2011 Cleveland Browns Draft Needs
Written by Steve Janus
The Cleveland Browns finished the 2010 NFL season 5-11, but it appears this team is headed in the right direction. Pat Shurmur takes over for Eric Mangini at head coach after spending the last two seasons as the St Louis Rams offensive coordinator. Shurmur will take over a young and talented Cleveland team that has had just one wining season in the last eight years.
The Browns really did a nice job in the 2010 draft. Corner Joe Haden turned in an impressive rookie season with 64 tackles, 18 pass breakups, and six interceptions. Safety T.J. Ward led the team with 123 tackles. Quarterback Colt McCoy showed he was well worth a third round pick. Guard Shawn Lauvao has potential to be a starter sooner rather than later. All this and the Browns didn’t even get a chance to see what running back Montario Hardesty had to offer after he went down with a torn ACL in the preseason finale.
Cleveland will have a chance to get even better with the No. 6 pick in the 2011 draft. The Browns still have plenty of spots that need some help, especially on the defensive side where they are expected to make the shift to the 4-3 under new coordinator Dick Jauron. Here is a look at the five positions I feel the Browns need to address in the draft. Find out who we have the Browns taking in the first round in our 2011 NFL Mock draft.
Wide Receiver: The Browns’ leading receivers in 2010 were tight end Ben Watson and running back Petyon Hillis. Mohamed Massaquoi didn’t make the improvements the Browns were hoping to see. With Cleveland sitting at No. 6 in the first round, I think it’s a no-brainer that they have to take A.J. Green out of Georgia if he manages to fall that far. If not I think they have to look at Alabama’s Julio Jones, who is also all but a lock to be a star in the NFL. Don’t be surprised if the Browns make multiple picks at receiver.
Defensive End: With the move back to the 4-3 the Browns need to add someone who can put pressure on the quarterback up front. If Green is off the board and the Browns aren’t sold on Jones, look for them to take a shot on Robert Quinn out of North Carolina.
Offensive Line: While the left side of the line is set, the right side could use some help. There isn’t a player worth taking in the first round at No. 6. Georgia guard Clint Boling and TCU tackle Marcus Cannon will be options in the second, while Florida tackle Marcus Gilbert and Florida State guard Rodney Hudson should be available in the third.
Corner: The Browns need to start looking for someone to start opposite of Haden. Sheldon Brown held down the job in 2010, but will be 32 this season. With the corner class pretty deep the Browns should be able to wait and get good value in the fourth round.
Linebacker: While the Browns could likely get by with what they have at linebacker in 2011, I think they need to try and add some depth for the future with either their fifth round selection or one of their two sixth round picks. They didn’t take a single linebacker in the 2010 draft, and I think it would be a mistake if they did the same thing in 2011.
Individual NFL Team Mock Drafts
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