NFL Mock Draft: Kiper And McShay Differ Between Browns Taking WR or DE In The Second Round

With the second round pivotal to the future of the Cleveland Browns, both Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. have released their mock drafts for the first half of Friday night before the third round kicks off.

The Browns' needs are well documented, and it isn't so much a question of IF they take a DE and a WR, but when. This is where McShay and Kiper disagree, as they often do. McShay has Da'Quan Bowers falling to Cleveland at 37, with Titus Young of Boise State coming with their other second round selection. Neither of these picks are surprising, and both make a lot of sense. By the same token, Kiper sees things in a similar light, but flipped.

The Godfather of the Draft thinks the Browns will reach in the second round to select Titus and target Justin Houston of Georgia. Kiper writes:

Houston is a great value this late in Round 2. He's a tweener but offers a lot of potential as a pass rusher.

Either of these scenarios seem positive for a team that desperately needs more help on the defensive line and a playmaker out wide.

But a lot relies on whether or not there will be a Fantasy Baseball Closer Rush on quarterbacks at the beginning of the second round from teams like Arizona and Cincinnati, as well as the looming, almost inevitable, deal that New England will make to trade the 33rd pick.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Rick Gosselin Has Cleveland Taking Julio Jones

Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning Journal is typically known as one of the most accurate mock draft experts. He released his final NFL mock draft last night for the first round and he has the Cleveland Browns drafting wide receiver Julio Jones:

The Browns need a lead receiver to accelerate the development of QB Colt McCoy. Voila — Jones was a walk-in starter at Alabama, and he’ll be a walk-in starter at Cleveland. He averaged almost 15 yards per career catch. (Team needs: WR, CB, OT, DE)

Perhaps the biggest surprise in Gosselin’s mock draft is the fact that he has five quarterbacks being drafted within the first twelve picks! He also has defensive linemen Nick Fairley and Robert Quinn falling below projections, with Quinn falling all the way to No. 20 overall. He also had Bowers falling completely out of the first round. Could he be available when the Browns pick in round two?

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Browns Take Julio Jones in the ESPN Beat Writer's Mock

The ESPN beat writer’s mock draft took place today during the show’s live SportsCenter special, and it’s probably one of the better mock drafts you will find out there.

All of the guys making the picks have been covering their respective teams, and the guys are making educated guesses as to which players the teams will pick based on who is available from previous picks with no trades.

In this mock draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones, who fits the West Coast system perfectly. Jones is becoming a very popular selection for the Browns since it seems that Georgia WR A.J. Green will likely be off the board.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Will The Browns Take Robert Quinn?

It's finally here! The 2011 NFL Draft is finally upon us, and it gets underway on Thursday. It's been a long wait, but we finally find out who will be the newest member of the Cleveland Browns. SB Nation just released their latest edition of the 2011 NFL Mock Draft, and they have the Browns taking Robert Quinn with the No. 6 overall pick; here is their rationale.

Moving to the 4-3 under Dick Jauron, it's imperative that the Browns get better personnel there. Quinn is a potentially elite pass rusher.

I think Quinn would be a pretty good selection at No. 6 if A.J. Green is off the board. Who knows if he is one of the two prospects that the Browns reportedly have on their wish list at this point however. He would be a foundation type player on the defensive side of the ball for years to come, similar to Terrell Suggs in Baltimore.

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28, and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare: NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it out at SB Nation's NFL Draft page and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking the Draft.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Browns Reportedly Targeting Two Players At No. 6

The Cleveland Browns have the No. 6 overall pick in the upcoming draft, which means that they will be able to choose from all but five of the prospects that are eligible to be drafted this year; technically. It's an awfully big decision to make. But according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, they have narrowed their wish list down to two; although the names on that list aren't clear.

Browns General Manager Tom Heckert told the Akron Beacon Journal that his wish list with the Browns’ first-round pick in this week’s NFL draft, the sixth pick overall, contains only two players, and if neither of those two players is available when the Browns are on the clock, they’ll try to trade down.

They continue to speculate that one of the names is Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green, and I think that makes a great deal of sense. They also throw out the name Marcell Dareus, but I think the Browns are realistic enough to know that Dareus will not be there when they draft. So maybe Robert Quinn, the other name PFT mentions, is a more attainable target.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Browns Will Have Options In The First Round

Todd McShay ust came out with his latest Mock Draft at ESPN, and in it he lays out a few different options for each team picking in the first round. He lists these as the options for the Browns.

