is hungry to finish every block, and hungry to finish every cheeseburger he gets his hands on. This makes him a huge prospect on the interior line. He is very tough and will punish in the run game. His job will be to create a push in the running game, and he should be very successful. Any three of these aforementioned guys could take top billing as the first guard drafted, so look for any of them to be late 1st, early 2nd rounder’s.

4. Josh Beekman 6-2 315 Boston College
Winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given annually to the top offensive linemen in the ACC, Beekman is the model of consistency. BC has been pumping out good linemen for the past few years, a la Jeremy Trueblood, Mark Colombo, and Paul Zukauskas(not so much), and according to my good friend Mike Mayock, Beekman may be the best of the BC bunch. He is technically solid, very intelligent, and tough. He isn’t overly agile, or flashy at first sight, but will be a solid pro for years. He also has the versatility to move to center which makes him even more marketable. Beekman’s talent, great senior week, and intelligence will land him as a 2nd rounder, and possibly a day one starter.

5. Manuel Ramirez 6-3 335 Texas Tech
Manny is just massive, and very smart. In fact both his belly and his brain are twice the size of the former sweet swinging Cleveland Indian. This Ramirez is so big; he could probably eat the Red Sox slugger. Scouts are amazed at the strength (40 reps) and size of this guy, and the instincts he shows at the position. He is regarded as a bit of a project, much like the great Quasim Mitchell, but his technique is polished, and his strength makes up for lack of raw athleticism. It is a crapshoot where he will fall in the draft, as teams strong at guard now may draft him as a future prospect. Personally, I wouldn’t want to be his agent if he falls to day two.

Best of the Rest
Mike Jones (Bitch) 6-5 305 Iowa – big, hard working, run blocker. Not athletic.
Andy Allenmen 6-4 300 Akron - Project still learning position. Zone Blocker.
Nathan Bennet 6-5 310 Clemson – Aggressive, but lacks agility.
Manny Wrotto 6-3 315 GT – Raw, but good short area quickness.
Dan Santucci 6-3 300 ND – Not athletic, but always succeeds.

Outlook: The Browns definitely could add some depth here. It seems like we comb the waiver wires for backup guard talent like Booger combs the high schools for dates in Revenge of the Nerds. We have added so many practice squad players and former starters in recent years. It is time to address this position in the draft on the first day. Last year we wasted a third round pick on a Wide Receiver when there were many guards who started for much better teams still available. Phil and the gang have to do better, and there is some good depth here for us to get a good player.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Current Situation:
To an outsider, it might seem strange to lose not one, but two players along the offensive line to mental illness (the most amusing injury report since former Cav Henry James missed a game due to hemorrhoids). However, to Top Dawg and Mighty Minnie (and other Clevelanders), it’s just another day in the life of being a Browns fan. In last year’s report we talked about Ryan Tucker being the most dependable free agent the Browns have signed since their return. Now that one of us has graduated law school and become a member of the Bar, we realize that we should have included a disclaimer. Of course, what we meant to say was “Ryan Tucker is one of the most dependable guys we have (unless and until he goes bat-poop crazy).” Tucker spent some time in a padded room, but got out after the Chief threw a water-fountain through the wall (Anyone? Anyone? One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest? Don’t you people read?) so he should be back competing for a spot at right tackle. After Tucker left, Kelly Butler was signed off waivers and did a passable job playing right tackle and by all accounts, staying sane. Butler signed an extension and will compete to start or back up both tackle positions. Kevin Shaffer, despite dropping the “C” from his name in a clear attempt to hide his hebrew roots, was ok at left tackle. He wasn’t great, he wasn’t even very good, but he was ok, and on this line that constitutes an upgrade. Butler, Nat Dorsey and converted defensive lineman Andrew Hoffman (most famous for missing a game at UVA because of a broken toe suffered when dropping a keg on his foot) will all compete for playing time.

TOP PROSPECTS
1. Joe Thomas, Wisconsin (6’7, 311): Thomas is the Outland Trophy winner and the consensus top offensive lineman available in this year’s draft. He has the size and strength (29 reps of 225) to anchor an offensive line for years to come. A standout in track and basketball at the high school level (and track in college), Thomas has the athletic ability to go with his other prodigious skills. While not a sexy pick, Thomas would look great in orange and brown next year (but who doesn’t look great in orange and brown?).

2. Levi Brown, Penn State (6’6, 323): Levi James Brown started 45 games of his collegiate career at left tackle. The most impressive thing about Brown (while his pants are still on) is his initial hand punch. For that reason, he’s been known to tell opposing defenders “if you want to throw down in fisticuffs, that’s fine. I’ve got Jack Johnson and Tom O’Leary right here waiting for you.” Brown should be the second tackle off the board, possibly in the top 10.

3. Joe Staley, Central Michigan (6’6, 306): Staley is one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft, as he has skyrocketed firmly into the middle of the first round. Staley entered Central Michigan as a 225 pound tight end, and has maintained his quickness while adding strength and good hand placement to his repertoire. The first thing every scouting report talks about is Staley’s explosiveness (1.64 10 yard dash, 4.7 40 yard dash). For that reason, or maybe a different one, his friends call him ‘sexy time explosion.’ The only negative I can find on Staley is that one scouting website compared him to Ross Verba. Ross Verba? Really? Are you telling me Staley will accept Jesus three days before the draft, and then end up blowing half a million on strippers at a Las Vegas pool party too?

