Mock Draft

Everybody does a mock draft nowadays, and since I'm sitting at home with my kids I figured I'd throw one out there.  There are no trades projected, this is just based on where teams are now.

Round 1

1. Indianapolis - Andrew Luck - QB - Stanford

The Colts sure know when to suck.  They get the best QB prospect since Peyton Manning, and although there's not too much for him to work with right now in Indy, he should be a very very good QB in a couple of years.  There's very little not to like about him.





2. Washington - Robert Griffin III - QB - Baylor

The Redskins paid a big price to move up and get him, but if RG3 comes anywhere close to his ceiling he'll be worth the price.  He's an unbelievable athlete playing QB, and shows the deep and intermediate accuracy needed to be a top tier QB in the NFL.  He should be great in Shanahan's system.






3. Minnesota - Matt Kalil - OT - USC

This pick seems like it has been set for a while.  There are rumors about Minnesota wanting to move down, but if they stay here this is the logical move.  They drafted Ponder in the 1st last year and they better protect him if they don't want him to get Tim Couch/David Carr syndrome.  They gave up 49 sacks last year.





4. Cleveland - Trent Richardson - RB - Alabama

I really really think that Claiborne is a possibility.  I also think that Tom Heckert can't pass up a deal, and if a team wants this pick bad enough he'll move it, although I think that will be a mistake.  Richardson is a beast.  He bench presses 485 lbs.  He's built low so he won't be subject to the punishment an Adrian Peterson may take.  I understand the argument against taking a RB so high, but this guy is a different animal.  The only success Colt McCoy has had has been when the Browns were pounding the rock with Hillis.  Richardson should be able to take some pressure off Colt, and has the big play ability to take one to the house from 70 yards.  A no brainer, to me.





5. Tampa Bay - Morris Claiborne - CB - LSU

Tampa would love to get Richardson but settle for Claiborne in this scenario.  Aqib Talib is a criminal and Ronde Barber is about 57 years old.  They play in a division with Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, and Cam Newton.  They better get some help in the secondary and Claiborne is the top ranked CB in the draft.





6. St Louis - Justin Blackmon - WR - Oklahoma State

The Rams reaped the rewards of being awful enough last year to get the #2 pick, making the huge trade with Washington.  Jeff Fisher should be able to turn this franchise around.  They have their QB in Sam Bradford, but he has very little to work with.  Blackmon gives them a #1 receiver and should open up the field a little bit for Steven Jackson.  They have been throwing around the possibility of moving off this pick but if they stay Blackmon should be their guy.



7. Jacksonville - Quinton Coples - DE - North Carolina

The Jags re-signed Jeremy Mincey, their best pass rusher, but need to get someone else who can get to the QB.  Enter Quinton Coples who has as much talent as anyone in this draft not named Luck or Griffin but doesn't always play to his ability.  He's big and quick and smooth and would give the Jags one heck of a defensive line with Alualu, Knighton and Mincey.  There is potential for a move back if another team feels like they have to jump Miami for Tannehill.


8. Miami - Ryan Tannehill - QB - Texas A&M




Miami finally gets their QB after some awkward dancing this off-season with Manning, Alex Smith, and Matt Flynn.  Tannehill has athleticism and would be re-united with his college coach in Mike Sherman.  He's a converted WR and may need a year on the bench to develop.  Miami may have to move up to get him if you believe the rumors that have been circling.




9. Carolina - Michael Floyd - WR - Notre Dame

They don't have a ton of holes, and while everyone wants to give them a DT but they drafted Sione Fua and Terrell McClain in the second and third round last year.  Floyd would pair with Steve Smith and give Cam Newton another weapon.  That offense would start to look ridiculous.