The first is to stay put and take Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones. In this scenario, Georgia wideout A.J. green was taken No. 4 to the Bengals, and therefore is unavailable. That doesn't diminish the Browns' need for a wide receiver, and Jones would be a pretty good consolation prize.

The second option depends on who the Bengals pick two picks before them. If it isn't A.J. green, then the Browns take him here. Pretty simple stuff actually. The first two options basically say that the Browns will take the best wide receiver on the board.

The third option would be to wait for a wide receiver in one of the later rounds, and take North Carolina linebacker Robert Quinn who McShay says would be a good fit in Dick Jauron's new defense.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Who Might The Browns Targer In Second Round?

If you’re a rabid NFL fan, then you’ve likely perused dozens of mock drafts this past few months. For understandable reasons, most of these mocks end at the end of round one. What about the other six rounds? Well, mocking an entire seven round draft is no easy task, but you would think that more columnists and bloggers would at least take a crack at mocking the second round as well.

Lo and behold, SB Nation recently posted their latest two round mock draft. Let’s take a look at who they pegged as a potential second round pick for the Cleveland Browns:

37. Cleveland Browns: Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina. He’s a character risk, but he’s also precisely the type of three-tech DT that Dick Jauron needs for his 4-3 defense.

This is an interesting choice here for the Browns. On the one hand, SB Nation is exactly right by saying that Austin is the type of three-technique interior DT talent that new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron would be interested in acquiring. The fact that Shaun Rogers is no longer with the Browns also increases the likelihood that Cleveland will be look to use a high pick on a highly regarded DT in this year’s draft.

Furthermore, even though Austin has some question marks surrounding him from a character standpoint, it’s worth noting that these red flags aren’t necessarily all that alarming. Austin was suspended for the entire 2010 season due to an agent scandal. It’s not as if he failed drug tests, got in fights, or the like. Mike Lombardi recently wrote about Austin, claiming he believes the Tar Heels product has top ten talent. I’m not sure about that, but he definitely has first round talent, so if he is still on the board in round two when the Browns pick at No. 37, it’s not at all a stretch to think that Mike Holmgren would roll the dice on the young man. We’ll see! Only a week and a half or so away from the 2011 NFL Draft finally commencing after months of speculation.

For more coverage leading up to next week’s NFL Draft, check out the latest 2011 NFL Mock Draft at SBNation.com and visit our blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Peter King's Mock Draft Has Browns Selecting WR Julio Jones

Well, many people expect the Cleveland Browns to strongly consider drafting a wide receiver with the sixth pick in the draft, but how often do you see Julio Jones’ name attached to that pick?

In his first mock draft of the offseason, SI.com reporter and NFL analyst Peter King has done just that. King’s mock draft has highly touted wide receiver A.J. Green going one pick before Cleveland (typical Browns luck) to the Arizona Cardinals, which was perhaps his most curious first round selection.

Jones is coming off of a foot injury that he either suffered or aggravated at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran a 4.39 second 40 yard dash. Jones is a big receiver who has drawn comparisons to Roddy White.

If the Browns are serious about adding a top tier receiver, they really cannot go wrong with either Green or Jones, both of whom tore up the SEC in their three years there. Some feel that both are top five picks anyway, so the Browns wouldn’t be missing out on a lot of value here.

If you want to see the rest of King’s mock draft, you can do so by following this link.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Who Will Browns Take In The First Round?

With the Draft getting ever closer, we are starting to get a better idea of who will be available for each team, and who they will probably end up drafting. All of the speculation over the past few months has turned into some educated guesses, and believe me, that's an important step.

For most of this process we have seen one of two positions mocked to the Browns more than any others; defensive line and wide receiver. I don't think the Browns needs for those positions has changed, but I do think that the prospects that will be available when they pick have certainly shifted a little bit. So instead of just guessing, let's try to see if we can figure out who might be on the board by trying to peg the five picks ahead of the Browns with our friend Mel Kiper.

At this point it appears pretty likely that the Carolina Panthers will take Cam Newton if they keep the first overall pick. He isn't a need for the Browns, so that's not so much of a big deal.