4. Tony Yugoh, Arkansas (6’5, 301): I like Tony Yugoh even more than I like his cousins Zachary Pinto, Charlie Pacer and Dodge Stratus. Yugoh is an intense drive blocker, as he cleared the way for the best 1-2 running punch in the nation last year. Perhaps better suited to guard in the NFL, Yugoh used his strength and long arms to record 199 knockdown blocks during his career. I mean, Yugoh had even more pancakes over the last couple of years than this guy (you knew it was coming):


















5. Marshall Yanda, Iowa (6’3, 307): There’s little consensus on the fifth offensive tackle available in this year’s draft, but because of the connection between Phil Savage and Kirk Ferentz (more on that, I’m sure, in next year’s draft report), Iowa is always a good place to look. Probably more suited to play right tackle, Yanda has a quick first step off of the line, which allows him to neutralize speed rushers. Though he has good weight room strength, Yanda struggled at times with bull rushers. Yanda has the flexibility to play multiple positions at the next level. He’d be an intriguing pick at the top of round 3.

Other Prospects:
Doug Free, Northern Illinois
Ryan Harris, Notre Dame
James Marten, Boston College
“Big” Julius Wilson, Alabama-Birmingham

Outlook:
Each year, after watching the Browns limp to the finish line with the likes of Enoch Demar, Steve Zahursky and Paul Zukauskas starting across the offensive line, Browns fans shout for offensive lineman. As the draft approaches, of course, we become infatuated of the talent of the skill position players, offensive line takes a back seat, and we end up filling holes by overpaying mediocre veterans like LJ Shelton and Roman Oben. Well, to paraphrase Rick Pitino, Cody Risien, Mike Baab and Doug Dieken are not walking through that door. The time is now to upgrade our depth and talent along the offensive line.

CENTER
Current Situation:
With the odds of LeCharles Bentley playing in a Browns uniform about the same as the viewers figuring out what the black smoke is in Lost, the Browns had to resign Hank Fraley and Lennie Friedman. Fraley was a solid starter after the center debacle that the Browns went through early last year. Friedman provides a veteran backup, and hopefully, the 2008 season will bring back LeCharles Bentley and we’ll find out why John Locke no longer needs his wheelchair after the crash of flight 815.

1. Ryan Kalil 6-3 290 USC
Kalil proved to be the best offensive linemen in the draft at this year’s senior bowl. He showed the hand technique and the footwork to be a great center. He is not huge, but he can use his leverage very well, and can fend off even the biggest defensive tackles. He should be a first rounder, which will upset Jeff Garcia who would love to get behind a center of his “quality” if the Bucs could get him in round two.

2. Samson Satele 6-2 295 Hawaii
Lets be honest, who doesn’t want an offensive linemen named Samson. Satele is a big drop off from Kalil, but he is solid technically, and an excellent pass protector who learned in the air it out attack of Hawaii. He does have the drive too to be good in the run. He is a smart kid, and one who can recognize blitzes and defensive schemes. He should be a late day one pick.

3. Doug Datish 6-4 300
Datish is a big boy at Center. Apart from the rolling snaps against Michigan, he performed very well for the Buckeyes in his career. The success of Pittman and the protection of Smith were testament to his solid play. He has a nasty disposition, and plays with a mean streak, finishing blocks. He will be a late day one, early day two prospect.

4. Leroy Harris 6-3 300 NC State
Once had 13 knockdown blocks in one game. He is nasty, and a four year starter for NC State. He is excellent in the running game, and adequate in pass blocking. He has a killer instinct to succeed in the NFL.

5. Enika Lucas 6-3 300 Oregon
Lucas is an underrated prospect who had a very good senior campaign. He is a little stiff, and heavy on his feet, but his strength makes up for it. He has excellent leverage, and very good at picking up blitzes. Lucas could be a late 5th or 6th rounder who could be a good development player.

The Best of the Rest
Kyle Young 6-5 330 Fresno St – Enormous man child. Good Drive blocker.
Dustin Fry 6-3 325 Clemson – solid backup
Lyle Sendelin 6-5 285 Texas – not athletically gifted, but plays his position well.
Mark Fenton 6-4 300 Colorado – quick and agile
Scott Stephenson 6-4 305 Iowa St – late round pick with upside.

Outlook: After last season, the Browns can never be sure they have enough centers. Pro Bowler LeCharles Bentley went down on the first play of the first practice. Bob Hallen was taking the same Brown Acid that led Ryan Tucker to the nuthouse. Alonzo Ephraim, some fat guy who failed a drug test was the next to go before we finally found Hank Fraley. The Browns may take a guard like Beekman from BC who can play center as well, but it should not be a priority.

TIGHT END
Current Situation:
Kellen Winslow has always talked the talk, but in 2006 he walked the walk. Winslow was hands down the MVP of the Browns, and while that may be an award on par with winning the 40 yard dash at a Klump family reunion, a strong argument can be made that he was the top Tight End in the NFL last year after posting a Browns record 89 catches, tops in the league at the position. Winslow is simply dominating at times, as he turned in two 11 catch performances last season (versus San Diego and Houston). The only question around Winslow is his health. Winslow underwent microfracture surgery in January to correct knee problems that forced him to basically play on one leg at the end of last year. This is the same procedure that Mr. Glass, Courtney Brown underwent a few years back. Brown's injuries re-appeared after the procedure, but let's be honest, a strong fart would probably land Courtney on Injured Reserve. Is Joey Porter a convicted felon? Well he should be. Porter got lit up by K2 last year and proceeded to call him a derogatory name for a homosexual. According to our research, however, Porter was the one who has previously taken a shot in the ass. Steve Heiden and Darnell Dinkins are firmly in place as the second and third tight ends. Heiden continued to defy the odds the way his white man flattop defies gravity, catching two touchdowns in the overtime victory against the Chiefs. The trio combined to have the most productive season for a group of tight ends in Browns history.

1. Greg Olsen 6-5 250 Miami
Greg Olsen is a physical specimen. He is tall, well built, with bleached blond hair and the 5 o’clock Charlie Salinger scruff that makes him look like Zach Barnes from the mega blockbuster volleyball movie, “Sideout.” He wowed combine scouts with 4.5 forty times, and showed awesome hands in the drills. His reception and Td stats were far from spectacular at Miami, but he has the frame, and natural talent to translate into better production at the next level. His blocking is somewhat lacking and must be addressed through coaching before he becomes an elite Tight End. However, his vertical threat should be enough to vault him into the first round, possibly going to the Bears who have been looking for a stud pass catching Tight End for years.

