2011 NFL Mock Draft: Will The Browns Address The Defensive Line In The First Round

The Cleveland Browns have the sixth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and with it a good opportunity to add pieces to a team which appears to be on the rise. They need help at a few different positions, but where they will be picking, defensive line seems to be a great marriage of need and availability.

Last week, SB Nation had them taking Da-Quan Bowers, the defensive end from Clemson. Now, in their latest edition of the 2011 NFL Mock Draft, they have the Browns taking Alabama DT Marcell Dareus. Here is their rationale.

Moving back to the 4-3 under defensive coordinator Dick Jauron, the Browns need to re-tool their defensive front seven. They could certainly take a pass rusher to begin that process, but after a strong Combine showing, Dareus might be too good to pass up here.

Dareus is the kind of disruptive force that is perfect for a 4-3 DT. He is also versatile enough to play defensive end in some packages. The Browns certainly have a lot of need on the defensive line, and they could do a lot worse than taking Marcell Dareus in the first round.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Da'Quan Bowers To The Browns, Blaine Gabbert 1st Overall

If nothing else, Blaine Gabbert is conservative. While more flashy NFL quarterback prospects like Cam Newton decided to participate in all of the drills at the NFL combine, Gabbert took the road more traveled by elite QB prospects. Gabbert didn't take part in the throwing drills at the Combine, and therefore did not have the opportunity to fail. Sure, he didn't succeed either, but that's not really what it's about.

Newton looked shaky, while Gabbert didn't look anything much of all. But because he didn't have a chance to fail, Gabbert moves up to the first overall pick in the latest incarnation of the SB Nation 2011 NFL Mock Draft. Meanwhile Newton, who tried to show off his skills for scouts but kind of failed, sits all the way down at twelfth overall to the Vikings. So much for "A for effort."

As for the Browns, they have them taking Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers, who would represent excellent value with the sixth overall selection.

Even before the team hired Dick Jauron as defensive coordinator, the decision had been made to move back to the 4-3. Any defender that fits that front would be a good pick here, and Bowers might end up being a tremendous value at this point in the top ten.

Bowers is one of the elite prospects in the draft, and if he is still on the board at six, he might be a no-brainer for the Browns. He is a great fit for the 4-3, and could be the foundation of that new defensive system moving forward. They need help on offense as well, but Bowers would likely be too good to pass up.

NFL Mock Drafts: SBN Looking AT A.J. Green To Browns

I guess consistency isn't in the mock drafts futures. So in making the rounds of the NFL Mock Drafts again to start this week, it’s no surprise to see that Brian Galliford over at the SB Nation mothership is switching again with regards to the Cleveland Browns first round selection. At #6, he has A.J. Green heading to the Orange and Brown.

6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia. Moving to the 4-3 defense under Dick Jauron, it’d take a lot to keep Cleveland from beginning that transition with their first-round pick. “A lot” falls to the Browns in this scenario; he’d be the only right move for a team building around a young quarterback (Colt McCoy).

Da’Quan Bowers moved up on Galliford’s board, sitting at #4 for the Cincinnati Bengals, but if by some miracle he’s still there at 6, I maintain (as I have all along), he’s the guy. What is interesting to note is that Dareus is going a pick after Cleveland's selection, and as was seen previously, Todd McShay is sold on Marcell Dareus to the Browns.

So ultimately it comes down to reactions to the first five picks still. Green or d-line, as it has been all along. Unless the Browns brass decides to pull some kind of weird NY Jets pick, this is pretty cut-and-dry from where I’m sitting.

NFL Mock Drafts: SBN Goes Back To A.J. Green For Cleveland

With the NFL Combine set to take place next week, everyone’s draft boards are bound to change. Even the slightest fraction of a second in someone’s 40-time could create a lot of buzz. Therefore, it is important to distinguish the latest SB Nation Mock Draft as the “pre-Combine edition,” because it will probably look much different in the first “post-Combine edition.”

Right now, Brian Galliford is back to having the Browns take wide receiver A.J. Green. He formerly had the Browns taking Da’Quan Bowers, but he is now going No. 4 overall to the Bengals.

6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia. Moving to the 4-3 defense under Dick Jauron, it’d take a lot to keep Cleveland from beginning that transition with their first-round pick. “A lot” falls to the Browns in this scenario; he’d be the only right move for a team building around a young quarterback (Colt McCoy).

For more coverage on what the Browns will do in April, visit Dawgs By Nature, our Cleveland Browns affiliate.

NFL Mock Drafts: ESPN's McShay Has Browns Looking At Dareus

The merry-go-round continues for what the experts think the Cleveland Browns will do with the sixth pick in the NFL Draft. WR or DL, WR or DL, WR or DL? For ESPN's Todd McShay, the choice is simple: Alabama's Marcell Dareus.

In an article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer yesterday, Tony Grossi pointed to the hiring of Dick Jauron and the recent roster cuts as evidence that the Browns are looking squarely at the defensive line for their first round selection. And McShay agrees.

