Before addressing the subject posed in the title of this post, I'd like to take a look at the biggest areas of need on the current Browns roster. While the jury is still out on Brandon Weeden, Quarterback is not the greatest position of need. So what are the main positions that the Browns need to address, preferably sooner rather than later?
1) A speed Edge Rusher. In the 3-4 Defense, that usually means an Outside Linebacker. The Paul Kruger signing is a nice addition, and would be a decent supplement to an elite pass rusher on the other side, but unfortunately that person is not currently on the team. I'm very skeptical that Jabaal Sheard is going to be able to transition to Outside Linebacker, and I wouldn't be surprised to see his role reduced this year. The Browns have needed an elite pass rusher for a very long time now. They should be able to find their man with the first pick if they choose.
2) Defensive Back. As I see it, the Browns are currently short at least 2 Cornerbacks & a Free Safety, as well as depth at all positions in the Defensive Backfield. Joe Haden is good, but not as good as most Browns fans think he is. T.J. Ward is solid, at least against the run, but has trouble staying healthy. That's it. I don't think I can take another year of watching undersized Buster Skrine flailing around against Receivers, and either committing a penalty or giving up the big play. The Browns should be able to address their need at one of the DB positions, should they choose to do so.
3) Tight End. Jordan Cameron looks pretty shaky to me. He may still pan out, but right now he looks like a project that isn't going to result in a quality starter. They also lost 2 players at this position, so depth is needed. See yesterday's post for how I would hope they approach filling this need.
4) Kicking & Special Teams. They've basically cut loose of everyone who they had in the key positions on Special Teams, and using a very late round pick on a Kicker or Punter is probably not a bad idea. Travis Benjamin, among others, should be able to step into the Return slot vacated by Joshua Cribbs.
5) Overall Depth. Just about every position needs more bodies who can play. Not start, just give them solid play when they are called upon. This is one of the things that set the Patriots Super Bowl teams apart. Yes they had Brady and some play makers on both sides of the ball, but they also had quality rotational guys who they could plug in situationally while giving starters a breather.
I do not believe in drafting based on need alone, but I don't think you can just take the guy you have rated as the best player on your board. Ideally, there should be some fusing of the two, although I put more weight on taking the best player over pure need. You win with elite play makers on both sides of the ball. Being solid at all positions will probably result in a .500 team. More often than not, if it's well coached, elite talent wins out.
In the First Round of the 2013 Draft, there are really 3 players that I would be quite happy with, and it's quite possible that all three will be on the board when the Browns go on the clock at the No. 6 position. Those players are:
1) Chance Warmack, OG Alabama. In my opinion, the best player in this draft.
2) Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB Brigham Young. Raw but athletic, has the tools to dominate from either edge position.
3) Dee Milliner, CB Alabama. Has the size and speed to be a true shut-down Corner.
If any one of those three's name gets called, I'll be very pleased with the selection.
However...Ideally, I would try and trade down to 11 or 12 and see if I could acquire a 2nd Round pick to replace the pick forfeited to the Supplemental Draft selection of Josh Gordon. I would then use my First Round pick on Chance Warmack. We currently have a decent to good Offensive Line, not a great one. I think Warmack would make it great. This would in turn speed the development of Trent Richardson and hopefully, Brandon Weeden. Warmack is a masher, a road grader who would open holes for Richardson to run through. Trent would look like a different player from his rookie season. The line could be: future HoF Joe Thomas at LT, future Pro-Bowler Chance Warmack at LG, Alex Mack at C, Jason Pinkston or Shaun Lavauo at RG, and talented youngster Mitchell Schwarz at RT. I know RG is a little weak, and Mack isn't as good as most Browns fans think he is, but that would make for an elite Offensive Line.
The obvious monkey wrench in the works is if you trade down to 11 or 12 and Warmack goes off the board somewhere between 6 and 10. So there is risk in this approach, and if it happens, it's very likely that neither Milliner or Ansah will be there when the Browns would pick at 11 or 12. My fallback option would probably be Jarvis Jones, OLB Georgia, but there is some risk involved with that pick, as well as regret, because I'd rather have Ansah or Milliner than Jones and the 2nd Round pick.
Ezekiel Ansah is a newcomer, relatively speaking, to the game of Football. A big, fast guy with long arms and tons of athletic ability. He seems to be a "natural" at the sport. I think he'll be able to play either Outside Linebacker or Defensive End, and dominate at either position. His long arms will serve him well when dropping back into underneath coverage or swimming past an OT. I think he's going to be a beast, and he'd look great in Orange and Brown.
Milliner is big, fast, and possesses great instincts. He plays the ball as well as he plays the man, and has the leaping ability to go up and defend against the "jump ball" type of pass. The latter will come in handy when defending A.J.Green. Has been a little banged up, but has the tools to be an elite Defensive Back. Hard not to like this pick, and most Mocks have Milliner to the Browns at 6.
So, projecting the Browns Draft as I hope it will fall, rounds 1-4:
Round 1 - Warmack/Ansah/Milliner depending on trades and how the board plays out.
Round 2 (if a trade is made) - The best available Cornerback on the Browns board, assuming we don't take Milliner in Round 1.
Round 3 - Travis Kelce, TE Cincinnatti
Round 4 - Bacarri Rambo, FS Georgia
Hopefully these players will still be on the board when the Browns select in the respective rounds.
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