Kiper says the second overall pick will come down to Von Miller or Marcell Dareus. I think it is also safe to assume that whichever player the Broncos don't take second overall will go the Buffalo Bills with the very next pick because the two teams have very similar needs. So with three picks down, we have Miller, Dareus and Newton off the board.

The Bengals are a little bit harder to project ar No. 4. They have been projected to take Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert, but that is not a certainty by any means. If the Browns are serious about getting A.J. Green, then this would be the only potential roadblock. Kiper says that if he had that choice to make, he would take Green.

If the Draft plays out this way, then the Cardinals will likely take LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson with the fith overall pick. The only positions they need more than cornerback are quarterback and OLB. So if all of those prospects (Newton, Gabbert and Miller) are off the board, I think they take Peterson and are pretty happy with their selection.

So that Brings us to the Browns at No. 6. If Green is on the board, then he is the pick. But if he does in fact go to the Bengals, then some other prospects that might interest them are Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers, Auburn DT Nick Fairley and UNC OLB Robert Quinn. Of those players, I think the pick would be Bowers if his knee checks out, Quinn if it doesn't.

But we can cross that bridge when we come to it. I think the Bengals know that Carson Palmer is serious about his threat of retirement, and so they will take Gabbert to replace him. That leaves A.J. Green on the board for the Browns, and I believe that he will be the pick.

For more coverage leading up to next week's NFL Draft, check out the latest 2011 NFL Mock Draft at SBNation.com and visit our blog, Mocking The Draft.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Will the Browns Get A Chance To Draft A.J. Green?

The Browns have a number of holes on their roster, and they should be able to get a good prospect to fill one of them with their first round pick in the upcoming draft. The direction they will go with that pick will probably depend on who is available when they choose. In the latest 2011 NFL Mock Draft at SB Nation, the best position available is wide receiver, and they have the Browns pulling the trigger on Georgia's A.J. Green. Here is their rationale.

Arguably the best player in the draft, Green would do wonders for Colt McCoy's development.

They shouldn't have to even explain why Green would be an intriguing pick for the Browns. He has the type of talent to be a major difference maker at a position of need for the Browns. He would also make the rest of the players on offense better as he would draw attention away from them. And he'd be the kind of player that could greatly increase the rate at which Browns' QB Colt McCoy progresses. If Green is on the board, I think he'd be a home-run for the Browns.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Todd McShay Gives The Browns Patrick Peterson In Latest Mock

These days, just about anyone can put together an NFL Mock Draft. It just requires that the author have some opinion about who the team in question should take, not necessarily who they will take. Even someone like Todd McShay doesn't really know where all the teams are leaning. But McShay did something interesting with his latest Mock at ESPN. He brought in two NFL Scouts to help him put together his recent mock.

In that first round mock, they gave the Browns LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson. McShay explains the selection.

I've had Peterson projected in that spot recently, but with the Browns ignoring need and taking the best available player one pick before, Amukamara made the most sense to me. The 49ers have bigger needs at quarterback and along the defensive line, but no one available at those positions was worth the pick. Amukamara carries similar value to a few other players at that spot but he does offer an upgrade at a position that is a secondary need.

I agree with McShay in this pick. Cornerback might not be the biggest need, but Peterson might be too good of a prospect to pass up.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Will The Browns Get Help Along The Defensive Line?

The Browns are transitioning to a new defensive scheme, but they don't really have the personnel to make it work as of now. That's why so many Mocks you'll find around the Internet give the Browns a defensive lineman with their first round selection at No. 6 overall. It also helps that there is a lot of talent at that position in this Draft. Mocking the Draft just came out with their latest 2011 NFL Mock Draft and they give the Browns Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers. Here is their rationale.

Bowers is still under the spotlight because of concerns over a knee injury. However, he has the potential to anchor the Browns defensive line for years. Cleveland is switching to a 4-3 defense but lacks the proper pieces and  adding Bowers would be a great starting point.

Bowers is sliding down Draft Boards because of that knee injury, but before that, he was considered one of the best players in this draft any any position. If the knee holds up (which is something the Browns should find out more about while he is visiting the team this week) than he would be a great pick at No. 6, and a good foundation to build the offensive line around.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Browns Get A.J. Green In Latest Mock From SB Nation

The fellas over at SB Nation just came out with the latest edition of the 2011 NFL Mock Draft, and they have a nice little present dropping to the Browns with the No. 6 overall pick. Despite pointing out that he might be the absolute best player in the Draft, they have Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green falling to the Browns. Here is their rationale.