"[He] has a little durability concern, and he had the two-game suspension," McShay said on a conference call. "But when this guy's going and he's 100 percent, he's as disruptive as any player in this draft.

"He's strong, a lot stronger than people think ... has great awareness. He's not as big or athletic as Fairley, but he might be a more complete player when he's 100 percent. He can play the 3-4 or a 4-3 for teams going back and forth ... like Cleveland that want to do different things up front.

"He's a good fit. Bottom line is he can get after the quarterback, he can disrupt and is a lot stronger than people give him credit for."

Look, we've been through this. A.J. Green or any of the top three to four defensive linemen are fine with me. And McShay has a point that Dareus is a terrific player. He doesn't have that sheer "takeover" style that Nick Fairley has, but it's not like Dareus is a slouch as an athlete.

The Browns need a pass rusher. And chances are Fairley will be off the board anyway. Dareus fits that need, is versatile, and simply put, is about as good as the Browns are gong to get at this pick if they're looking for a defensive tackle or end.

At the same time, flashes of Gerard Warren and Courtney Browns flash through my head. Using a top ten pick on a defensive lineman that isn't the consensus No. 1 at his position can be a scary thought. It's taking the risk that this guy's game will translate easily to the NFL. And for every Ndamukong Suh, there is a Dewayne Robertson or a Steve Emtman. But that doesn't mean Cleveland should look to a skill position like CB or WR just because of the risk factor. Their biggest need, first and foremost, is pass rusher. So if A.J. Green is gone, Dareus makes sense. 

I just hope I can get the shudders of thinking about Big Money or Quiet Storm out of my brain now.

NFL Mock Drafts: SBN Dives Into The Second Round, Has Browns Going With WR

After weeks and weeks of looking into the first round and finding out that the same five to six players are involved in the top five picks, it's refreshing to see the second round show up in some mock drafts. And for the Browns in the latest SBN NFL Mock Draft, defense is still the first priority, but a playmaker is target No. 2.

Brian Galliford writes:

37. Cleveland Browns: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland. If the Browns are content to build around Colt McCoy, they need to get him better talent to work with.

Those unfamiliar with the ACC might be saying, "Torrey who?" And that's fine. It's understandable. It's not like Maryland was on anyone's radar this year during their understated 9-4 season. But Torrey Smith is a very good player. Simply put, he is not a possession receiver. And that's a good thing.

He had just 6 more catches than his sophomore season in his junior campaign (67 rec, 1055 yds, 12 TD), but over two hundred more yards, upping his YPC to 15.7. After a slow start in his first two games (4 catches, 47 yards), Smith exploded four games of over 140 yards, and a game against N.C. State that saw 14 catches for 224 yards and 4 TDs. Not making any assumptions, but I'd like to think that may have had something to do with him coming out after his junior year instead of staying for his senior season.

Smith is solidly built at 6-1, 200 lbs., and is a great return guy, which could presumably take pressure off Josh Cribbs as they could split punt and kick return duties. He is extremely fast, running anywhere between a 4.3 and 4.5 40-yard dash depending on the run. Mocking The Draft had this to say about Torrey:

Final word: Smith has been one of the top risers in 2010. Everyone has always known he's a great return man. But now he's developing into a good wide receiver. He'll finish his career as Maryland's career leader in all-purpose yards.

As much as Smith has developed, he has plenty of work to do to be more than the next Darrius Heyward-Bey. Namely, Smith will have to start catching the ball more away from his frame. It seems like Smith makes a lot of catches with his arms and not his fingertips. While he's done a better job on his routes in 2010, he doesn't run an especially complex route tree.

Smith may never be a true No. 1 receiver on an NFL team. What he will be is a good No. 2 and a standout special teams performer.

The bolded is something to keep an eye on. If the Browns do go with Smith, they're going to have to look for another WR, either by trading back into the first round, finding a steal in the later rounds, or signing a guy like Plaxico Burress. Regardless, it is obvious that defense and offensive playmakers will be the main focus of this draft, and the staff will have to decide during the evaluation process just what their strategy will be.

This draft is a bit strange in that there is no clear-cut No. 1 or top to bottom first 10 picks, but what this draft does have is depth. There are a lot of players in the first couple rounds that can immediately help a football team. The Browns need to make sure without a doubt that they get at least three, if not four starters out of their first five rounds.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Cleveland Browns Add Depth At DL And WR

SB Nation has been rolling out first round mock drafts for about a month now, but for the first time, they extend their expertise to the second round. Their latest mock has the first two round mock out, and they have the Browns addressing two of their biggest needs. In the first round, they have Da'Quan Bowers falling into their lap at 6th overall. Here is their rationale, although taking Bowers if he is still on the board there is somewhat of a no-brainer.

Dick Jauron has a job ahead of him moving the Browns back to the 4-3; Bowers would be a great way to start.

