Browns' Draft Discussion

For a team with such a poor defense, it's amazing how specialized the Brown's defensive roster became under Eric Mangini. Therefore, the transition to the 4-3 defense isn't going to be a very smooth one. Most notable is the absence of a player who is a good fit at 4-3 defensive end. Matt Roth may work, but I doubt he'll be an average DE. Marcus Bernard is a great pass rusher, but he's not going to work with his hand in the ground on every play. That being said, I'm still advocating the Brown's drafting a Wide Receiver with their first pick.

I almost always advocate drafting defense and offensive line players high. I really hate that almost every first round pick the Browns have had sine their return has been spent of an offensive player. I believe that a philosophy where defenders are drafted high and you can find offensive talent later works well.

However, The Browns offense can't function with any success with the players it has now. There is no receiving threat. All but a few defenses in the NFL can line up with the Browns receiving corps one-on-one and not worry about getting beat. That means the running game can be easily stuffed and on passing downs there's freedom to bring heavy blitzes. I think Colt McCoy could be a good NFL Quarterback, but he will certainly fail in this offense.

There is a lot a hesitance about drafting a Receiver so high in the draft. An argument that is heard a lot is that a receiver only can have an impact when he touches the ball, which requires a lot of things to happen before hand. Whereas other positions can have impacts on every play. I don't think that's right. A talented receiver can create more fear in a defense than any other player on the field. The defense isn't able to compact against the run with out the risk of allowing a deep Touchdown.

Obviously, The Browns shouldn't take just any receiver at the 6th pick. A.J. Green is one of the top prospects in the Draft. He would be the number one person on my board if I were in the Browns' Front Office. Julio Jones is a bit more interesting. He certainly wasn't considered worthy of the 6th pick prior to the combine. He was very impressive at the combine; posting big numbers. Of course that can be deceiving. The combine makes a blind man out of a lot of talent scouts.

I think Jones is worth the pick. Hist talent is evident. He's not as sure of a thing as I think Green is, but that doesn't mean he won't work out in the NFL.

As the Browns are drafting sixth, here is how I think the Browns should rank their prospects:

1. A.J. Green WR- Georgia

2. Julio Jones WR- Alabama

3. Marcell Dareus DT- Alabama

4. Patrick Peterson CB- LSU

5. Robert Quinn DE- UNC

6. Nick Fairley DT- Auburn

Everyone always wants to trade down and that wouldn't be a terrible choice for the Browns. However, it is almost impossible to trade out of a high pick. A team has to give up so much to move up in the draft and it's such a risk. Trading up can set a Franchise back if it goes wrong. So, usually a team is trapped in a high pick and needs to take the player that is best for their franchise.

Thanks for reading.

-Michael

National Championship Prediction

I think this game will be similar to last year's national championship game. It'll be tight throughout. Connecticut has the edge in talent, but Butler's game can negate that advantage. I personally think Brad Stevens is the best coach in college basketball. His team is very disciplined and almost always come out with an effective game plan.

I think that ultimately that the difference in the game is going to be Kemba Walker. He's been the best player in college basketball late in the season. Butler won't stress down the stretch, but neither will Walker. He'll make the needed shots down the stretch.

Connecticut(-3.5) 65
Butler 63

-Michael