2. Zach Miller 6-5 260 Arizona State
Miller brings the same versatility to the position that his ASU predecessor Todd Heap did. He is a big target, especially in the red zone. He lacks the elite speed that some of the seriously athletic TE’s do in the league, but he has great hands, and can make tough catches in traffic. On the blocking front, Miller has some skills. He can handle DE’s and linebackers alike, which should keep him on the field for all three downs. Miller is more polished than Olsen in most aspects of the game, but doesn’t have the same upside, or model looks. Look for Zack to go somewhere early in the second round.

3. Ben Patrick 6-4 270 Delaware
Patrick comes from a somewhat unknown program, but completely dominated the competition there where he had over 650 yards and 6 touchdowns in his senior campaign. He is very solid in the short yardage passing game, where he smoothly releases from blocks to find the first down marker. He is not a gamebreaker, but he did have a few catches downfield passed the safety help. He very seldom drops passes, and will be a very reliable target if he can find the speed to get open.

4. Scott Chandler 6-6 270 Iowa
It seems like Chandler has played for the Hawkeyes for like 10 years, just shy of Michigan kicker Garrett Rivas’ extensive college career.(and no, their not doctors) He has improved his numbers every year, finishing with an impressive 600 yard 6 touchdown senior season. This is especially impressive considering he was one of the few Hawkeye threats and consistently drew top Big ten defenders. He has shown the moves and speed to stretch the field, and has the hands and size to make the big tough catch in traffic. He fights for the ball, and could have the similar impact of former Virginia and current Steeler TE Heath Miller.

5. Jonny Harline 6-4 240 BYU
Kind of undersized for a tight end, and kind of unknown since he was a BYU guy, Harline had ridiculous numbers in his junior and senior seasons. As a junior he had over 850 yards and 5 TD’s, and as a senior, 935 yards and 12 TD’s. His athleticism may be somewhat limited, but you don’t put up numbers like that without knowing how to find holes in defenses, and the ability to make some serious plays. He is sort of a sleeper in the draft, but someone could jump on those big touchdown numbers and look for Harline to be a big red zone threat.

The Best of the Rest:
Matt Spaeth 6-7 260 Minn – Huge red zone threat
Joe Newton 6-6 255 Oreg. St. – Big leaper who can go up and make the big catch
Martrez Miller 6-4 255 Georgia – Extremely athletic, not great hands
Clark Harris 6-6 255 Rutgers – Courageous but lacks speed
Anthony Pudewell 6-4 250 – Nevada – Sleeper with a knack for getting open

Outlook : The Browns are pretty well set at TE when Winslow is playing. He is probably good for at least one suspension next year, so Heiden and Dinkins will be asked to step up. Rumors are that the Omaha Beef have given us the rights to Colonel Chad Mustard again and he will be looking to make the squad. I wouldn’t be looking for us to grab any TE’s this year in the draft.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Current Situation:
The problems against the run were supposed to be solved last year with the acquisition of former spokesmodel for Thornton Mellon’s Tall & Fat, Ted Washington. Washington had a predictably positive effect on the Cleveland economy, almost single-handedly keeping several all you can eat buffets in business. Additionally there is a rumor that Bob Hallen didn’t retire but rather was eaten by big Ted during a training camp scrimmage. However, the improvement in the run defense left something to be desired. The Browns gave up over 142 yards per game rushing (14th in the AFC), and we found ourselves sighing a breath of relief if teams chose to punt on fourth and one rather than running up the middle. Washington did start all 16 games and certainly took up some space at the point of attack. Primary backups J’Vonne (he’s French) Parker and Ethan Kelley both ended the year on injured reserve and did not provide much depth at the nose tackle position. The Browns have signed Shaun Smith, a restricted free agent from the Bengals. Smith will likely split time with Ted Washington. We don’t know much about Shaun Smith, but as far as we can tell, he’s the only member of the Bengals who hasn’t spent any time in the Shawshank Prison. Welcome aboard, Shaun. Get busy living!

1. Amobi Okoye, Louisville (6’2, 302): Amobi Okoye was born in 1987...I will now spontaneously combust. Still short of his 20th birthday, Okoye has brought the phrase “upside” over from the NBA draft. No one has brought this much to a college campus at such a young age since Harold Wormser graced the grounds of Adams College. Strong and athletic, Okoye’s current size makes him more suited as a tackle in a 4-3 defense. However, he has the room to grow. Okoye is not related to the Nigerian Nightmare, Christian Okoye. Apparently, “Okoye” is like Jones over there. Okoye is one of the fastest risers in the draft and would be a great get for the Redskins at #6.

2. Alan Branch, Meeechigan (6’6, 331): Anyone who watched a Michigan football game over the past few years knows what Alan Branch can do when motivated. Michigan had the best run defense in the country last year, and Branch was largely responsible, tying up multiple blockers at a time. He is big, strong and aggressive, but even better, Branch is as quick like a cat (that’s why his friends call him Whiskers). The knock on Branch, as with many defensive tackles all the way back to Dave Puzzuoli, is that he takes plays off. Branch didn’t help himself when he showed up out of shape to the Combine and his Pro Day workout. Still, Branch compares favorably with Vince Wilfork of the Patriots, who has turned into a solid player, and Branch will be gone within the first ten picks. [Injury Update: A report has surfaced that Branch has stress fractures in each leg. As of now this is just a rumor, but a rumor may be enough to push Branch far down a team’s draft board.]

