Team Needs
Team Needs:
QB
DE
OG
OT
WR
ILB
CB
The Skinny: As of today (mid January), I guess we are going to have to operate under the assumption that Mike Holmgren will be retaining Eric Mangini, and thus the Browns will be sticking with their 3-4. Whatever they do, odds are they're going to want to improve their QB situation. Derek Anderson was a one year wonder, and Brady Quinn has never come close to showing he can deliver the goods. The Browns are aging at the DE spot and could use an upgrade over Robaire Smith and Kenyon Coleman. They also would be wise to supplant former C Hank Fraley at RG and look to upgrade the RT position. The Browns acquired a couple of pass catchers last year in the draft in Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi, but it wouldn't be a shock if they looked for a stud WR early in this year's draft to replace the departed Braylon Edwards.
4/15 Update: I can't really get a good read on what Holmgren is doing here. He brought in a lot of new faces, but none that are seemingly big impact guys. QBs Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme, MLB Scott Fujita, OLB Chris Gocong, CB Sheldon Brown, C Eric Ghiaciuc. They lost C Hank Fraley and G Rex Hadnot, as well as S Brodney Pool. No real changes in their team needs based on this, in our opinion.
Mock Draft
1
-7.
DE
Carlos Dunlap,
Florida
The Skinny: S Eric Berry will be the pick if he slides, but we don't see him making it past the Chiefs. So where do they go if Berry is not around? Defensive end and quarterback are top needs. The Browns aren't taking Clausen. Dunlap has seen his stock drop like a rock according to most experts, but he is one of the few ends that can play in a 3-4 and don't be fooled...he has plenty of talent.
2
-6.
QB
Colt McCoy,
Texas
The Skinny: The Browns grab the all-time college football win leader as the quarterback of the future. They won't be paying first round money, so the can afford to wait on McCoy's development.