Bowers is one of the best prospects in the draft, first overall actually according to a number of sources. He would be a dream get for the Browns who need playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Bowers would be a good fit as a defensive end in their new 4-3 scheme. As for the second round, SB Nation has them adding talent at another one of the team's biggest needs - wide receiver - with Maryland's Torrey Smith.

If the Browns are content to build around Colt McCoy, they need to get him better talent to work with.

Smith is a converted quarterback with great size, excellent speed, and above average hands. We all know how that other converted quarterback has worked out so far in Cleveland. Smith is a guy who could put a big (small) 40 time at the combine and shoot up draft boards, so I'm not sure he will be available when the Browns pick in the second round.

National Football Post Has Browns Going With Green

The back and forth continues. While some analysts and draft experts have the Browns going defense, defense, defense with the #6 pick, still others are holding onto the idea that Cleveland will go with a WR in the first round.

I’ve seen Julio Jones up there, and still think that would be a stretch, especially with one (or more) of Quinn, Dareus, Bowers or Fairley available, but I am still on board with A.J. Green if he falls into the Browns’ lap.

The National Football Post has that happening in their first mock draft of the year:

6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
Adding a dynamic threat at the receiver position is a must for the Browns this offseason. And Green has the talent to come in and become an impact guy early in his NFL career.

Look, I’m as high as Green as the next guy, and I really would be okay with it, but if that is the case, the Browns absolutely need to make up for it on the defensive side of the ball in the off-season and the rest of the draft.

With the recent cuts, the team is thinner than ever on the line and at LB, and if they want any chance of contending this year, they need to address that with a sense of urgency.

NFL Mock Drafts: Robert Quinn and Marcell Dareus Popular Picks For Browns At No. 6

As we inch closer and closer to the NFL Draft (only 79 more days!), more and more mock drafts are popping up every day. While players are shifting up and down in the top 10, the general consensus is that the Browns will go with a wide receiver or will turn their attention to the defensive line.

Two players that are popping up on many mock drafts for the Browns' pick in the first round are UNC DE Robert Quinn and Alabama DT Marcell Dareus.

All five of the six writers on FF Toolbox have the Browns going with either Quinn or Dareus. The site, which has extensive coverage on many of the draft prospects, has this to say about Quinn:

2/8 Update: If Quinn has continued to hit the weight room he should be a first round draft pick…and a high one at that. Quinn's weakness has also been his strength at the point of attack and he has really had a year to get ready for the NFL Combine and prove to everybody that he is still the explosive athlete that he was in 2009.

WalterFootball also has the Browns going with the Tar Heels defensive end. Defensive players make up four of the top five picks, with A.J. Green as the exception, and with Nick Fairley and Da'Quan Bowers off the table, Quinn is rated as the best available, but Dareus and Alabama's Julio Jones are also possibilities:

The Browns would love to land a top-tier weapon for the impressive Colt McCoy (A.J. Green). But if Green isn't available, Cleveland will almost certainly beef up its front seven.

If Green is off the board and Robert Quinn is available, Cleveland almost has to take him. With the move back to the 4-3, all the Browns have at the defensive end position is Matt Roth, who has played in the 3-4 in his entire career.

Quinn missed the 2010 season because the NCAA is ridiculously stupid, hypocritical and tyrannical. If Quinn had played, he'd probably be a consensus top-five prospect.

Don Banks over at SI.com also has the Browns going Quinn, with Dareus gong a few picks later.

The Browns' first-round pick is dictated by the five picks above them. Any of the first five can be swapped and slotted in, but it is becoming increasingly clear that the Browns will go with A.J. Green (if available) or any of Quinn, Dareus, Bowers or Fairley. With Patrick Peterson the other consensus top five pick in the mix, common math says that at least one of those five targets will be there for Cleveland when the sixth pick comes around.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Post Super Bowl Cleveland Browns Edition

The Super Bowl is over and while pending labor issues are on everyone's mind, we know there will be a 2011 NFL Draft no matter what happens with any kind of lockout.  That means the NFL Scouting Combine is just a few weeks away - and it means the NFL Mock Draft season is in full swing.

SBNation's Brian Galliford posted his weekly Mock Draft this morning, the first Post-Super Bowl Mock Draft of the year and like last week Brian as the Cleveland Browns taking a pass-rush specialist - Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers:

6. Cleveland Browns: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson. One downside to Cleveland's moving to a 4-3 defense under Dick Jauron is that it may prevent the team from surrounding Colt McCoy with top-tier talent. Julio Jones would be a great pick here, but they simply couldn't pass on a potentially elite 4-3 end like Bowers.

The Browns need playmakers, but with A.J. Green already off the board in this Mock Draft, Bowers might be the best player available, someone the Browns might be inclined to take if their main target is gone instead of reaching for a position of need.

The five players picked ahead of Bowers are listed below:

1. Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

3. Buffalo Bills: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

5. Arizona Cardinals: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M