3. Justin Harrell, Tennessee (6’5, 300): You need to know two things about Justin Harrell. First, he tore his bicep in Tennessee’s second game of the season, but put off surgery for a week so he could play against rival Florida with his bicep muscle curled up inside of his arm. Second, and probably more importantly, Justin Harrell was born on Valentine’s day and his nickname is Big Sweetie. You know who else was born on Valentine’s Day? Brother Love.

4. Tank Tyler, NC State (6’2, 306): Tank Tyler bench pressed 225 42 times at the Combine, which put him on many teams’ most wanted list. This should be familiar territory for Tyler, who has also appeared on the kind of most wanted list you find hanging in the post office. A 2005 arrest for assaulting a police officer and a 1 quarter suspension for spitting on a referee have put Tyler in the running for the Jeremiah Pharms/PacMan Jones award, given to the player most likely to end up in jail before starting a football game in the NFL. While he didn’t quite win that award, he did however edge out Reggie Nelson of Florida for the annual Roderick Green Memorial Award, given annually to the prospect with the lowest Wonderlic score, or in our opinion, the player most likely to think September is the 1st month of the year (question 1 on the test). Unfortunately, the NFL has clamped down on the dissemination of wonderlic scores much to the dismay of our readers, so the award is now decided by the authors. Still, a scouting report that reads “struggles in the classroom and might have problems with a complicated playbook” isn’t a good sign, and certainly qualifies Tyler for the RGM award. Sounds like a Bengal to me!

5. Brandon Mebane, Cal (6’1, 309): Though Mebane lacks the ideal height for a nose tackle prospect, he has the explosive power of a bag of olean-laced WoW potato chips (unclear whether he too may cause anal leakage). Mebane is relentless (that’s why his friends call him Whiskers). A high energy, high impact player who has the ability to tie up multiple blockers, Mebane will be a solid pick in the late second or early third round.

Other Prospects:
Turk McBride, Tennessee
Marcus Thomas, Florida
Quinn Pitcock, Ohio State
Antonio Johnson, Mississippi State

Outlook: The signing of Shaun Smith and the fact that the base 3-4 only employs one defensive tackle makes this position somewhat of a lower priority for the Browns. The Browns have already said they plan to take an offensive player if they keep the 3rd pick, so that would eliminate the top 3 players on the D-Tackle board. Depth is always an issue and with Big Ted perhaps on his last legs (but not his last turkey legs), look for the Browns to add to the d-tackle rotation somewhere on the second day.

DEFENSIVE END
Current Situation:
Carl Hairston, Reggie Camp, Rob Burnett, Al “Bubba” Baker, Sam Clancy, Anthony Pleasant, Romeo Bandison, Alvin McKinley. One of these players isn’t like the rest. We grew up blessed with some great defensive ends, and since our return in 1999, it has been a string of bums. The only ones worth a damn have been Orpheus Roye, who continues to succeed but is getting old, and Mike Myers (cue the music), who isn’t good enough for the Browns apparently. McKinley was weak last year, and rarely made plays. He will probably not be returning. As backups, we had Nick Eason who shows glimpses of brilliance, and glimpses of NFL Europe talent. Also seeing time was Simon Fraser who is hard working, but besides the flowing hair, does not remind anyone of Bob Golic. A huge off-season move was the addition of Tennessee Titan Robaire Smith who should immediately upgrade the position. We also have practice squad mainstays like J’Vonne Parker, and probably at least one of the Claybrooks brothers will be back in camp. This group desperately needs an upgrade.

1. Gaines Adams 6-5 260 Clemson
For two years, Adams has feasted on quarterbacks recording over 15 sacks in both his junior and senior campaigns. His speed off of the snap is ridiculous and can rarely be blocked with one man. He is a game changer and very disruptive to offenses. He will probably be the first defensive player off of the board this year, possibly as early as number two to the Detroit Lions, so he will probably suck in the NFL with a curse like that on him. He is not big enough to survive as an end in a 3-4 so look for 4-3 teams with low sack totals to look at Adams.

2. Jamaal Anderson 6-6 280 Arkansas
Anderson can use all types of moves to get to the QB. He is big and strong enough to bull rush, and his technique is good enough to finesse his way to the QB as well. Unbelievably, he came to school as a Wide Receiver, so you know he shares the same sort of rare athletic ability that the authors of this draft report possess. He has that great motor that you want from a defensive end, and makes a lot of plays from behind. He also has some great skills against the run. He is more versatile than Adams in this respect, but doesn’t have the freakish jump off the snap that Gaines Adams does. However, he made 20 tackles behind the line this year, and had 13.5 sacks. He has the size and the skills to be really good in the NFL. He should be a top 15 pick, and we could possible see him for a while playing for the Steelers.

3. Adam Carriker 6-6 290 Nebraska
No player has done more this off season to improve their stock than Adam Carriker. He abused offensive linemen in the one on one drills at the senior bowl, then continued his dominance in the actual game. He is absolutely the best technician as a defensive linemen. He plays like every snap could be his last. He has the versatility to play in a 3-4 or in a 4-3. Listening to Mel Kiper and Mike Mayock talk about how much they love this kid makes me feel very uncomfortable. I think the 49ers may nab Carriker at 11 to add to there 3-4 defense.

4. Jarvis Moss 6-6 250 Florida
I don’t have to introduce Mr. Moss to either Troy Smith or any Ohio State fans. He was a force in the National Championship game against the Buckeyes. He is a pass rusher, plain and simple. Don’t ask him to stop the run, because he seriously lacks those skills. He has the body to add 15-20 pounds and should be more effective if he plays at 275 to 280. This would make him much more effective against the run. However, finding a player with his instincts to get to the quarterback is very difficult… it took the Browns 7 years, so having Moss will help a team in passing situations immediately.