Along with Peterson, Green is most often mentioned as the best player in this draft class regardless of position. Sure, the Browns need help defensively, but getting Colt McCoy elite skill talent makes just as much - if not more - sense.

I understand that the Browns have some holes along the defensive front, but you can't really pass up on a talent like A.J. Green if he falls in your lap; especially when wide receiver is a pretty big need as well. I think the Browns would be very happy to take one of the defensive lineman who should be available to them, but if Green falls to them, I don't think they hesitate in pulling the trigger.

2011 NFL Draft: North Carolina Defensive End Robert Quinn Visiting The Browns On Tuesday

The Cleveland Browns have apparently chosen the week of April 12th to host all the big name players in the Draft. They've had players like A.J. Green, Julio Jones, Da'Quan Bowers, Nick Fairley among others at the facility this week. According to Mary Kay Cabot at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Robert Quinn will join the hitlist on Tuesday.

"I think he's absolutely in consideration at No. 6 and I think there's a couple of teams even higher up in the draft who'd consider him as well,'' said Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki on a conference call last week. "I think Quinn is a guy that elevated after Bowers Pro Day.''

Quinn is an interesting prospect because he was suspended for the 2010 season. But had he not been, he might be a lock to go in the top-five. He is one of the more physically dominating players in the draft. Someone will fall in love with his potential and take him early, and it looks like that could be the Browns.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Browns Hosting Handful Of Prospects This Week

We already mentioned this morning that the Browns will be hosting Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller for a workout on Monday and Tuesday, but now it turns out that he is just one of a handful of players that the Browns will host for a workout this week. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns will also be hosting wide receivers A.J. Green and Julio Jones, among others.

It's a big week for the Browns as they'll host some of the biggest names in the draft, including  receivers A.J. Green and Julio Jones, cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara and defensive linemen Da'Quan Bowers.

Other top prospects expected to visit include quarterback Cam Newton and defensive tackles Marcell Dareus and Nick Fairley.

That;s just about every name that has been mentioned in the top-ten of the draft, except for Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert. I'm not a math major, but based on how may prospects they brought in, one of the players they interview will have to be available at the No. 6 overall pick. So this may be the group of players that the Browns are picking from.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Texas A&M Linebacker Von Miller Visting The Browns

Texas A&M linebacker and pass rush specialist Von Miller has shot up draft boards this offseason with strong performances at Al--Star games and the Combine. He is now seen as nearly a lock to go in the top ten. The Browns at No. 6 have some interest in Miller and will host him in Cleveland on Monday and Tuesday, according to James Walker at ESPN.com. Here is what ESPN's Mel Kiper has to say about Miller.

"He led the nation in sacks two years ago and would have this year had he not had the ankle injury early on. Then you think about leverage coming off the edge. The kid gets like a motorcycle driver coming around the corner. You wonder how some of those guys can stay on the bike on motocross and this guy is the same way. He comes around that edge and I don't even know how he stays on his feet. He gets this tremendous leverage on those big tackles and they just can't handle him."

Miller would be the kind of playmaking linebacker one would hope to get with a top ten pick. We'll have more details on Miller's visit when and if they become available.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Kiper and McShay's Latest Projections

ESPN.com is having a bit of a mock draft party today with Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. both revealing their latest three round projections.

Both analysts see the top five picks going the same (Newton, Dareus, Miller, Green, Gabbert) but they first differ when the Cleveland Browns are on the clock. Kiper sees the Browns taking Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones, and McShay thinks they will take pass rusher Robert Quinn.

McShay’s analysis:

It appeared at one point that Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers would be a steal here but concerns about Bowers’ injured knee continue to increase. Quinn, meanwhile, is coming off a strong pro day workout, and while he’s not as stout against the run he offers significantly more upside than Bowers as a pass rusher. Adding an impact right defensive end like Quinn would be a great start for the Browns as they transition to a 4-3 defense.

Kiper had this to say in defense of his Julio Jones pick:

There are a lot of Browns fans probably hoping that Green falls to this spot, but if Jones is the one available, he’s an outstanding consolation prize. His size and speed combination is the best in the draft at the position, and his development as a wideout over the past year shows a determination and work ethic that will be loved by the coaching staff. The Browns need a true No. 1 at wide receiver, and if healthy, Jones can be that guy. A gifted athlete, he blocks as hard as he runs routes. Great when healthy, still really good when battling through pain.