10. Buffalo - Fletcher Cox - DT - Mississippi State

This is a bit against the grain but Cox is regarded as the best DT in the draft and he should be higher on most boards than Riley Reiff.  How's this for a D-Line - Mario Williams, Marcel Dareus, Fletcher Cox, and Chris Kelsay with Shawne Merriman and Mark Anderson as backup d-ends/situational pass rushers?  If the Giants have proven one thing it's that to beat the Patriots you need to get to Tom Brady.  They're transitioning to a 4-3 under Dave Wannstadt.  Floyd is a possibility if he gets here.




11. Kansas City - Dontari Poe - NT - Memphis




Poe put on a show at the combine and is regarded as the best NT in the draft.  Crennel has worked with the likes of Ted Washington and Shaun Rodgers so he knows the value of a huge 3-4 plugger.  Kansas City doesn't have a player like this on their team, so they take one here.







12. Seattle - Melvin Ingram - DE - South Carolina

Ingram is a bit of tweener and may be best as an OLB in a 3-4, but if anyone knows what to do with a player this versatile it should be Pete Carroll.  Ingram's production is impossible to ignore, he should provide Seattle with a true pass rush threat.






13. Arizona - Riley Reiff - OT - Iowa

Arizona needs a RT and they get one in Riley Reiff.  Reiff should be able to come in and start from day 1, and may finally give the Cardinals some consistency at the position.  A WR opposite of Fitzgerald is a possibility but the option of shoring up their O-Line is too tempting.







14. Dallas - Michael Brockers - DT - LSU

Dallas needs to get younger on the defensive line and they get a player with a ton of potential in Brockers.  He has tremendous size and may need a year of seasoning before moving into the starting lineup but Dallas is in a situation where they can provide that.






15. Philadelphia - Mark Barron - S - Alabama

Barron is the best safety prospect in the draft and Philadelphia is looking to improve up the middle, so it seems logical.  The acquisition of Ryans was a start, but Barron should be able to walk in and start from Day 1.  Certainly fills a need for the Eagles.






16. New York Jets - Luke Kuechly - LB - Boston College

A tackling machine from BC, Kuechly should be an instant favorite of Rex Ryan.  Bart Scott is long in the tooth and should be released.  Kuechly and David Harris could make life very difficult for the AFC East for a long time.







17. Cincinnati - David DeCastro - OG - Stanford

The best guard in the draft falls into the Bengals lap.  The NFL should fine the Raiders for giving this pick to the Bengals.  Cincy gets an instant starter and a guy who should play in a few Pro-Bowls in his career.  Safe, solid pick.








18. San Diego - Courtney Upshaw - OLB - Alabama

San Diego doesn't have a ton of holes and they signed Jarrett Johnson from Baltimore, but Shaun Phillips had a very sub-par season and you can never have too many pass-rushers.  Upshaw could be a big-time player for the Chargers, and would work in as a situational pass-rusher immediately.  I ultimately believe that this would be the spot the Browns would need to move into if they wanted Kendall Wright.



19. Chicago - Kendall Wright - WR - Baylor

They traded for Brandon Marshall, but Johnny Knox broke his back last season and may be gone for the year or possibly forever.  Hester is what he is, a great returner, not a great receiver.  Wright gives Cutler another weapon and should make an instant impact in the passing game, playing either inside or out.



20. Tennessee - Dre Kirkpatrick - CB - Alabama

Finnegan is gone to St Louis, and they can use an upgrade to the cornerback position.  They go with Kirkpatrick, who is big and physical.  He comes with a certain degree of risk but at 20 he could be a great value if he reaches his potential.




21. Cincinnati - Stephon Gilmore - CB - South Carolina

Another great pick for the Bengals, Gilmore would pair with Leon Hall and give them a really solid cornerback duo.  He could be better than Jonathan Joseph, who left for Houston before last season.







22. Cleveland - Cordy Glenn - OT - Georgia

Ultimately I think the Browns will move off of this pick, either up or down depending on what they want to do.  They could move up for Kendall Wright or a corner or down for another receiver or lineman.  Here they take Cordy Glenn, the big, versatile lineman from Georgia.  Glenn should be able to step in from day 1 at right tackle.  He also has the ability to play guard if needed.  He'll open up holes for Richardson and should keep McCoy upright.