5. Anthony Spencer 6-2 265 Purdue
Big Ten quarterbacks know Spencer better than they know there own girlfriends (which I bet are really, really hot. If not, that’s just sad). He had an astounding 26 tackles for a loss this year with 11 on the quarterback. He also forced 11 fumbles. He also had the coolest haircut at the combine sporting a Mohawk (he called it a Frohawk) that made him look like Wesley Snipes in Blade. That should be enough to elevate anyone’s draft status. He is very strong, and very good with his hands. He uses that to fight off blocks . He threw up 30 reps at the combine and ran a 4.7 forty. With those measurables, and his production as a senior, he should be a late first, early second rounder.

The Best of the Rest
Ray McDonald 6-4 280 Florida – Dt/DE Tweener. Good fit for the Browns.
Tim Crowder 6-4 270 Texas – Strong fundamentals. A playmaker.
Charles Johsnon 6-6 270 Georgia – Great toughness and leverage.
Victor Abiamiri 6-4 270 ND – under the radar talent who is solid at everything.
Lamar Woodley 6-1 270 Michigan – 16.5 sacks. Dominated the college game, but small.
Quentin Moses 6-5 250 Georgia – Athletic, but lacks toughness. Not a warrior
Ikaika Alama-Francis 6-5 275 HI – Project who wowed at workouts

Outlook: The Browns made a great move with the addition of Robaire Smith, but we need more talent here. Unfortunately, some of these guys are not fit for the 3-4. A player like Tim Crowder from Texas would be a great 3-4 end and would be good find in round two. Victor Abiamiri from Notre Dame is also a guy who could fit very well, and would seriously improve the athleticism of our D line.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS
Current Situation:
Cleveland’s middle linebackers struggled to stop the run last year. Andra Davis, who has been a bright spot over the past few seasons had a down year after bulking up a little too much in the off season and losing some of his athleticism as a result. He still led the team in tackles, and is a great leader, but must return to his 2005 form to help this defense succeed. Joining him in the middle was rookie D’Qwell Jackson. Jackson came in and showed promise, playing solid from game to game. He got lost in the shuffle sometimes and got gobbled up by blockers on many plays. However, he showed great promise for a first year player. He needs to become more involved in the action this year. A bright spot was rookie Leon Williams. His sheer size and athleticism was on display towards the end of the season when Jackson got hurt. He looks like “The Predator” on the field with the size, ugliness, and those dreads, and played like it when given the opportunity. Hopefully, he can find the field more often this season, because he can really wreak havoc on defense. Also seeing spot duty inside was Matt Stewart, Clifton Smith, Chaun Thompson, and Mason Unck. The Browns should be set with this deep core, and hopefully, with an improved D line, Davis, Jackson, and Williams will dominate the middle.

1. Patrick Willis 6-1 240 Mississippi
Patrick Willis is a rare athlete for his position. He ran a sub 4.5 forty at the combine and then a 4.39 at his pro day. An inside linebacker running a sub 4.5 forty time is a about as rare as Paris Hilton making love without a camera rolling. He can play every down, and get his nose in the action. His coverage is adequate, but could improve in this area. He delivers a blow while tackling and has that rare speed to chase down quarterbacks and ball carriers. Rarely do you find this type of prospect in the inside, and we should see teams in the middle of the 1st round like the Panthers and Patriots taking a close look at him.

2. David Harris 6-2 240 Michigan
The more tape you watch on Harris the more you love him. In all aspects of the game, he dominated in college. He is probably one of the most productive Wolverine defensive players in recent memory. What is awesome to watch is his downhill style which enables him to deliver a blow on every hit. Whether it’s on a blitz, chasing down a screen, or simply filling a hole, he always brings the wood. My good friend Mike Mayock over at the NFL network put together an hour long video of Harris’ hits. I not sure yet whether that is really cool, or really creepy. He also turned heads at the combine running a 40 in the 4.5 range. He is also incredibly aware of the field when he plays, unlike let’s say the opposite, Chaun Thompson, who would look lost in his own house. Harris is starting to push for a late first round rating, which could have him going to the Pats or the Eagles, or at worst early in the second to the Lions.

3. Brandon Siler 6-2 240 Florida
Siler is an impact player. He causes havoc in the backfield on blitzes and breaking through the line on runs. He is always moving forward, which makes him susceptible to the pass. He struggles to backpedal with TE’s and slot receivers. However, as seen against the Buckeyes in the National Championship game, Siler is a gamer who seems to be everywhere on the field. He has the ability to dominate games and will be a second round pick.

4. Justin Durant 6-1 235 Hampton
Durant is a small school prospect who has thrilled the scouts in his post season workouts. His size and weak college opponents make some weary, but his athleticism is awesome and he chases down ball carriers like people I know chase down cougars when the bars start closing. He will have to make the jump from small school to the NFL which could be considerable, but he has the talent to make the leap. He has the skills to become this years Demeco Ryans, and could be one of the top rookie defenders out of this draft.

5. HB Blades 5-11 235 Pittsburgh
HB is a well pedigreed football player. He is the son of former Seahawk safety Bennie Blades, and his uncles Brian and Al both played in the NFL as well. Stat-wise, Blades was probably the most productive linebacker in the country. He had over 147 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two picks, two fumbles recovered, and two blocked field goals. That is some serious production. His name popped up on the TV screen more than those male enhancement ads pop up on my computer when I am doing “research.” His short stature, and lack of elite speed cannot be overlooked, but he is a solid football player, and he should have continued success in the NFL.

The Best of the Rest:
Anthony Waters 6-3 240 Clemson - Not a highlight player, but solid in every way.
Zak DeOssie 6-4 245 Brown – Ivy leaguer with talent. Great long-snapper.
Desmond Bishop 6-2 245 Cal – smart, productive, and good in short yardage.
Jon Abbate 5-11 245 WF – Proven leader and hard worker. Reliable and smart.
Zach Lattimer 6-2 235 Oklahoma – Juicehead who spits in teammates mouths.