Personally, I think the better of the two selections is the Robert Quinn pick. Quinn has excellent ability rushing the passer, and likely would be a top three pick had he not been suspended this past year.

Cleveland Browns Slated For Big Week Next Week With Top Prospect Visits

When trying to decide who to place in your mock drafts for the Cleveland Browns, there are a few names that are constantly considered. Some think it will be Da’Quan Bowers, some think a quarterback, and some even think the Browns will spend their prime choice on a wide receiver.

Whatever your personal preference, the Browns are lining up pre-draft visits and workouts with players, and next week is going to be a huge week in that regard. The Browns will host Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers and Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller next Monday, and will bring in Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion quarterback Cam Newton on Tuesday.

The Browns are implementing a new coaching staff and thus a new defensive scheme, and it’s been speculated that Bowers might be the best strong-side defensive end prospect available in this year’s crop of players. Miller is known for his incredible athleticism and pass rushing abilities, and would likely be the strong-side linebacker in the Browns’ 4-3 alignment.

Newton, on the other hand, is one of the more controversial players in the draft, though some believe it’s not for very good reason. Newton’s antics off the field have scared some scouts and analysts but he has drawn rave reviews throughout the pre-draft process.

The Browns have yet to schedule a private workout with Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green, which may or may not surprise some people. Green is often mocked to the Browns with the sixth pick, and they certainly have time to coordinate a visit if they still want to.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Who Will Cleveland Target In The First Two Rounds?

The 2011 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and Mocks continue to flood your computer screens. Today, we're going to look at Walter Football, who is mocking the entire draft. We're just going to focus on the first two rounds because it only gets worse (in terms of guessing accuracy) from there.

In the first round, they have the Browns taking LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson. Here is their rationale.

Peterson is arguably the top talent in this draft class. Mike Holmgren has a thing for drafting defensive backs early, and I can't imagine how excited he would be at the prospect of having Peterson and Joe Haden as his starting cornerbacks.

Cornerback might not be the biggest need for the Browns, but I agree with Walter that putting Peterson next to Haden might be too good to pass up. In addition, Peterson is arguably the draft's best athlete, and getting him at the No. 6 pick would be excellent value. In the second round, they have the Browns taking Maryland wide receiver Torrey Smith.

Torrey Smith is a blue-collar, multi-year starter who would appeal to Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert. I know the Browns spent second-round picks on Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi, but that was done by the old regime. Robiskie and Massquoi won't prevent Cleveland from obtaining someone like Smith.

Smith is the kind of guy who could climb into the first round as the Draft gets closer. He has good size, is an above average athlete, and makes big plays when they are needed. If they don't take a receiver at No. 6 then Smith in the second round would be an excellent pick in the second round. He is the exact type of talent they need to put with Colt McCoy.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: A.J. Green To The Browns In The Latest SB Nation Mock

SB Nation just came out with the latest edition of their 2011 NFL Mock Draft, and the prospect they have going to the Browns is a pretty welcome sight. They have Georgia A.J. Green going No. 6 to Cleveland. Here is their rationale.

Last Thursday, the easy projection here would have been Da'Quan Bowers. Now, it's tough to see any pass rusher worth this pick; Nick Fairley would make sense for Dick Jauron's 4-3, but adding a unique receiving talent to aid in Colt McCoy's development makes more sense.

There are certainly a lot of prospects that should be available who could help the Browns out defensively, but none of them could change a game quite like A.J. Green. They need to add some pieces around Colt McCoy, and Green could be a No. 1 target for years to come. He has all the tools to be a dominant receiver in the NFL, and I don't think the Browns pass him up if he is available to them.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Nick Fairley and Robert Quinn Emerging for Browns?

I just recently started making my most recent mock draft, and two new names popped up as candidates for me with the Cleveland Browns’ top draft pick. Right now, I am fairly confident that they are not going to take A.J. Green with the sixth overall pick. If they are going to take Green, I think it will likely be in a trade down scenario.

By the time the Browns pick at six, I think you will see Marcell Dareus, one of the top defensive tackles already off the board, whether it’s to Carolina, Denver, Buffalo, or any of the top five teams.