23. Detroit - Whitney Mercilus - DE - Illinois

Detroit could use a tackle but Kyle Vanden Bosch is 33 years old and Cliff Avril is playing on a franchise tag.  The Lions have used picks on interior d-linemen the past 2 drafts so they may look to upgrade elsewhere but here they take an edge rusher who can take over for Vanden Bosch or Avril.





24. Pittsburgh - Donta Hightower - ILB - Alabama

Pittsburgh reloads at MLB after releasing Farrior.  Hightower is big and instinctive, he can blitz, and he seems like a Steelers pick to me.  They may look at offensive line, but Hightower is too good to pass on here.





25. Denver - Devon Still - DT - Penn State

Denver lost Broderick Bunkley in the off-season and will look to replace him with Still.  The All-American DT has size and quickness but will need to play with more consistency.  WR could be an option here but DT is Denver's biggest need.



26. Houston - Rueben Randle - WR - LSU

Randle is big and fast, and could finally give the Texans a player to take some of the attention off Andre Johnson.  He's a great athlete and willing blocker and would seem like a perfect player for the Texans, who loaded up on defense last year.







27. New England - Nick Perry - DE - USC

New England will probably move one of their first rounders, that's just what they do.  But they also need to upgrade their pass rush and will be lucky if Perry lasts this long.  Perry could possibly learn to play OLB and would provide versatility, something Belichick absolutely craves.







28. Green Bay - Mike Adams - OT - Ohio State

The Packers need to upgrade at the tackle spot, and getting Adams at 28 would be a good start.  He has excellent size but will need to get stronger, however if the light stays on he has Pro-Bowl potential.








29. Baltimore - Amini Silatolu - OG - Midwestern State

Ben Grubbs left for New Orleans and Baltimore drafts his replacement in Silatolu.  He's been rising and many have him as a late first/early second rounder right now.  Ozzie goes with the mauler here.





30. San Francisco - Kendall Reyes - DT - UConn

Reyes sneaks into the bottom of the first here and will provide a big body for San Fran's 3 man front.  He had an impressive combine and has experience playing both end and tackle.  Justin Smith isn't getting any younger.







31. New England - Janoris Jenkins - CB - North Alabama

Who better than the Patriots to take a chance on the talented Jenkins?  They've proven they'll take chances on character risks before, and Jenkins fits a big need.  They have to add some real talent to the secondary, and a first round of Perry and Jenkins would inject a ton of athleticism into their defense.





32. New York Giants - Coby Fleener - TE - Stanford

Fleener is the top TE in the draft, and Jake Ballard had microfracture surgery in the off-season.  The Giants generally draft BPA and Fleener fits that strategy as well as fills a need.