Outlook: With Davis as the leader, and the addition of two young capable middle backers coming along, I wouldn’t look for the Browns to add any depth here. However, in a 3-4, you can never have two many versatile linebackers. Maybe Ryan Pontbriand needs a challenge at longsnapper, and we add LB/LongSnapper Zach DeoSsie on day two.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Current Situation:
It only took 7 times of missing before the Browns finally made a splash in the first round last year drafting OLB Kamerion Wimbley. He was a force last year, and on most Sundays, about all I had to cheer for. He recorded 11 sacks and was constantly menacing the quarterback. His run defense is still suspect, but a lot of that can be attributed to his role as the only threat to get to the quarterback. On the other side was the timeless Willie McGinnest, who looks about 50, and moved about as slow as Romeo Crennel on his way to a salad bar. He really struggled to be effective in either the pass rush or against the run. Watching him trying to stay with running backs or TE’s in coverage was like watching someone other than Ralph Macchio or Pat Morita (RIP) try to catch flies with chopsticks. The Browns made a great move in the off-season acquiring Antwaan Peek, an athletic DE perfect for the 3-4. Hopefully, we will see lots of him. Others in the mix are Matt Stewart who can solidly step in, but is becoming a new age Marty Moore, Chaun Thompson who is still figuring out how to huddle up, and Dave McMillan who probably won’t be around. With Peek and Wimbley on the ends, and learning from a veteran like McGinnest, this should be one of our best positions this year.

1. Jon Beason 6-0 230 Miami
Beason is a fearless player. He reminds many of a young Ray Lewis without the handcuffs. He is extremely strong for his size, and covers the field well. His coverage skills need some work, and his recognition is average, but when he sees the play, he gets to the ball in a hurry. He pursues ball carriers like the channel 4 news team pursues Veronica Corningstone. He “wants to be on them.” Beason will flow from sideline to sideline, and become another great NFL linebacker from the U. Hopefully he will be off the board when the Ravens pick in the first round.

2. Paul Posluszny 6-1 235 Penn State
Paul is a football player. He looks and fits the part of a linebacker. His instincts are unmatched, and his non stop motor constantly puts him in the middle of the action. His tackling is textbook as well. He has the chiseled frame of a Spartan from the movie 300, and the skills to be a solid NFL player should he stay healthy. He would look good in a Patriots uniform playing alongside Mike Vrabel.

3. Lawrence Timmons 6-3 230 FSU
Timmons is the only player in this year’s draft that mirrors the likes of Kamerion Wimbley and Manny Lawson, as a tweener guy who can put his hand down and get to the quarterback. He is explosive getting into the backfield, and made 18 tackles for losses last year, including 5 sacks. He is a game changer, and an excellent addition to team seeking a 3-4 pass rushing linebacker.

4. Stewart Bradley 6-3 255 Nebraska
Bradley has the size and power of Lou Ferigno with or without the green paint. He can play linebacker, or put a hand down and play end with that kind of size. He had over 75 tackles as a senior. He can really take on blocks and clog up traffic in the middle. He only recorded one career interception and rumor has it he is trying to improve his hands by working with Quincy Morgan in the off season. Bradley is a versatile guy who can play outside, inside, or as a D end so he will add a lot of value for a team, especially one who plays in a 3-4.

5. Rufus Alexander 6-1 225 Oklahoma
Besides having the coolest name in the draft, Rufus also has some serious skills as a football player. His production has been ridiculous at Oklahoma. As a junior, he recorded 102 tackles with 17 behind the line of scrimmage, and 5 sacks. He mirrored that effort as a senior with 118 tackles with 12 tackles for losses and 4 sacks. Those numbers are insane for a guy who many scouts feel is an undersized guy. There are bigger, stronger, and faster guys in the draft, but very few with production like that. Sometimes you have to forget the measurables and watch game tape, and when you do, Alexander jumps off the screen. He is everywhere on the field, and very aggressive for a little guy. He should be around in late round two, but could become a surprise star in the NFL.

The Best Of The Rest
Buster Davis 5-9 245 FSU – Productive guy who plays like London Fletcher.
Tim Shaw 6-1 235 Penn State – 3 year starter who is hard working special team’s demon.
Stephen Nicholas 6-2 230 S FLA – An absolute beast on the field.
Earl Everett 6-2 235 Fla – Great pass defending LB. Very fast, but not too physical.
Tony Taylor 6-1 235 Georgia – 100 tackles and 7 ints’s as a senior. Great in coverage.

Outlook: The Browns have Wimbley and Peek, and some versatile players like Stewart, Williams, and Thompson, so linebacker is not a priority but could always be upgraded.

CORNER BACK
Current Situation:
Leigh “the flea” Bodden has been solid for the Browns the last two seasons. Not only is one of the best coverage corners in the league, but he also leads the league in change of hair do’s during the season (my favorite is the afro puffs). The Gary Baxter experiment went horribly wrong when he had a freakish torn patella…in both knees. Only in Cleveland. So a scrappy bunch of youngsters took over including Daven Holly who played solid with a bunch of picks. We also have guys like Jereme Perry, Ralph Brown, who did little to make us forget the likes of Ray Mickens. The only addition this off season has been Kenny Wright, a veteran from Washington, who is serviceable at best. That signing kind of feels like trying to fix a gunshot wound with Tussin. And don’t forget we do have youngsters in the mix like Jeremy LeSeur, Therrian “don’t call me Herman” Fontenot, “Eric” Demario Minter, Antonio Perkins (just gonna have to cut him again), Justin Sandy and some guy named Ben Emmanuel?. The Browns would be smart to address this position in the draft. Unfortunately, it is not as deep as in years past, so finding an Anthony Henry in round four is unlikely. They need to find a CB on the first day.

