SB Nation Cleveland - All Postshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48841/cleveland-fave.png2013-04-22T10:58:54-05:00http://cleveland.sbnation.com/rss/current/2013-04-22T10:58:54-05:002013-04-22T10:58:54-05:00Milliner mocked to Browns
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<p>Cleveland is in a tough spot with this pick, but could really strengthen the defense by taking Milliner.</p> <p>In SB Nation's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/22/4250052/2013-nfl-mock-draft">latest NFL mock draft</a>, Dan Kadar has the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> selecting cornerback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112706/dee-milliner">Dee Milliner</a> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/alabama-crimson-tide">Alabama Crimson Tide</a> with the No. 6 overall pick in the draft.</p>
<p>This would be a very intriguing pick on several levels. First off, Milliner is far and away the best corner in the draft by almost everyone's estimation. Milliner is massive for his position at 6'0 and 200 pounds, giving him the unique ability to match up one-on-one with larger receivers.</p>
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<b>More</b>: <a href="http://mockingthedraft.com" target="new">Extended draft analysis</a> <a href="http://dawgsbynature.com" target="new">Extended Browns coverage</a>
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<p>While the Browns desperately need help on the offensive side of the ball, there is nobody worth taking that high for them. Only left tackles are worthy of such a pick in this year's draft, and Cleveland already has Joe Thomas.</p>
<p>By drafting Milliner, the Browns would be pairing him with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/10161/joe-haden">Joe Haden</a>, one of the best young corners in the NFL. With both of those corners behind a revamped front that features <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6142/jabaal-sheard">Jabaal Sheard</a> and the newly acquired <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/13191/paul-kruger">Paul Kruger</a>, Cleveland could have an excellent defense.</p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2013/4/22/4252548/2013-nfl-mock-draft-cleveland-browns-dee-millinerMatt Verderame2013-04-17T16:54:19-05:002013-04-17T16:54:19-05:00Mock: Browns take Jordan
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<p>Cleveland has several big needs to fill, including pass rusher. Would the Oregon Duck prospect be the perfect fit for the new regime?</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> have only made the playoffs once since 1994. They are hoping that new head coach Rob Chudzinski and new general manager Michael Lombardi will be able to find the right pieces in the NFL draft to put an end to that streak as soon as possible. That starts with the sixth pick next week and finding the right key to this puzzle.</p>
<p>But who will it be?</p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>More</b>: <a target="new" href="http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2013/4/17/4233130/michael-lombardi-to-be-available-for-browns-pre-draft-presser-on">Dawgs by Nature: Lombardi press conference</a>
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<p>The Browns have several ways they could go in the draft, with Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner being a popular choice, as well as several of the pass rushers that are sure to be available when Cleveland picks. Anyone from Ezekiel Ansah to Barkevious Mingo to Bjorn Werner could be a possibility. But perhaps the player with the highest ceiling will be Dion Jordan out of Oregon. Jordan has had an excellent offseason, showing athletic talent rarely seen from a player of his size.</p>
<p>Rob Rang of CBS Sports had the Browns <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfldraftscout-RobRang">selecting Jordan in his latest mock draft:</a></p>
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<p>By inking former Baltimore Ravens' standout Paul Kruger to five-year, $40 million contract, the Browns gave new defensive coordinator an instinctive, physical piece with which to build his 3-4 defense around. Neither Kruger nor Quentin Groves (a vastly less expensive free agent addition), however, possess Jordan's length, versatility or upside, however.</p>
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<p>With several additions around the defense through free agency, the Browns do have less of a need on that side of the ball. But do any of the offensive players projected around that area of the draft fill the needs that Cleveland has? They might just have to go with the best player available, and Jordan could certainly be that.</p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2013/4/17/4236324/nfl-mock-draft-2013-brown-dion-jordanKenneth Arthur2013-04-10T17:40:33-05:002013-04-10T17:40:33-05:00McShay mocks Geno Smith to Browns
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Not many mock drafts have had the West Virginia signal-caller going to Cleveland. Does McShay's latest mock for ESPN hold water?</p> <p>If new <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Browns</a> general manager Mike Lombardi did not think that <span>Brandon Weeden</span> was a good pick for Cleveland last season, how soon is he willing to spend a pick to rectify that situation? And will the right player be available at the sixth overall pick on April 25 in New York?</p>
<p>ESPN's Todd McShay thinks so, and he thinks that player could be Geno Smith out of West Virginia.</p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Cleveland struggled to move the ball on offense in 2012, finishing 24th in scoring offense and 25th in total offense behind a sub-par effort from the rookie Weeden, who will be 30 years old during next season. Weeden completed 57.4 percent of his passes for 3,385 yards, 14 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, while backup </span><span>Colt McCoy</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> has since been traded to the </span><a style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">49ers</a><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">.</span></p>
<p>The Browns could be looking immediately for the quarterback of the future, so if Smith manages to fall out of the top five, will Cleveland hesitate to take him? McShay offers his thoughts in his latest mock draft for ESPN:</p>