Round 2

33. St Louis - Jerel Worthy - DT - Michigan State

34. Indianapolis - Jonathan Martin - OT - Stanford

35. Minnesota - Alshon Jeffery - WR - South Carolina

36. Tampa Bay - Doug Martin - RB - Boise State

37. Cleveland - Stephen Hill - WR - Georgia Tech

38. Jacksonville - Lavonte David - LB - Nebraska

39. St Louis - Peter Konz - C - Wisconsin

40. Carolina - Vinny Curry - DE - Marshall

41. Buffalo - Mohammed Sanu - WR - Rutgers

42. Miami - Shea McClellion - OLB - Boise State

43. Seattle - Dwayne Allen - TE - Clemson

44. Kansas City - Jeff Allen - OT - Illinois

45. Dallas - Harrison Smith - S - Notre Dame

46. Philadelphia - Brandon Weeden - QB - Oklahoma State

47. New York Jets - Bobby Massie - RT - Mississippi

48. New England - Chandler Jones - DE - Syracuse

49. San Diego - Josh Robinson - CB - Central Florida

50. Chicago - Andre Branch - DE - Clemson

51. Philadelphia - Zach Brown - OLB - North Carolina

52. Tennessee - Brandon Brooks - OG - Miami OH

53. Cincinnati - Lamar Miller - RB - Miami

54. Detroit - Dwight Bentley - CB - ULL

55. Atlanta - George Iloka - S - Boise State

56. Pittsburgh - Kelechi Osemele - OT - Iowa State

57. Denver - Krik Cousins - QB - Michigan State

58. Houston - Alfonzo Dennard - CB - Nebraska

59. Green Bay - David Wilson - RB - Virginia Tech

60. Baltimore - Bobby Wagner - OLB - Utah State

61. San Francisco - Trumaine Johnson - CB - Montana

62. New England - Alameda Ta'amu - NT - Washington

63. New York Giants - Brandon Thompson - DT - Clemson

Browns Draft Scenarios

Let's take a look just for fun at some of the scenarios for the Browns with their first 4 picks.  I don't know enough to say that any of these three are possible, but just for fun let's go at it.

My ideal scenario

4 - Trent Richardson RB

22 or trade up - Kendall Wright WR

37 or trade up - Bobby Massie RT

67 - Bruce Irvin DE

This gives the Browns a gamebreaker at RB and WR, taking some pressure off of Colt McCoy.  With Massie the Browns get the best RT in the draft and an instant starter, although he'll have to live up to the expectations of the turnstyles thrown out there for the last few seasons.  Bruce Irvin is a one trick pony right now but his get off and ability to get to the quarterback are extremely impressive.  Even if he's only a 3rd down pass rusher he'd give the Browns a dynamic threat off the edge.  The Browns could load up on defense with their remaining picks, although they'd probably add another WR somewhere.

Alternate scenario 1 - Claiborne at 4

4 - Morris Claiborne CB
22 - Mike Adams or Jonathan Martin, T
37 - Reuban Randle or Stephen Hill, WR
67 - Isaiah Pead RB

I believe Claiborne at 4 is a very real possiblity.  He's got size, speed, and ball skills and would pair with Haden to give the Browns 2 solid cornerbacks.  They could shore up the offensive line with Adams or Martin, both of whom should start at RT from day 1.  Both have ability but may have rough rookie seasons until they get stronger.  Randle or Hill both fit the west coast offense and are big and fast, but again they may need more time to develop.  Pead is a very good running back, he's shifty and can catch the ball.  He's not going to be a 20-25 carry a game guy but could develop into a starter.  I wouldn't be surprised if the Steelers nabbed him in the 2nd.

Alternate scenario 2 - QB in the 2nd

4 or trade back to 6 - Justin Blackmon WR
22 - Stephon Gilmore CB
37 - Brandon Weeden or Kirk Cousins QB
67 - Mitchell Schwartz RT

In this scenario the Browns would likely trade back with the Rams, Rams taking Claiborne or Richardson and the Bucs taking whomever the Rams don't.  Blackmon would likely be left and would be a Brown, giving McCoy a legitimate weapon.  Gilmore is a great fit for the Browns D if he's there at 22, he has size and speed, and he can play the press man that the Browns like to play.  In the 2nd they take a QB, either Weeden or Cousins.  Either guy would give McCoy competition for the starting job.  Schwartz should be able to come in and start, and with the move back they'd likely pick up an additional 3rd that they can use on Pead or another RB.

Alternate scenario 3 - Defensive focused

4 - Morris Claiborne CB
22 - Nick Perry DE
37 - Lavonte David or Zach Brown OLB
67 - Juron Criner WR

In this look they load up on D, taking the top CB in Claiborne and a possible future stud at DE in Nick Perry, who would be brought along slowly behind Rucker but drips with upside.  In the 2nd they take their WLB for the future.  Both David and Brown are run and chase guys but have speed to burn and would bring some athleticism to the defense.  Criner could be a 3rd round guy who develops into a starter, he's got size and fits the offense.  Not a burner though and will need to learn the finer points of the position in order to create separation.