1. Leon Hall 5-11 200 Michigan
Leon Hall has been a starter at Michigan since his freshman season, impressive when you think of how many football players they churn out every year. He had 12 career interceptions with 15 passes batted down in his senior year alone. As a result of all that playing time, Hall has become the most technically solid cornerback to come out of college in a while. He is a gambler, which gets him in trouble a lot… see OSU game, but he is very consistent and his chances can pay off…see ND game. He is also one of the smarter guys in the draft football wise, probably due to all the action he has seen. Scouts were doubting his athletic ability, but a solid combine in which he ran a 4.3 forty quieted those grumbles. Hall is a very safe pick, because he is a good kid, a consistent performer, and can play all coverages. He should be the first CB off the board, and teams who have needs at this postion may look to trade down to the middle of the first round where he should be available.

2. Darrelle Revis 6-0 190 Pitt
Revis is a very physical cornerback. Has very good jamming technique, and is very smooth in turning his hips to recover. He is also very disciplined, and does not take a lot of chances. As a result he doesn’t pick off a lot of passes. He is also a great return man, which should add value for him in the draft. Scouts feel Revis is a no doubt player, who will contribute immediately to any team who drafts him.

3. Aaron Ross 6-0 190 Texas
Ross was the Thorpe award winner, given to the top DB in college. He played behind and learned from NFL players like Nathan Vasher (Bears) and Cedric Griffin (Vikes). He had a great season as a senior recording 77 tackles, 6 int’s 19 passes broken up, and three forced fumbles including 2 recovered. He is very good in all aspects of the coverage game. His girlfriend is the United States champion in the 400 yard dash, so like Mighty Minnie, he is nowhere near the fastest half in his relationship. He can use his hands to disrupt timing, he can turn and run with every receiver, and is good at finding the ball in the air. He has the speed and break on the ball to gamble, which he does a lot of. Ross could be a mid to late first round pick, maybe to the Broncos, or Chiefs.

4. Daymeion Hughes 5-10 190 Cal
Hughes is the only draft eligible player who lettered in Tennis in high school, which must have really impressed his teammates at Cal. He is also a devoted artist who claims to get his inspiration from Salvador Dali. The last Brown to share his love for the arts was Steve Everitt, who I here can still be found selling finger paintings outside of Arabica Coffee House in Coventry. Hughes is also a blanket corner, who is very physical and aggressive. He recorded 13 interceptions in the last two seasons as a starter. His speed is the concern where he ran in the 4.6 range at the combine. He may struggle to cover the faster guys in the league. However, his physical play can slow them down, and he is a great tackler. His could go anywhere in the second round.

5. Chris Houston 5-11 185 Arkansas
Houston blazed a trail at the combine running multiple 4.3 times and slightly edging out the authors of this draft report best ever time by over a full second. He is very quick on the short routes over the middle, and the curls to the sideline, but will fall for double moves. He has a short memory which is a must for any cornerback. He also does a very nice job in tackling. If he can get some coaching on technique, he may end up being the best corner from this draft.

The Best of the Rest
Marcus McCauley 6-1 200 Fresno St. – Awesome size. Inconsistent as a senior.
Tanard Jackson 6-0 190 Cuse – Versatility to play corner and safety.
Ryan Smith 5-10 170 FLA – 8 interception season. Very aggressive.
Josh Wilson 5-9 190 Maryland – Big Hitter with awesome speed.
Jonathon Wade 5-10 190 Tenn – Raw, sensational athlete with room to get better.
Eric Wright 5-11 190 UNLV – Gambler who can get burned.

Outlook: The Browns have to address this position on day one. Bodden has been hurt and he needs a player opposite him better than Daven Holly or Ralph Brown. There is a pretty deep class here. I would love to see the Browns trade down to about 15 and take the best corner on the board, preferably Leon Hall from Michigan, but Savage is hell bent on some of the top guys. In the second round, a guy like Tanard Jackson could be our next Anthony Henry. And with our solid safeties, a gambler like Ryan Smith from Florida would be nice with his 8 interceptions from last year. I have seen enough of the Daylon McCutcheon 10 yard cushion coverage.

Safeties
Cleveland Situation:
The Browns have a very solid starting core at safety this year, and a few decent reserves. First, we have strong safety Sean Jones who put up Pro Bowl numbers last year and was easily one of the best surprises of the year. Dr. Z of SI called him hands down, the best safety in the NFL. While I have made outrageous claims about Browns players before (like calling Chaun Thompson the next Derrick Thomas) even I wouldn’t go that far about SJ. Next to him will be first year starter Brodney Pool, who is my favorite player since Earl Little. He is very versatile, being able to cover like a corner, and tackle like a safety. I like the prospect of having him roaming around like a centerfielder. We lost veteran Brian Russell, whose only real contribution was absolutely knocking the snot out of Chad Johnson when he looked like Wesley Snipes in Demolition Man (wow…two Snipes references without using Major League). However, we did add veteran Mike Adams (yeah, I’ve never heard of him either), and we have second year Hokie Justin Hamilton who played fairly solid for a rookie last year. Don’t look for the Browns to add any depth here in the draft, which is too bad, because this is one hell of a safety class.

1. LaRon Landry 6-2 205 LSU
Landry is the best defensive player in this draft in my opinion. He could have been a first round pick last year, but stayed at LSU and just got better. He came into the combine as a 6-2 200+ athlete who ran a 4.35 forty. Scouts jaws dropped farther than when I saw the sex scene in Team America World Police for the first time. He is simply freakish. He can cover like a cornerback, and hit like a linebacker. He is rarely out of position, and is a smart X and O’s guy. Nick Saban called him the smartest player he ever coached. That’s a pretty sweet compliment, even if it comes from a notorious liar. Landry could be picked as high as 5 by the Arizona Cardinals to replace Robert Griffith (yes someone still pays him to play), or at worst 10 by the Falcons. Either will be very happy.

