2011 NFL Draft Needs: Cleveland Browns

by GarrettFalk on Mar 9, 2011 2:15 PM EST in Mocking the AFC North

CLEVELAND - AUGUST 21: Chris Chamberlain #57 of the St. Louis Rams tackles Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 21 2010 in Cleveland Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns suffered their third straight losing season in 2010-11 and team President Mike Holmgren wasted no time this offseason in firing coach Eric Mangini. Holmgren tabbed St. Louis offensive coordinator Pat Shurmar as his replacement in hopes he can have the same effect on Colt McCoy as he did Sam Bradford. Shurmar and Holmgren share similar coaching philosophies and it will be interesting to see how the first-time head coach runs the team.

Shurmar inherits an offense that already has a few key pieces in place, but still struggled mightily this past season. Three different quarterbacks started last season for the Browns, but it was the rookie McCoy that showed the best handle of the offense. With a full offseason as the starter, McCoy should only continue to get better. The only good thing Brady Quinn ever did for Cleveland was allow them to acquire running back Peyton Hillis from the Denver Broncos. Hillis emerged as a star last season, finishing with 1,177 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. In addition, Hillis proved to be an effective weapon in the passing game, catching 61 passes. Pro Bowlers Joe Thomas and Alex Mack will continue to anchor the offensive line.

The Browns ran a 3-4 defense under Mangini, but Shurmur named veteran coach Dick Jauron as the new defensive coordinator and the team will transition back to a 4-3. Cleveland’s most stable area on defense is in its secondary where rookies T.J. Ward and Joe Haden had solid first seasons. The focus this offseason will be on improving the front seven as they switch defenses. Marcus Benard led the Browns with only 7.5 sacks so finding a pass rusher will be one of the more immediate needs.

1. Wide Receiver: Cleveland has been lacking a true No. 1 receiver since the 2007 season when Braylon Edwards had 1,289 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. Tight end Ben Watson led the team in receiving last season with 68 catches and 783 yards. Chansi Stuckey, Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie are nice complement targets, but I’m sure Shurmur would love to see A.J. Green fall to them at the sixth overall pick. If Green is off the board at six, the Browns could turn to Julio Jones who is coming off a strong combine. Cleveland, who finished 31st in points per game in 2010, should definitely be looking to add another weapon for McCoy.

2. Defensive Tackle: The Browns had the sixth worst rushing defense in 2010 and with the subtraction of Shaun Rogers they will have to add at least one defensive tackle. If Cleveland goes with a receiver in the first round it will still have plenty of tackles to consider in round two. Prospects like Phil Taylor, Muhammad Wilkerson and Marvin Austin should all be high on Cleveland’s radar.

3. Rush LB/DE: Whether it’s at linebacker or defensive end, the Browns need to improve their pass rush. Cleveland’s 29 sacks last season were ranked 25th in the NFL and like I stated above they didn’t have one player finish in double-digit sacks. If the Browns don’t select a receiver in the first round they could take a flyer on North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn. Von Miller, the top rushing linebacker in the draft, may be available as well.

Poll

What is Cleveland's biggest need?

Wide receiver

131 votes

Defensive tackle

65 votes

Rush LB/DE

91 votes

Other

10 votes

297 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Spot on. Great job.

by Legoman0721 on Mar 9, 2011 2:58 PM EST reply actions

When you're converting your front seven, you need to pretty much entirely redo your defense.

A 4-3 isn’t a 3-4 and therefore the necessary pieces aren’t the same. 3-4s are all about the linebackers, while 4-3s are all about the DLine. The Browns suddenly have a huge need across the defensive front seven for 4-3 guys and while some may be able to make the transition, how many can do it and still be worth however much they’re paying them?

by Doc Scratch on Mar 9, 2011 4:42 PM EST reply actions

I wouldn’t say LB’s or D-line is more important in one scheme, but would say you need a different type of D-line and LB’s depending on the scheme. I agree that you do need to redo the front seven if you have guys that aren’t very versatile, but feel both are equally important no matter what scheme you run.

by AV23 on Mar 9, 2011 6:44 PM EST up reply actions

It's a lot of wrok to change from a 3-4 to a 4-3

and it will likely take a couple of years. However, if your offense is a good one it will make take a lot of pressure off the defense. The Browns have thier QB who they are developing, a strong run game and a very good line, but no legit #1 reciever. Either Jones or Green (especially Green) would be a huge upgrade and help to develop your fledgling franchise QB while being able to at least help out the defense. I don’t think you can fill all your problems on the D in one year with that type of transition, but you can fix the offense in one pick.

This is the most popular sport in America blaming its feet for insolence and cutting them off with a chainsaw to show them who's the boss in this arrangement. When it bleeds out, it will admit no regrets because those who paint themselves into corners forget that a path out ever existed.

by einman77 on Mar 9, 2011 7:36 PM EST up reply actions

100% wide reciever.. no questions asked; i had peyton hillis in fantasy last year so i got to watch about 4 or 5 browns games;

trust me, they need a receiver more than anything. They had NO ONE to help make plays on offense, give McCoy someone to throw to, heck maybe draft 2 receivers lol..Benjamin Watson was alright as a tight end though.

by FgallosJAGS on Mar 10, 2011 8:09 AM EST reply actions