Alternative scenario 4 - the fallers

4 - Trent Richardson RB
22 - Courtney Upshaw DE
37 - Janoris Jenkins CB
67 - Schwartz or Criner

In this scenario the Browns take Richardson at 4.  They snag Upshaw at 22, he's supposedly been falling as teams aren't sure where he'll fit in the pros.  He'd be a good pick at 22 and he and Sheard could develop into a really good bookend tandem.  Janoris Jenkins comes with a lot of risk, he has 4 kids (he's only 23) and really likes smoking weed.  He recently changed agents which raised some red-flags.  Apparently he's been moving down draft boards, but his talent is undeniable.  Talent-wise he's the second best corner in the draft and worth the risk at 37.  They take either the best RT or WR in the 3rd and round and fill out the team with their remaining picks.

Alternative scenario 5 - end of the world

4 - Ryan Tannehill QB
22 - Adams or Martin T
37 - Doug Martin RB
67 - Chase Minnifield CB or Criner WR

This is the one.  The one (most) Browns fans are the most afraid of.  Ryan Tannehill, project QB, at 4.  Even if they moved back to 7 it would still be too high.  To pass on Claiborne, Blackmon and Richardson for Tannehill would be a mistake of epic proportions in my mind.  They take the tackle at 22.  They save some face if they take Martin in the 2nd, though they may have to move up.  He's the second best back in the draft.  Minnifield on name alone would be a great player to add to the Browns, and although he's not had a great pre-draft process he showed he could play in his junior year and could be a good pick in the 3rd.  A lot of people say he's only a cover 2 corner though and doesn't have the speed or strength to play press man, so this may be a pipe dream.


What's it all mean?  Nothing at all, it's purely speculation.  The Browns are going to draft whomever they think will be the best players.  The obvious need for playmakers is really obvious though, and hopefully they'll come out of this draft with a few.  They also must find a right tackle.  So there's work to do and we'll have 13 more days to speculate until it all goes down. But prepare for the worst and hope for the best Browns fans, and maybe, just maybe, we'll finally get what we've been waiting for.

Heckert's Draft History

In looking at the Browns draft scenarios, it's important to understand the history of the man doing the drafting.  I wanted to look and see if there are patterns in Tom Heckert's drafts that can give an idea about what we can expect in this draft.  Heckert was named GM of the Eagles in 2006, so that's where we'll start.

2006 -

1.14	DL	Brodrick Bunkley	Florida State
2.07	OL	Winston Justice	Southern California	from TEN; trade 2006 2.13, 4.19
3.07	LB	Chris Gocong	Cal Poly	from NYJ; trade 2006 3.12, 7.12
4.02	OL	Max Jean-Gilles	Georgia	from NO; trade 2006 4.11 and DT Hollis Thomas
4.12	WR	Jason Avant	Michigan	from GB; trade 2006 4.18, 6.16 (through STL; trade 2006 3.29, also received 6.14)
5.14	WR	Jeremy Bloom	Colorado
5.35	LB	Omar Gaither	Tennessee	compensatory pick
6.35	DL	LaJuan Ramsey	Southern California	compensatory pick

Bunkley was a starter for Phily and was shipped briefly to the Browns, failed a physical, was traded to Denver, and played in every game for the Broncos last season, starting 13.  Justice never developed into a reliable starter, but started 31 games in 6 seasons.  Gocong is now starting for the Browns at LB.  Jean-Gilles started 26 games in 5 seasons with Phily.  Avant is Phily's #3 receiver, and Gaither started 40 games at LB in 5 years in Phily and a year in Carolina.  Bloom never played in the NFL and Ramsey made the team and played in the league for 4 seasons.

This was a pretty solid draft by all accounts.  The important thing to note in this draft is the trades.  The Eagles traded a 4th rounder and their 13th pick in the second round to move up to the 7th pick in the second for Justice.  In the third round they traded a 7th rounder to move up 5 spots to get Gocong.  They traded Hollis Thomas and their 4th rounder to move up to get Jean-Gilles.  They traded up again in the fourth to get Avant.