2. Reggie Nelson 6-0 195 Florida
Reggie Nelson is the Total Package to safety, just as Lex Luger was to the WWF. He has size, speed, and instincts. He is a free safety that can take over a game. He had an awesome senior year recording 6 interceptions. He is a weight room warrior and it shows in his hitting game. Not the brightest student to ever graduate from Florida, however, he knows his position. One scout said “He may not have the grades in the classroom, but he understands everything he needs to on the football field.” He was a finalist for this year’s Roderick Green Memorial Award, but was beaten out by a very deserving Tank Tyler.

3. Michael Griffin 6-0 195 Texas
Griffin has been a tackling machine at Texas with over 120 tackles in his Junior and Senior years. He is a good hitter who forced four fumbles this season and intercepted four also. He has good size, and his outstanding athletic ability makes him a game-changer. He seems to play his best in big time situations which thrills scouts. Griffith will be a very solid pick and a no doubt starter for years to come.

4. Brandon Meriweather 5-10 190 The U
There was a time when it seemed like every other player selected in the draft was from Miami. However, without the shadiness of Butch Davis, clearly recruiting has fallen off a bit, and Miami is only pumping out a few pros now. One will be Brandon Merriweather, famous for his stomping of a player on the ground in the fight against Florida International, and firing a gun at an intruder in his back yard. These antics have made Brandon the recipient of this years aforementioned Jeremiah Pharms/Pac Man Jones award. Congrats, Brandon. However, as a player, Meriweather is darn good. He draws comparisons to former Cane Ed Reed. Although he may not be that caliber of a player, he has some serious skills. He is a great centerfielder, with good speed and quickness to play the ball well in the air. He is a pounding hitter for his size, like Bob Sanders from the Colts. If he keeps his head on football, he can be an awesome safety in the NFL.

5. Eric Weddle 5-11 205 Utah
Weddle is a solid performer who can play either strong safety or free safety. He has a lot of experience as a four year starter. His tackling is outstanding and he showed a knack for the ball with 6 picks as a senior. He is very instinctive, but lacks the athletic ability of the real top notch safeties. However, he can be a very solid contributor to special teams, and maybe even crack a starting lineup.

The Best of the Rest
Sabby Piscatelli 6-3 225 Oreg St. – Big time hitter with huge size. Might be LB in pros.
Aaron Rouse 6-3 220 VT – Great size and speed and room to get better. A project.
John Wendling 6-1 220 Wyoming – Good coverage safety. Needs to improve tackling.
Michael Johnson 6-3 210 Zona – Lacks consistency, but solid
Josh Gattis 6-1 205 WF – Technician with good speed.

Outlook: With the dynamic duo of Sean Jones and Brodney Pool, the Browns would be smart to address other holes in the lineup because they do exist. In fact, they are so big, there aren’t enough rounds in this draft to address them all. Hopefully, Phil will work some magic.



MIGHTY MINNIE'S MOCK FIRST ROUND
(This neglects trades which I think will be a big part of the draft this year, including Atlanta trading up to get hometown hero Calvin Johnson, and Buffalo trading up to get Adrian Peterson.)

1. Oakland: Jamarcus Russell, QB, LSU
2. Detroit: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
3. Cleveland: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
4. Tampa Bay: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
5. Arizona: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
6. Washington: LaRon Landry, S, LSU
7. Minnesota: Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
8. Atlanta: Tedd Ginn Jr., WR/ATH, Ohio State
9. Miami: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
10. Houston: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
11. San Fransisco: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
12. Buffalo: Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss
13. St. Louis: Alan Branch, DT/NT, Michigan
14. Carolina: Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
15. Pittsburgh: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
16. Green Bay: Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal
17. Jacksonville: Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
18. Cincinatti: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pitt
19. Tennesse: Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
20. NY Giants: Jon Beason, OLB, Miami
21. Denver: Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
22. Dallas: Lawrence Timmons, OLB/DE, FSU
23. Kansas City: Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
24. New England: Paul Pozluzny, OLB, Penn State
25. New York Jets: Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
26. Philadelphia: Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
27. New Orleans: Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
28. New England: Michael Griffin, S, Texas
29. Baltimore: David Harris, ILB, Michigan
30. San Diego: Brandon Merriweather, S, Miami
31. Chicago: Greg Olsen, TE, Miami
32. Indianapolis: Anthony Spencer, DE, Purdue

Mighty Minnie's hopes for the Browns:
Round 1/Pick 3- Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Round 2/Pick 36 –Justin Blalock, OG, Texas
Round 3/ Pick 67 – Ray McDonald, DE, Florida
Round 4/ Pick 103 Cleveland Trades pick 103 to KC for QB, Trent Green
Round 5/ Pick 140 – Ryan Smith, CB, Florida
Round 6/ Pick 178 – Calvin Bannister, CB, Hampton
Round 7/ Pick 213 – Doug Datish, C, OSU


TOP DAWG’S MOCK FIRST ROUND

1. Oakland Raiders: Jamarcus Russell, QB, LSU
2. Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
3. Cleveland Browns: All Day Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
5. Arizona Cardinals: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
6. Washington Redskins: Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
7. Minnesota Vikings: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
8. Atlanta Falcons (from Texans): LaRon Landry, S, LSU
9. Miami Dolphins: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
10. Houston Texans (from Falcons): Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
11. San Francisco 49ers: Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
12. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss
13. St. Louis Rams: Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
14. Carolina Panthers: Greg Olsen, TE, Miami (FL)
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pitt
16. Green Bay Packers: Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Anthony Spencer, DE, Purdue
19. Tennessee Titans: Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal
20. New York Giants: Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
21. Denver Broncos: Jon Beason, LB, Miami (FL)
22. Dallas Cowboys: Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State
23. Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
24. New England Patriots (from Seahawks): Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
25. New York Jets: Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
26. Philadelphia Eagles: Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
27. New Orleans Saints: Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
28. New England Patriots: Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State
29. Baltimore Ravens: Ben Grubbs, OG, Auburn
30. San Diego Chargers: Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
31. Chicago Bears: Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State
32. Indianapolis Colts: Eric Wright, CB, UNLV