That leaves the Browns with options in Nick Fairley, Da’Quan Bowers, and Robert Quinn to upgrade their defensive line and pass rush. With Bowers’ knee injuries and lack of explosion, I think they may look to pass on him with this pick and take either Fairley or possibly even Richard Quinn.

Now, Bowers remains an option for Cleveland, of course, as well as Green, this is just how I think it could go.

Robert Quinn recently showed excellent athleticism at the North Carolina pro day, and NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said he has “rare and elite skills” for the defensive end position. I personally believe Quinn is the top pass rushing end in the entire draft, and he would instantly upgrade the Cleveland defense.

Fairley is a bit rough around the edges, but is probably the best penetrating defensive tackle in the draft and should be an instant impact player in the NFL.

In my personal mock draft, I went with Fairley. I think he could be great value at six overall, and an excellent pick for the Browns.

NFL Mock Draft: Is It A.J. Green Or Da'Quan Bowers For The Browns?

Another day, another Mock Draft update to pass along. This time, it's from USA Today, who seems to be doing a Supreme Court like panel of voters for every pick in the first round. it's the kind of Mock you need serious experience in Excel to understand. But I'll try to break it down for you anyway.

The six people making picks only chose two different players to go to the Browns; Da'Quan Bowers and A.J. Green. Four out of the six chose Bowers, but it should be noted that in three of those four, Green was already off the board. Only one Moc Drafter didn't give the Browns A.J. Green when they had the opportunity to. And that person has Green going all the way down at No. 10, so I'm not sure they can be trusted.

Both of these are elite prospects, and I think the Browns would be happy to get either one. I think green might be more of a fan favorite because he is a playmaking wide receiver, but I think Bowers will be able to make an impact as well.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Would A.J. Green Be A Good Fit For The Browns?

The NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and more and more mocks are starting to pour in. Evan Silva just posted his latest on Pro Football Talk, and it has to be somewhat of a dream come true for Browns' fans. He has them taking Georgia WR A.J. Green at sixth overall, giving Colt McCoy a reliable target to throw to for years to come. Here is his rationale, as if it's needed.

Green is a top-five player on film, and Colt McCoy’s potential to be a franchise quarterback will be significantly reduced if Cleveland rides the status quo at receiver.  A game-breaking deep threat, Green is exactly the sort of “home-run hitter” that club president Mike Holmgren is pining for.

There are some out there who think that Green is the best player in this draft, so to get him at the sixth pick would be incredible value for the Browns. And getting that value at a position of need is a huge bonus. Green can be a game-breaker in the NFL, and he could give the Browns an added dimension to their offense.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Marcell Dareus Still Linked To The Browns

Just in case you weren't aware, SB Nation has a blog that is dedicated to everything NFL Draft, and it is called (quite ironically) Mocking The Draft. They've rounded up contributors from all of SB Nation's NFL team blogs to participate in a Community Mock Draft of the first two rounds that will go right up until the actual draft in April.

For Cleveland's pick, they went to Dawgs By Nature contributor Chris Pokorny, and he chose Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus; which is starting to become a very popular pick for the Browns. Here is his explanation.

For all intents and purposes, the Browns only have one confirmed starting defensive lineman as they switch to the 4-3 alignment next season – defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin. The Browns cut ties with veterans Shaun Rogers and Kenyon Coleman, so they could get younger and faster on the defensive line as soon as possible. Dareus fits that bill, and pairing him with Rubin is a great move because it solidifies the inside with two players who, combined, can stop the run well and generate a decent pass rush. Dareus also feels like a more secure pick than Nick Fairley and Da'Quan Bowers given their character and injury issues, respectively.

And reaction from Mocking the Draft's Dan Kadar.

It would be a fortunate situation if Dareus is still available when the Browns pick. Pokorny is spot-on with his analysis of the team's roster. And while there is depth at defensive line, there won't a player anywhere near as good as Dareus in the second round. In addition, Dareus would help give the Browns scheme flexibility. While the team is committed to the 4-3, having Dareus would allow them to naturally run 3-4 sets on occasion. Tradition, fair or not, also shows that the Browns never really draft "sexy" players early especially well. In this instance, mean and nasty should trump sexy.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Is Marcell Dareus A Good Fit For The Browns?

The Browns are going back to a 4-3 Defense, and that means updating some of the talent up front. Luckily for them, this draft is full of difference makers along the defensive line. In their latest 2011 NFL Mock Draft, SB Nation has the Browns landing one of the best in Alabama's Marcell Dareus. Here is its rationale.