2007 -

2.04	QB	Kevin Kolb	Houston	from CLE through DAL
2.25	DL	Victor Abiamiri	Notre Dame
3.23	LB	Stewart Bradley	Nebraska	from DAL
3.26	RB	Tony Hunt	Penn State
5.22	DB	C.J. Gaddis	Clemson	from DAL
5.25	TE	Brent Celek	Cincinnati
6.27	DB	Rashad Barksdale	Albany, N.Y.
7.26	RB	Nate Ilaoa	Hawaii

In the first round, the Eagles traded down from pick 26 with Dallas (who selected Anthony Spencer), acquiring the 4th pick in the second round (originally Cleveland's pick shipped to Dallas in the Quinn trade). They also picked up an extra 3rd and 5th in the trade.  They took Kevin Kolb with their first pick.  He was their backup for his first 3 seasons, started a few games in 2010, and was shipped to Arizona in 2011 for a second rounder and Dominique Rogers-Cromartie.  He was on track to be their starter but got hurt and opened the door for Mike Vick and the rest is history.  Abiamiri never turned into a starter in Phily.  Bradley started at LB for the Eagles in his second and third seasons, before heading to Arizona in free agency. Tony Hunt washed out after 2 unremarkable seasons.  Gaddis, Barksdale and Ilaoa failed to make the final roster, but Celek is one of the better TEs in the league and was a great value pick in the late 5th round.

2008 -

2.16	DL	Trevor Laws	Notre Dame	from MIN
2.18	WR	DeSean Jackson	California
3.17	LB	Bryan Smith	McNeese State
4.10	OL	Mike McGlynn	Pittsburgh	from CAR
4.18	DB	Quintin Demps	Texas-El Paso	from MIN
4.32	DB	Jack Ikegwuonu	Wisconsin	compensatory pick
6.18	OL	Mike Gibson	California
6.34	LB	Joe Mays	North Dakota State	compensatory pick
6.37	LB	Andy Studebaker	Wheaton	compensatory pick
7.23	OL	King Dunlap	Auburn	from SEA

The Eagles traded out of the first round again in this draft, trading the 19th pick to Carolina for a second, fourth, and a first in 2009.  They also moved down again in the second, trading down 4 picks and sending a 5th rounder to Minnesota, picking up a fourth.  They took Trevor Laws with their first #2, and he has been a rotational defensive lineman.  They took DeSean Jackson with their other second rounder, and he has been an electric playmaker and difference maker in their offense.  Bryan Smith was out of the league in 2 years.  McGlynn has been a backup linemen/spot starter in the NFL.  Quintin Demps is a backup safety.  Joe Mays has developed into a starter, in Denver now.  Studebaker never made the Eagles but has been on the Chiefs for 4 seasons, starting a few games.  Ikegwuonu and Gibson had no impact.  King Dunlap has developed into a spot starter.

2009 -

1.19	WR	Jeremy Maclin	Missouri	from TB through CLE
2.21	RB	LeSean McCoy	Pittsburgh
5.17	TE	Cornelius Ingram	Florida	from NYJ
5.21	DB	Victor Harris	Virginia Tech
5.23	OL	Fenuki Tupou	Oregon	from NE
6.21	WR	Brandon Gibson	Washington State
7.04	OL	Paul Fanaika	Arizona State	from SEA
7.21	LB	Moise Fokou	Maryland

Struck gold in the first two rounds with Maclin and McCoy.  They gave up a 6th rounder to move up 2 spots and take Maclin.  They also traded the extra first they acquired from Carolina, along with a 4th and a 6th to Buffalo for Pro-Bowl tackle Jason Peters.  They traded down twice in the third round, picking up a 5th from the Giants and then a 2010 3rd rounder, a 5th and a 7th with Seattle.  Ingram failed to make the team. Macho Harris started a few games his rookie year but was cut the following season.  Tupou is currently on the Saints.  Brandon Gibson has developed into a starting WR for the Rams.  Fanaika is with the Seahawks after not making the Eagles.  Fokou has started 22 games in 3 seasons.

