Photo: TotalProSports

With the NFL Draft on Saturday, it's about time that CurseOfCleveland gets with the program and gives you its take on the Browns' prospects in this key draft for the franchise.

First and foremost, here are the draft picks that the Browns currently have:

1st Round - 5th overall pick
2nd Round - 36th overall pick
2nd Round - 50th overall pick
4th Round - 104th overall pick
6th Round - 177th overall pick
**Thank Phil Savage for the lack of picks in the 3rd, 5th, and 7th rounds.

Biggest Team Needs: DE, DT, LB, WR, S

One of the many issues for the Browns last season was their inability to rush the passer. Cleveland as a team had just 17 sacks in their 16 games. Pro Bowl DT Shaun Rogers led the team with 4.5, LB Kamerion Wimbley had 4, and LB Alex Hall had 3 in limited reps backing up Willie McGinest. The NFL is all about getting to the quarterback on the defensive side of the ball, and the Browns have lacked that critical pass rush since their return in 1999. They've tried to go after those high-profile defensive lineman and linebackers, but Courtney Brown and Gerard Warren were busts, and Kamerion Wimbley took a step back the last two seasons (9 sacks combined) after a rookie campaign where he notched 11 sacks. There are, however, several candidates at the 5th slot in the draft where the Browns could go either D-line or linebacker. They include DT B.J. Raji (Boston College), DE Aaron Maybin (Penn State), DE/LB Brian Orakpo (Texas), DE Robert Ayers (Tennessee), and DE Everette Brown (Florida State). One of these guys would fit in nicely with the other linemen (Rogers, Shaun Smith, Robaire Smith, and Corey Williams). Also, two of the USC trio of linebackers could be available when the Browns pick in the second round (Rey Malagua, Clay Matthews III).

The Browns lost a key contributor to the defensive secondary when strong safety Sean Jones signed a free-agent deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Browns re-signed backup safety Mike Adams, but if he is a starter for the Browns, they have serious issues. Jones had a solid season last year (56 tackles, 4 INT, 1 FF), and he won't easily be replaced. The only safety possibility that high is Malcolm Jenkins, but his stock has fallen recently, and he will probably slip into the teens. Jenkins in my opinion will need to make the move to safety in the NFL, and he should be a solid one. Look for the Browns to pick up a safety with one of their first three picks though.

Another way the Browns may go is to draft one of the high-profile wide receivers available. Both Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree and Missouri WR Jeremy Maclin should be available when the Browns pick, and it certainly is an area of concern for the Brownies. With the release of Joe Jurevicius, the current legal troubles of Donte' Stallworth, and the imminent trade of high-profile crybaby Braylon Edwards, the Browns could enter the draft with a receiving unit of Josh Cribbs, David Patten, Syndric Steptoe, and not much else. Crabtree is a highlight-reel type of guy who is largely believed to be the best receiver in the draft and possibly the best overall prospect. He posted 1,962 yards receiving and 22 TDs in his (redshirt) freshman year and 1,165 and 19 TDs this season as a third year sophomore. He's listed as 6-1, but his size is not an issue with his long arms according to scouts. Maclin, listed at 6 foot, is another third year sophomore who is one of the more versatile players in the draft. Maclin excelled at receiver as well as returner at Mizzou, where he piled up 2,776 and 2,833 all-purpose yards in his two seasons along with 3 return touchdowns. As a receiver, he reached the 1,000 yard mark each year and had 22 total receiving TDs [1,055 yards, 9 TD (Fr. year), 1,260 yards, 13 TD (So. year)]. He also added 668 yards rushing and 6 rushing TDs in his two collegiate years. Maclin's an all-around threat, and he would be a real entertaining guy to watch in Cleveland.

The Pick: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

While Cleveland could really use a pass rusher, I feel they can address that with either of their second round picks adequately. The Browns offense needs an explosive, big-play receiver like Crabtree, especially when Braylon Edwards departs, either on draft day or at the end of next season for free agency. Crabtree played in a competitive conference in the Big 12, and he has been going up against the best DB every team has to offer for two seasons now, if not double coverage. In my opinion, whoever gets Crabtree won't be disappointed.

The Other Candidates: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College, Brian Orakpo, DE/LB, Texas

To me, these are the two I single out among the several candidates at the defensive line/linebacker positions. Raji, at 6'2" and 337 pounds, racked up 42 total tackles (22 solo) to go with 7 sacks last year. If they got Raji, the Browns would have to run more 4-3 formations or move Shaun Rogers out to defensive end. It would give the Browns more pass rush, but could make them a little slow and too bulky along the line. Orakpo (6'3" and 263 lbs.) had 40 tackles (31 solo) and an impressive 11 sacks last season. Watching him in person against Ohio State and former NFL prospect LT Alex Boone, this guy is a flatout menace as he seemed to be in Terrelle Pryor or Todd Boeckman's face all night in the Fiesta Bowl. In my opinion, you cannot go wrong with either of these guys.

One more thing, there has been A LOT of chatter about the Browns taking USC QB Mark Sanchez with the fifth pick after a trade involving either Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson, most likely Quinn. Sanchez had a 65.8% completion rate, and threw for 3,207 yards with 34 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his first year as a starter. To me, this would be the most insanely idiotic thing the Browns as an organization could do. Trade away your presumed future franchise QB who you spent a first round pick (and more actually) on to draft another presumed future franchise QB with a first round pick? Am I missing something here? Do we not have an incredible strength at quarterback with Quinn and Anderson? Do we have to absolutely mess with the one position where we actually have some depth and talent? The answer apparently could be yes under the new Eric Mangini regime. Especially since apparently the Browns new braintrust (I use that term lightly) wasn't impressed by Crabtree's attitude in workouts.

As for the rest of the draft, here is my guess at what position the Browns will go for with each of their picks.

1st Round - Wide Receiver
2nd Round (1st pick) - Defensive Line/Linebacker
2nd Round (2nd pick) - Safety
4th Round - Running Back
6th Round - Defensive Line

Let's hope the Browns change the trend and have more hits than misses in this draft as they need to hit on their Top 3 picks, which are all in the first 50 overall.

HERE WE GO BROWNIES, HERE WE GO!

Kirk

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