If Dick Jauron had his way, he might prefer a pass rusher here. That makes Robert Quinn a distinct possibility if Bowers is off the board, but choosing between Quinn and Dareus, you take the slam dunk. That's Dareus.

Dareus might not be a perfect fit at DT or DE in a 4-3, but he is versatile enough to play either one effectively. When you have an opportunity to draft someone like Dareus, you can't pass him up just because he isn't a perfect fit. In fact, there are no systems that he is a perfect fit for because he doesn't really have a defined position. He is just a dominant football player, and the Browns need all of those that they can get.

In Latest SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, Cleveland Browns Select Da'Quan Bowers

SB Nation’s Brian Galliford has once again updated his 2011 NFL Mock Draft, and he now projects the Cleveland Browns will select Da’Quan Bowers, a defensive end from Clemson, with the sixth overall selection. He explains his choice:

Either receiver, A.J. Green or Julio Jones, would be a smart pick here as the Browns build around Colt McCoy. That said, either of the two pass rushers – Bowers or Robert Quinn – would be equally difficult to pass on as the Browns move to the 4-3.

The shift to a 4-3 defense could indeed prompt the Browns to shore up their line with Bowers; ESPN Insider Todd McShay had the same thought last week.

Dawgs by Nature, SB Nation’s Browns blog, also had Cleveland taking a defensive end in its ongoing mock draft exercise, but with Bowers off the board, it settled for Cameron Jordan of California.

Please visit Dawgs by Nature for more Browns coverage.

Todd McShay's Latest Mock Has the Browns Taking Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers

Todd McShay is a very popular NFL Draft analyst, so when he speaks, people tend to listen. In his latest mock draft (only available to ESPN Insiders) he has the Cleveland Browns selecting Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers.

To me, Bowers is an impressive prospect. To this point, we’ve seen the Browns take anyone from A.J. Green to Robert Quinn, but getting Bowers would be a pretty nice steal.

As McShay notes, Dick Jauron is now leading the Cleveland defense, and his 4-3 style of play will require a dominant pass rusher at defensive end (what defense wouldn’t love that?). The biggest question mark surrounding Bowers right now is his surgically repaired meniscus, which is causing some scouts major concerns.

Playing most of the year on a partially torn meniscus, Bowers led the nation with 15.5 sacks and had more than 25 tackles for a loss. His impressive season shot him up draft boards, but right now his knee is a pretty large concern. If he was fully healthy, he could be a lock for the top two picks. If not, he is a nice steal here for the Browns. Here is McShay’s analysis:

New defensive coordinator Dick Jauron is leading the transition to a 4-3 scheme and needs to find the proper personnel along the front seven, and finding a traditional 4-3 end is a top priority this offseason. Bowers is an ideal fit, with the power, quickness an instincts to be an every-down end in the NFL. He might fall this far only because of lingering concerns about recent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee, but if the Browns can get Bowers they will certainly be happy.

Latest SB Nation Mock Draft Has Browns Taking UNC DE Robert Quinn

In the latest SB Nation Mock Draft writer Brian Galliford has the Cleveland Browns selecting former North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn.

6. Cleveland Browns: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina. In order to take Quinn, a team is going to need to be comfortable with the brain tumor he’s played with since high school. As the Browns shift to the 4-3 under Dick Jauron, however, Quinn is the type of building block that the Browns lack.

Robert Quinn, in my opinion, is one of the best pass rushers in this draft. When you watch him on tape, he gets around the edge so quickly, has long arms, and what so many people lack in college right now is the ability to finish well. Quinn has that ability. At the age of 19, he had 11 sacks and 19 tackles for loss for the Tar Heels, and was simply a dominant player.

At 6’5" 265 pounds, he has the size to develop into a fantastic pass rusher, and would fit in right away for the Browns as the strong-side defensive end. Quinn has great quickness, but the biggest concern with him right now is the fact that he missed all of the 2010 season after being dismissed from the team for accepting improper benefits from an agent.

Quinn, as Galliford mentioned, also has some health concerns with a brain tumor he battled in high school. If he checked out at the Combine, you should see him off the board in the top 10-12 picks. He is extremely skilled.

