SB Nation Writers Mock Draft: Round 2, Pick #36

by Dan Kadar on Apr 9, 2009 6:00 PM EDT in SB Nation Writers Mock Draft

No. 36

CLEVELAND
BROWNS
Pick by Dawgs By Nature

Percy Harvin
Wide receiver
Florida

Chris Pokorny from Dawgs By Nature continues to go after impact players in the draft, something the putrid Browns certainly need.

The Browns really struggled at the wide receiver position last year, and things have not gotten better this offseason. wide receiver Joe Jurevicius was released by the team, Donte Stallworth won't be in the team's future anymore after his recent incident, and tight end Kellen Winslow was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Braylon Edwards has shown the potential to be one of the best receivers in the league, but he had more drops in clutch situations last year than anyone could have expected. Veteran David Patten was the team's only free agent acquisition, and he's not the type of player that will jump start the receiver position.

Percy Harvin not only aids the Browns' receiving woes, he adds some much-needed spark. It's been awhile since Cleveland has had a receiver who was elusive and could create yardage after the catch (that was supposed to be Stallworth, but he failed miserably). In a way, Harvin can be seen as a player who can be utilized in the ways fans had been hoping Joshua Cribbs would be used as a WR the past several years. Like the previous regime though, I think Eric Mangini and company will find it critical to ensure Cribbs is focused on doing what he does best -- special teams. Had the Stallworth situation not occurred, this was a pick that really needed to be dedicated to the defensive side of the ball, with a wide receiver being chosen later. Unfortunately, wide receiver is now a higher priority while positions like safety and defensive lineman will have to take a back seat at this pick.

MTD thoughts: This pick would be quite the coup for Cleveland. The team needs to add a wide receiver, even if Edwards isn't traded. Harvin would give the offense another option, for whomever is the quarterback.

Mocking the Draft's Top Five Remaining Prospects - DE Michael Johnson, OT Phil Loadholt, OT Eben Britton, TE Brandon Pettigrew, QB Josh Freeman

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Comments

I love picking a receiver with this pick, but i would take britt over harvin

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Apr 9, 2009 6:30 PM EDT reply actions

good choice, I think

Can’t say I know either receiver really well, but from the little I do know of the two and of the Browns, I would go along with the choice of Harvin. I agree with the MTD commentary that Pettigrew still being on the board is interesting, but in the big picture I think adding a quality WR opposite Edwards is a greater need than adding a stud TE. (And that’s presuming Pettigrew will be a stud TE, which not all the scouts are agreed upon.)

One question I have (for any of the Cleveland experts out there), how are you guys set at OT? Ebon Britton is still sitting there and I wonder if there was serious consideration of taking him instead.

by JohnPaul on Apr 9, 2009 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

We could use a RT but Joe Thomas looks to have the LT spot nailed down for the next 10 years or so, unless something really odd happens. Loadholdt would have to be the pick over Britton for us.

We have many places where we need talent more than at RT, WR being one of them. With Stallworth looking like he won’t be playing football anytime soon our 2nd WR is Syndric Steptoe, who is not an NFL player IMHO, or David Patten who hasn’t been healthy in a bajillion years.

Depending on Steve Heiden’s recovery from injury, we have one decent TE in Robert Royal, a fan favorite blue collar guy in Heiden, and a young, pass catching TE in Martin Rucker who was never given a real chance by Romeo last year. Add that to the fact that the TE is supposedly not featured in our new offense, and I think the choice is easy.

Of course, I would much rather have Arrelious Benn…

by rufio on Apr 10, 2009 2:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Pettigrew is more of a blocking TE, and we have a solid one in Royal along with pass catchers Steve Heiden and Martin Rucker. Our only good WR right now is edwards, and if we dont pick someone to play opposite him, defenses will key on edwards every down.

We are set with OT with future HOFer Joe Thomas coming into his third year at LT and former bears LT John St. Clair at RT. We could also use have Ryan Tucker if we have to. But if a good RT like Loadholt is there at 50 i would love to take him.

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Apr 10, 2009 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions