Top 10 Draft Prospects for the Cleveland Browns

After watching the Browns throughout this season, they have several areas to address through the draft in order to see success in the future. The following prospects are the best fits where the Browns will be drafting, assuming that will be top 10 and then somewhere in the early to mid 20s.


1. Robert Griffin III/QB/Baylor


This could be the most interesting choice. If Holmgren and the front office decide Colt McCoy isn't the future, Griffin would be a perfect fit in a West Coast Offense and the spark this franchise needs. At 6'2" with sub 4.6 speed, RG3 is a dream quarterback.


2. Trent Richardson/RB/Alabama

Assuming Peyton Hillis won't return next season, the Browns will need to
add a legitimate threat in the backfield. Montario Hardesty has not shown he can stay healthy enough to be an every down back, although he has the tools to be one. Richardson is a better pro prospect than former Bama back Mark Ingram and has great vision, burst of speed, as well as lateral quickness.

3. Alshon Jeffery/WR/South Carolina

The Browns have had a shortage of playmaking WRs since coming back in the league, there's no denying that. Alshon Jeffery has size (6-4, 232), great ball skills, and the ability to stretch the field, something the Browns have been lacking. Greg Little and Alshon Jeffery would be a fantastic duo for years to come and could pose matchup problems with most secondaries.

4. Vontaze Burfict/LB/Arizona State

The Browns line backing core, for the exception of D'Qwell Jackson, is aging and lacking explosiveness. Burfict can be converted to OLB in the 4-3 Browns defense and can absolutely obliterate opposing players. The only concern teams may have is character concerns, but something that is coachable and able to work through.

5. Kendall Wright/WR/Baylor

Wright would be a good pick with the pick acquired from the Falcons. Although Wright is only 5'10", he has blinding speed and can really open up the whole field. Wright plays bigger than he is with great leaping ability and good hands. Wright is a threat to score any time he touches the ball.

6. Morris Claiborne/CB/LSU

No surprise here, Claiborne reminds me of former LSU corner Patrick Peterson. Claiborne is a better coverage corner than Peterson and has explosive kick return skills as well. Sheldon Brown is aging and Joe Haden needs a partner in crime to shut down opposing QBs. Claiborne could also take some pressure off Cribbs in the return game.

7. Quentin Coples/DE/North Carolina

The Browns addressed their weak defensive front last year with their first two picks in DT Phil Taylor and DE Jabaal Sheard, both of which look very promising. Coples is an animal at 6'6" and resembles a former UNC DE in Julius Peppers with his agility and pass rushing capabilities.

8. Zach Brown/LB/North Carolina

Another good fit at LB for the Browns here. Brown has great speed and coverage skills, something the Browns need help with. Brown is widely considered one of the most athletic players in the draft and can be a very smart pick at #22.
9. Isaiah Pead/RB/Cincinnati

I would love to see this pick happen early second round. I see Pead slipping under the radar and frankly in the second round he would be a steal. Pead has great pad level control, great agility, as well as the size a strength to be an every down back.

10. Stephon Gilmore/CB/South Carolina

Gilmore is also a very underrated player in the draft. Gilmore may be the best cover corner in the draft, and only a slim second to Claiborne. The Browns need someone to couple with Joe Haden and Gilmore is a solid DB.

Here's a couple scenarios I think are best for the Browns, based on their needs and where they are picking. The Browns finished with a record of 4-12 and will pick 4th and 22nd with the pick acquired from Atlanta.

Scenario 1:
Round 1a- Robert Griffin III
Round 1b- Zach Brown
Round 2- Isaiah Pead

Scenario 2:
Round 1a- Trent Richardson
Round 1b-Kendall Wright
Round 2- Chase Minnifield*

Scenario 3:
Round 1a- Justin Blackmon/Alshon Jeffery
Round 1b- Jamar Fleming*
Round 2- Brandon Washington*
*Not listed in top 10 for various reasons; Blackmon will most likely be gone, Minnifield is a second rounder, along with Fleming and Washington.

I think the best scenario for the Browns right now is scenario number one. Colt McCoy doesn't have the tools a quarterback should have to make plays in the NFL. RG3 is more than NFL ready and posses' the tools and IQ to become a star. Zach Brown is one of the more athletic players in the draft and would solidify a good Browns linebacker core. Finally, Isaiah Pead would be a great addition to a backfield that has decent pieces, assuming Hillis departs in free agency.

Mock Draft 1.0

Updated October 25, 2011

At last, here is the first installment of our 2012 NFL Mock Draft. For the 1.0 edition, we did not give our reasons as to why each player would be picked there, because we will be doing editing throughout the next few months until our final mock draft. Our rankings on where each team will draft are based on where we project the team to finish based on record.

                                                       Blaise                                                  Brendan                                           

1.  Indianapolis Colts           Andrew Luck QB/Stanford            Andrew Luck QB/Stanford                                     

2.  Miami Dolphins                 Landry Jones QB/Oklahoma              Landry Jones QB/Oklahoma

3.  Seattle Seahawks           Trent Richardson RB/Alabama      Matt Kalil OT/USC

4.  St. Louis Rams                  Justin Blackmon WR/Oklahoma St.   Justin Blackmon WR/ Oklahoma St.

5.  Jacksonville Jaguars      Matt Kalil OT/USC                        Jonathan Martin OT/Stanford

6.  Minnesota Vikings             Quinton Coples RB/North Carolina   Morris Claiborne CB/LSU

7.  Denver Broncos           Dre Kirkpatrick CB/Alabama        Alshon Jeffery WR/South Carolina

8.  Carolina Panthers              Alshon Jeffrey WR/South Carolina     Riley Reiff OT/Iowa

9.  Cleveland Browns          Michael Floyd WR/Notre Dame    Michael Floyd WR/Notre Dame

10. Arizona Cardinals             Jon Martin OT/Stanford                    Quinton Coples DE/North Carolina                   

11. Kansas City Chiefs       Matt Barkley QB/USC                   Brandon Thompson DT/Clemson

12. Tennessee Titans              Devin Taylor DE/South Carolina       Luke Kuechly ILB/Boston College

13. Washington Redskins   Jerel Worthy DT/Michigan State   Matt Barkley QB/USC

14. Cincinnati Bengals            Janoris Jenkins CB/Northern Alabama      Trent Richardson RB/Alabama

15. Dallas Cowboys             Alfonzo Dennard CB/Nebraska     Dre Kirkpatrick CB/Alabama

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers   Vontaze Burfict LB/Arizona State      Vontaze Burfict/ILB/ Arizona State

17. Buffalo Bills                   Cordy Glenn OG/Georgia             Alfonzo Dennard CB/Nebraska

18. Cincinnati Bengals(from OAK)  Jared Crick DT/Nebraska         Janoris Jenkins CB/North Alabama

19. San Francisco 49ers      Morris Claiborne CB/LSU            Jared Crick DE/Nebraska

20. New York Giants             Bradon Thompson DT/Clemson        Courtney Upshaw OLB/Alabama

21. Philadelphia Eagles       Luke Kuechly ILB/Boston College   Manti Te'o ILB/Notre Dame

22. Chicago Bears                 Andrew Datko OT/Florida State       Melvin Ingram DE/South Carolina

23. Cleveland Browns (from ATL) Chase Minnifield CB/Virginia  Cliff Harris CB/Oregon

24. San Diego Chargers         Michael Brewster C/Ohio State         Cordy Glenn OG/Georgia

25. Houston Texans            Donte Paige-Moss OLB/UNC       Mark Barron S/Alabama

26. New York Jets                 Riley Reiff OT/Iowa                          Kendall Reyes DT/Connecticut                        

27. Pittsburgh Steelers        Nate Potter OT/Boise State           Alameda Ta'amu DT/Washington

28. Detroit Lions                     T.J. McDonald S/USC                      Ronnell Lewis OLB/Oklahoma

29. New England Patriots (from NO) Courtney Upshaw OLB/Alabama  Michael Brewster C/Ohio St.

30. Baltimore Ravens              Jeff Fuller WR/Texas A&M              Bruce Irvin DE/West Virginia    

31. New England Patriots    David DeCastro OG/Stanford       Jerel Worthy DT/Michigan State

32. Green Bay Packers          Dont’a Hightower LB/Alabama          David DeCastro G/Stanford

Brendan Phillips' Early 2012 NFL Draft QB/RB/WR Rankings

Updated October 31, 2011

Top QB

1.       Andrew Luck, Stanford

                  2.       Landry Jones, Oklahoma University
3.              Matt Barkley, USC

    4.          Robert Griffin III, Baylor

    5.     Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

      6.    Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

     7.    Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma Stat
8.            Nick Foles, Arizona

           9.       Ryan Lindley, San Diego State

10.      Kellen Moore, Boise St.

Top RB

1.       Trent Richardson, Alabama

2.      Lamar Miller, University of Miami
3. Ray Graham, Pitt
4.       Lamichael James, Oregon

5.       Isiah Pead, Cincinnati

6.   Chris Polk, Washington   
7.       Andre Ellington, Clemson

8.       Chris Rainey, Florida

9.      Knile Davis, Arkansas
10.   Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M

Top WR

1.       Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma St.

2.       Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

3.       Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

4.       Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M

5.       Juron Criner, Arizona

6.       Brian Quick, Appalachian St.

7.       Mohammad Sanu, Rutgers

8.       Dwight Jones, North Carolina

9.       Nick Toon, Wisconsin

10.   Greg Childs, Arkansas 

2011 MLB First Year Player Mock Draft

Here is how this mock draft went down. Since Blaise is a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, he acted as the GM for all teams drafting in the odd number slots including his Pirates at 1, and Brendan acted as the GM for all teams drafting in the even number slots including his Cleveland Indians at 8. An MLB First Year Player Mock Draft is very difficult to get correct due to all the options a Major League club has between high-school players and college players. So check out who we have your team taking, and enjoy the 2011 MLB First Year Player Draft on Monday, June 6.

1. Pittsburgh Pirates- Gerrit Cole RHP/UCLA

-Reports leaking out of Pirates camp is that they will take Cole with the first pick on Monday. The 6’4 right-hander has an upper 90’s fastball with a nice change-up and slider. Cole just adds another young, strong arm in the Pirates farm system.-BT

2. Seattle Mariners-Anthony Rendon 3B/Rice

- Highly overpaid Figgins makes this an easy choice; combine with Ackley and there’s a solid infield for years to come.-BP

3. Arizona Diamondbacks- Danny Hultzen LHP/Virginia

-Hultzen is arguably the best pitcher in college baseball this year. He is this draft’s best left-handed pitcher and he gives the Diamondbacks a young arm that they are looking for.-BT

4. Baltimore Orioles-Trevor Bauer RHP/UCLA

- Overshadowed by the # 1 starter, Bauer leads the NCAA in K’s; O’s need some depth with an up and coming staff.-BP

5. Kansas City Royals- Taylor Jungmann RHP/Texas

-The Royals have said to be looking for a college pitcher that will be ready for the bigs soon. Jungmann fits that description, and 6’6 frame just adds another great pitching prospect in the Royals farm system.-BT

6. Washington Nationals-Dylan Bundy RHP/Owassa HS

- Bundy has one of the best arms in the draft, and will have time to develop coming out of high school.-BP

7. Arizona Diamondbacks- Bubba Starling OF/Gardner Edgerton HS

-Starling is the best high school player in the draft, but his commitment to play quarterback at the University of Nebraska might scare some teams. But with a solid pick already in Hultzen with the third pick, the D-Backs can afford to be risky by taking Starling.-BT

8. Cleveland Indians-Jed Bradley LHP/Georgia Tech

- The Tribe hasn’t had the best luck with left-handed college arms, but with Pomeranz last year and potentially Bradley, their staff looks very promising.-BP

9. Chicago Cubs- Sonny Gray RHP/Vanderbilt

-The Cubs need help and a college pitcher like Gray will add depth. The 5’11 junior is a little undersized but a mid 90’s fastball and a great curveball makes him suitable for the next level.-BT

10. San Diego Padres-Francisco Lindor SS/Montverde Academy

- The Padres haven’t had a solid SS since the great Khalil Geene, and Lindor has plus defense and can be a huge asset as a switch hitter.-BP

11. Houston Astros- Blake Swihart C/Cleveland HS

-The Astros might end 2011 with the worst record in the MLB. With a long way to go, the Astros could Swihart who is an exceptionally talented high school catcher that could develop into a great player.-BT

12. Milwaukee Brewers-Archie Bradley RHP/Broken Arrow HS

- Being out of high school, the brew crew can let Bradley develop with guys like Greinke, Marcum, and Gallardo.-BP

13. New York Mets- George Springer OF/Connecticut

-Springer is a gifted outfielder that could find himself to the big league quick. With uncertainty surrounding the Mets and some of their veteran players, the selection of Springer would give the Mets faithful reason to celebrate.-BT

14. Florida Marlins-Matt Barnes RHP/Connecticut

- Barnes has 3 very solid pitches that will only develop and with a Marlins team that needs some support behind Johnson and Nolasco, Barnes could blow through the minors.-BP

