Wishful Offseason for the Browns
By Rudy Haynesworth on January 16, 2012
The Browns finished off bad enough to be in a great position to acquire two of the top players at their positions in this year’s draft. Cleveland has the fourth overall draft pick and also picked up the 22nd pick from the draft day trade to Atlanta which gave them Julio Jones. Please tell me Browns that you passed on Julio Jones to get Justin Blackmon. Even though rookie Greg Little led the receiving core with 61 receptions, he only caught 2 TDs.
I ‘ve got a huge wishlist for the Browns that begins with the receiver position. I have a couple names for you Browns fans. They are Alshon Jefferies, Michael Floyd, and Kendall Wright are all receivers the Browns could snag with that 22nd pick (especially if they don’t draft Blackmon). Robert Griffin III wouldn’t be a bad pick for the Browns at 4 either, especially with the unsure future of McCoy.
The need position for the Browns are at receiver, quarterback, and running back for the offense. That’s right I said running back. Peyton Hillis status in Cleveland is questionable at best. For a guy that missed 6 games this season it is unreasonable for him to expect a big contract this offseason. A couple guys early in the draft (especially at 22) that would be great picks are Oregon’s LeMichael James and Trent Richardson. Alabama’s Heisman finalist Richardson won’t be available at 22, and urge the Browns not to take him at with the 1st pick.
On defense the needs are numerous as well. Eric Haden is a one man secondary. T.J. Ward may have over-achieved in his first year and was injury prone in college. Even if he is healthy there are still big needs at free safety and weakside corner. Sheldon Brown is aged and Dimitri Patterson is a nickelback. Corner is a position the Browns might attempt to draft in the 3rd round. Safety can be addressed in the 4th round. The University of Miami has a couple safeties in the draft.
But, the defensive end and outside linebacker positions can’t be overlooked. I like Zach Brown out of North Carolina at outside linebacker. But, I primarily think that this need should be addressed through free agency and Chris Gocong deserved a chance to start again next season. The Browns defensive line was drastically improved, but opposite Jabaal Sheard is a big hole.
Offensive line and tight end aint sexy, but its West Coast offense. I am uncertain about Ben Watson’s future and I actually like Lavaou and Pinkston on the right side for the Browns with a healthy Eric Steinbach. But, at tight end I’m not sure I’m ready for Evan Moore to start (sarcasm). The Browns would do well to draft an H-Back (like Marecic) in the 3rd to 5th rounds to help in the passing game. A veteran tight end would also be a good addition. I don’t like tight end Alex Smith.
Well fellow Browns fans I would imagine that the debate between Colt McCoy empathizers and haters will continue through the offseason. I like McCoy. I like his guts and decision making. His leadership and mobility aren’t bad either. He was a 3rd round draft pick. So was Charlie Frye. Sorry to tell you guys, but the Browns must at least push McCoy through competition.
Draft a QB like Russell Wilson or Kellen Moore between the 4th and 6th rounds and push McCoy to excel his game in his third year. You also achieve depth at quarterback with this draft pick with an aging Senecca Wallace the only relief at the position. If they don’t draft QB (which they will) a player like Matt Flynn would also accomplish the same goal to force competition.
I will provide a Browns mock draft throughout the offseason, but for now just know there is hope. This defense and offensive line are better than people want to give them credit. Improve this offense and bring in a lot of new players. The Browns new offensive coordinator must communicate to Shurmur the importance of getting players that can succeed in their system. If they go by my model here, they will have great success this offseason.