NFL Mock Draft: Mel Kiper Sees Green In Cleveland Browns Future

ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper released his latest Mock Draft(INSIDER NEEDED) this morning and there were a few surprises ahead of the Cleveland Browns in the Top-5. Kiper had the Carolina Panthers reaching for QB Blaine Gabbert, a situation that could throw the entire draft into a frenzy, especially if the is a CBA and teams can once again trade players and picks.

Here’s a look at the Top-5:

1. Carolina Panthers – QB Blaine Gabbert
2. Denver Broncos – DT Nick Fairley
3. Buffalo Bills – DT Marcell Dareus
4. Cincinnati Bengals – QB Cam Newton
5. Arizona Cardinals – OLB Von Miller

That brings us to the Browns, who have needs at wide receiver and along the defensive line. With Patrick Peterson on the board the Browns would have to be tempted, right? Same thing with Da’Quan Bowers sitting there in front of them.

Kiper’s selection? The Browns need playmakers on offense and A.J. Green from Georgia might be the best receiver available:

Green answered all the necessary questions at the NFL combine, checking in just a hair under his listed 6-foot-4, with a 211-pound frame that could easily take on a little more weight, and his 4.48 speed in the 40 was solid given his size. In Green you have a player with the profile of an immediate impact talent at wide receiver, and a solution on the outside in Cleveland, where they are desperate for a true No. 1 wideout. He’s a perfect fit, and it’s hard to imagine the Browns passing on him if he’s around. (Especially if they ask Colt McCoy for an opinion.)

Hard to argue, but with so much defensive talent still on the board – at least in Mel’s mock draft – the Browns may be better served to go that direction.

In Mile High Report Mock, Browns Trade Down, Get Georgia WR AJ Green

In Mile High Report’s official community mock draft, which features representatives from all over the community, the Cleveland Browns made the first big trade of the draft and swapped spots with the Minnesota Vikings, who hold the 12th selection in the draft.

General Manager Idaho Nate was thrilled to find out that one of the top players in the entire draft slipped through the cracks.

When the Washington Redskins surprised everyone and made Julio Jones the first wide receiver selected, Green’s Crabtree-like fall ended at no. 12 overall with Cleveland, who were elated to select him.

Not only was Cleveland’s mock GM able to acquire extra picks for the draft, they were also able to nab what has to be assumed as their top target in the whole process.

From GM Idaho Nate:

We are thrilled to get AJ Green at #12! We felt Green was the best WR in the draft and he was #1 on our board. We think that Colt McCoy has a very bright future in the NFL and we knew we needed to provide Colt with a dangerous playmaker on the outside. AJ Green definately fits that bill.

NFL Mock Draft: Browns To Address D-Line In Latest Look At First Round

In the latest SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the Cleveland Browns are projected to select Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers to help bolster their defensive line, particularly in the pass rushing department.

Bowers is an impressive prospect. After being the top rated prep-school prospect three years ago, his career as a Clemson Tiger got off to a very rocky start. With only four sacks in two seasons, he was not living up to the initial hype that he had created for himself, and then tragedy struck.

In a year's time, Bowers lost his mentor--former Clemson star defensive end Gaines Adams--as well as his father. Something seemed to click with Bowers from that moment on, as he took the country by storm in 2010. After two disappointing seasons with the Tigers, Bowers led the country with 15.5 sacks and over 25 tackles for a loss. Some scouts believe that if his technique were more refined, he would have easily had over 20 sacks on the year.

Bowers' impressive senior season statistically is made even more impressive when you add in the fact that he played most of the season with a partially torn meniscus, a knee injury that would undoubtedly affect a defensive end whose job is to get around the edge and chase quarterbacks and running backs.

For the Cleveland Browns, Bowers would be a fine selection if he were to fall that far, which may or may not be so likely. Bowers has received a very lofty comparison to another former ACC star: North Carolina multi-sport athlete Julius Peppers.

The Browns' pass rush needs a significant boost. The team gave up on Kamerion Wimbley last offseason and traded him to Oakland, and they also let go of 2009 second round pick David Veikune, who later wound up in the AFC West with the Denver Broncos.

In the 2010 NFL Draft, Cleveland did a fine job of adding talent to their defensive backfield, and it seems they found a couple of real gems in safety T.J. Ward and cornerback Joe Haden. Now the key is going to be maximizing those players' potential by making life more difficult for opposing quarterbacks, and on paper, Bowers certainly seems to accomplish that.