News hounds (5/24/12)
Fenwick vs. Felicity
Meadowdale graduation 2012
Home > Blogs > Dawging the Browns > Archives > 2010 > January > 27
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
A quarterback in the first round?
ESPN’s original draft guru Mel Kiper has come out with his analysis of Browns’ draft needs. He ranks them this way: quarterback, big running back, cornerback, safety, outside linebacker, wide receiver, tight end.
Makes sense, but would Mike Holmgren and Co. sink the No. 7 overall pick into a QB? I’m thinking not, and so is Kiper, who suggests Colt McCoy of Texas in the second round as a more realistic grab.
Then again, I saw one mock draft that had Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford falling into the 6-10 range. In that case, maybe a quarterback in that spot is the way to go.
Kiper’s recent mock draft — and I’ve seen this other places as well — has the Browns taking Florida cornerback Joe Haden. Says the guru, “I’m not convinced the Browns will be willing to draft a quarterback simply because the position is unsettled. In Haden, they can’t go wrong with by far the top CB on the board, a player they can plug in from day one. A deft cover corner and great tackler, Haden is the total package.”
With 11 draft picks and almost as many needs, the Browns will have a chance to infuse the roster with youth. Of course, now they must make those picks count, which they haven’t always done. No need here to recall the string of busts from years gone by. Plenty of time for that later.
In the second round, Kiper suggests these options for the Browns: Fresno State running back Ryan Matthews, Georgia Tech running back Jonathan Dwyer, McCoy and South Carolina outside linebacker Eric Norwood.
Kiper also mentions Stanford RB Toby Gerhart as a possibility. If nothing else, it would conjure images of “Touchdown Tommy” Vardell, a Stanford RB who turned out to be a colossal bust when Bill Belichick drafted him.
Also from Kiper: “I think there’s a good chance Cleveland will wait a while to make a decision on a QB, so while the ‘need’ is at that position, it’s also one of direction. Do the Browns stick with one of their guys or make a deal? I’d like to see them add a big back. They could also add a rushing linebacker or a tight end and fulfill needs there.”