15. Milwaukee Brewers- Daniel Norris LHP/Science Hill HS

-The high school lefty has committed to Clemson, but if signed, the Brewers would add a great young pitching talent into their system. With some minor league coaching, Norris could find himself in the Brew crew’s rotation in 4-5 years.-BT

16. Los Angeles Dodgers- Javier Baeys SS/Arlington County HS

- With Furcal constantly on the DL and not much depth in the minors, Baez should develop into a very solid SS down the road.-BP

17. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim- Matthew Purke LHP/TCU

-Purke is rated by some as a top 5 pitcher in this draft. In 7 years down the road, I believe he might be the best out of this class. Why do I have him a 17 then? Well he has slipped in the recent months, but he’s got nasty stuff that will make him a potential dominating pitcher in the MLB.-BT

18. Oakland Athletics-Mike Mahtook OF/LSU

- Mahtook has proven himself in college over the past couple years and the A’s are developing a very nice young outfield.-BP

19. Boston Red Sox- Austin Hedges C/Junipero Serra HS

-The UCLA commit has tremendous defensive skills at the catcher position. He might fall more due to his commitment to UCLA, but he is worth the risk for the Red Sox to try and sign.-BT

20. Colorado Rockies- Taylor Giuerri RHP/Spring Valley HS

- Guerrieri slips to the Rocks because of his commitment to South Carolina, but he’s got great stuff and has the potential to put it all together and be a good # 1 or # 2.-BP

21. Toronto Blue Jays- Levi Michael SS/UNC

-Michael is ranked as my best shortstop. The UNC standout is a pure shortstop with switch hitting capabilities. It would be a smart pick for the Blue Jays here at 21.-BT

22. St. Louis Cardinals-Jose Fernandez RHP/Braulio Alonso HS

- Conditioning is the only concern for Fernandez but he couples a strong fastball with a good slider.-BP

23. Washington Nationals- Joshua Bell OF/Jesuit College Prep

-With a plethora of athletically talented players in their farm system, the Nationals’ future is looking bright. Bell is another athletically gifted player that could find himself in the Nationals outfield in a couple of years.-BT

24. Tampa Bay Rays- Dillon Howard RHP/Searcy HS

- Howard has a unique plus fastball that never stays straight, but signability becomes a problem because of his agent Scott Boras.-BP

25. San Diego Padres- Alex Meyer RHP/Kentucky

-Meyer reminds me a lot of Padres former pitcher, Chris Young. Meyer’s 6’9 frame is something to waste a first round pick on alone. His upper 90’s fastball is capable of becoming a dominant pitch in the MLB.-BT

26. Boston Red Sox-Tyler Anderson LHP/Oregon

- The Nation has had an interesting mix of pitchers over the past couple years, some not panning out; Anderson has a Lester-type body and can move his stuff around effectively.-BP

27. Cincinnati Reds-C.J. Cron 1B/Utah

-Cron’s talent is worth this pick. Although the Reds system should be set at 1B for a couple years to come with Votto and Alonso, Cron has also played catcher. A switch to catcher should be inevitable. Cron hits for power as well as average. -BT

28. Atlanta Braves-Jackie Bradley OF/South Carolina

- Bradley was destined to be a for sure first rounder, but injury concerns and a lackluster year at the plate drops him to the late first round.-BP

29. San Francisco Giants- Henry Owens LHP/Edison HS

-Owens is a 6’6 right-hander and a Miami commit. The Giants organization has been known to develop young pitchers, and Owens has all of the tools.-BT

30. Minnesota Twins-Anthony Meo RHP/Coastal Carolina

- A starter right now, Meo is best suited as a setup man in the Bigs with a mid-90s fastball and a good slider to mix in.-BP

31. Tampa Bay Rays-Brian Goodwin OF/Miami Dade College

-The Rays always go for the best available athletes. Goodwin reminds me of a promising Delmon Young that the Rays took with the 1^st overall pick in 2003. Hopefully Goodwin turns out better than young did for Tampa Bay.-BT

32. Tampa Bay Rays-Colton Wong 2B/Hawaii

- The Rays have had lackluster production since Aki Iwamura from 2B, and Wong has a pure bat and won’t take much time to move through the minors.-BP

33. Texas Rangers- Joe Ross RHP/Bishop O’Dowd HS

-Ross is a raw talent that is definitely worth a first round pick. He just recently turned 18 and he has a 6’3 frame. Give him a couple years developing in a pro organization and he could be a potential top of the rotation starting pitcher.-BT