Maclin and McCoy, along with the acquisition of Peters, make this a great great draft.

2010 - With the Browns -

1.07	DB	Joe Haden	Florida
2.06	DB	T.J. Ward	Oregon
2.27	RB	Montario Hardesty	Tennessee	from DAL through PHI
3.21	QB	Colt McCoy	Texas	from NE through OAK
3.28	OG	Shawn Lauvao	Arizona State	from NYJ
5.29	DB	Larry Asante	Nebraska	from NYJ
6.08	WR	Carlton Mitchell	South Florida
6.17	DL	Clifton Geathers	South Carolina	from CAR

Heckerts first draft with the Browns.  Traded Kam Wimbley to the Raiders for a 3rd, and got a 3rd and 5th from the Jets for Braylon Edwards.  They also traded a 4th and a 5th to the Eagles along with Alex Hall for Chris Gocong and Sheldon Brown.  The 6th from Carolina was acquired for Louis Leonard.  Haden looks like a star.  Ward has been solid.  They traded their 3rd rounder along with two 5th rounders to move up to take Montario Hardesty.  McCoy is the starting QB for now.  Lauvao has made progress and is a starting guard.  Mitchell may be gone, and Asante and Geathers were on other rosters in 2010.  Solid draft, big whiff on Hardesty.


2011 -

1.21	DL	Phil Taylor	Baylor	from KC
2.05	DL	Jabaal Sheard	Pittsburgh
2.27	WR	Greg Little	North Carolina	from ATL
4.05	TE	Jordan Cameron	Southern California
4.27	RB	Owen Marecic	Stanford	from ATL
5.06	DB	Buster Skrine	Tenn.-Chattanooga
5.19	OL	Jason Pinkston	Pittsburgh	from NYG through Vikings
7.45	DB	Eric Hagg	Nebraska	compensatory pick

They made the big trade with Atlanta, trading out of 6 and moving back to 27 in exchange for a 2nd and 4th in this draft and a 1st and 4th in 2012.  Moved back up to 21, giving up a 3rd rounder to take Taylor, who showed flashes as a rookie.  Sheard looks to be a great pick in the 2nd, and Little led the team in catches and yards.  Jury's still out on Cameron, Skrine, and Hagg.  Marecic was the starting FB before ending the year on IR and should improve in year 2.  Pinkston proved to be a great value pick in the 5th, starting all 16 games at guard and improving as the year went on.  Along with the additional picks this looks early on like a very very good draft.


So what does this tell us for this upcoming draft?  For one thing, it shows that more than likely the Browns will be moving around.  He's shown that if he likes a guy he'll go get him and he's also willing to move down and acquire picks.  From the moves he made in Phily it seems he's more comfortable picking late in the first and early second, although with the new CBA things may have changed.  He's only taken 2 quarterbacks (Kolb and McCoy) and none in the first round.  He's not afraid to double up on positions in the same draft, so it won't be surprising if they come out with a couple of WRs.  Most Browns fans are hoping that he'll take offense with his first 3 picks and I wasn't sure if it was in his nature, but he did in 2009.  I'd expect him to take an offensive linemen in the mid-rounds regardless of whether they grab a RT in the 1st or 2nd.  You can also expect him to take at least a defensive lineman or 2, he's done that in every draft except 2009.

Heckert's eye for talent is apparent in his drafting.  With 13 picks this year he has the ammunition he needs to secure some top-level talent in the first few rounds and history says he will be able to find a starter or two late.  The big question heading into this years draft is whether or not this is the year we take the elite level talent or trade down again and acquire more picks, in this draft or next.  I've stated what I hope they do, but my job isn't riding on it.  And with the importance of this draft for the future of the Browns, rest assured Heckert's is.