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<p>General manager Mike Lombardi hasn't hidden the fact that he was not a fan of the decision to pick QB <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14878/brandon-weeden" style="border: 0px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: invert none 0px; color: #225fb2; vertical-align: baseline;">Brandon Weeden</a> in the first round in 2012, so Smith could very well be the pick here.</p>
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<p>McShay also notes that a better scenario for the Browns would be to trade down with a team looking to move up and acquire extra picks, but that could be tough to do unless a team really has their heart set on a prospect. Perhaps even Smith.</p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2013/4/10/4210658/nfl-mock-draft-2013-cleveland-browns-todd-mcshay-geno-smithKenneth Arthur2013-04-08T16:47:08-05:002013-04-08T16:47:08-05:00Mock draft: Browns still expected to take Milliner
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Not much has changed for the Browns in SB Nation's latest mock draft. They're still projected to take Dee Milliner with the sixth pick.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> have largely been quiet on the draft speculation front, despite holding the sixth overall pick. They quietly built one of the better front sevens in the NFL, but could still use some secondary help, and there's no obvious fit on offense at the No. 6 spot.</p>
<p>Thus, people continue to project them to take the best cornerback available. SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/8/4192860/2013-nfl-mock-draft-three-rounds-geno-smith-tavon-austin">released a three-round mock draft on Monday</a>, and he still has the Browns selecting Alabama CB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112706/dee-milliner">Dee Milliner</a> in the first round:</p>
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<p>During Michael Lombardi's tenure in Oakland, the team drafted defensive backs early and often. Given the amount of money Cleveland sank into the pass rush in free agency, the Browns should be able to address the cornerback spot on draft day. Dee Milliner and <span>Joe Haden</span> would form quite the tandem.</p>
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<p>Cleveland already used up their second rounder in the <span>Josh Gordon</span> supplemental draft last year, and there are no trades in this mock, so on we go to the third round, where Fairburn mocks Oregon State WR <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77807/markus-wheaton">Markus Wheaton</a> to the Browns at No. 68:</p>
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<p>The Browns need to surround <span>Brandon Weeden</span> with weapons if he's going to be successful. Markus Wheaton provides a nice deep threat across from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/89058/josh-gordon">Josh Gordon</a>.</p>
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<p>Check out Fairburn's complete mock draft at the link below.</p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2013/4/8/4202592/2013-nfl-mock-draft-brownsJon Benne2013-04-06T09:00:08-05:002013-04-06T09:00:08-05:00Michigan the Final Four's only Big Ten team
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>When the Final Four tips off on Saturday, the Michigan Wolverines will be the Big Ten's only hope at taking home the conference's first national championship since 2000. The Wolverines will play Syracuse, following Louisville-Wichita State. </p> <p>We are now just hours away from tip-off of the Final Four, with two games highlighting the final weekend of the 2013 college basketball season. In the first, Louisville will take on Wichita State, and in the night-cap, Michigan will square off with Syracuse, trying to become the first Big Ten team to take home a title since 2000.</p>
<p align="center"><i><b>For more on the story, visit </b></i><a href="http://www.cardchronicle.com/">Card Chronicle</a><i><b> and </b></i><a href="http://www.midmajormadness.com/">Mid Major Madness</a></p>
<p>In the first game of the evening, the tournament's No. 1 overall seed Louisville will open as a heavy favorite against the West Region's No. 9 seed Wichita State. The Cardinals have dominated play all postseason long, with three of their four tournament victories coming by double-digits. That includes a dominant 83-65 regional final win over Duke, to advance to Atlanta this weekend.</p>
<p>Meanwhile the second game of the evening will feature the only local Big Ten team remaining, when the Wolverines of Michigan take on Syracuse.</p>
<p align="center"><i><b>For more on the story, visit </b></i><a href="http://www.nunesmagician.com/">Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician</a><i><b> and </b></i><a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/">Maize 'N Brew</a><a href="http://www.midmajormadness.com/"></a></p>
<p>For Michigan to win, the Wolverines will rely on the play of point guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145685/trey-burke">Trey Burke</a>, who was recently named the Wooden National Player of the Year. Burke is coming off an especially strong pair of games in the regional last weekend in Dallas, where he averaged 19 points and 8.5 assists in victories over Kansas and Florida.</p>
<p>The winners of Saturday's games will play in Monday night's National Championship Game.</p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2013/4/6/4188572/final-four-schedule-2013-ncaa-tournament-bracketAaron Torres2013-04-04T07:00:06-05:002013-04-04T07:00:06-05:00Browns could add pass rush in first round
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cleveland Browns could find some top pass rushing talent in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Browns</a> are hoping to field a strong team on the back of their defense in 2013. While they invested heavily into the offense in the 2012 NFL Draft, those picks may or may not actually pan out, and under a new regime, they turned their attention to the defensive side of the ball in free agency.</p>
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<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://dawgsbynature.com" target="new">Visit Dawgs By Nature for more on the Cleveland Browns</a>
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<p>With guys like <span>Desmond Bryant</span> and <span>Paul Kruger</span> coming in, the Browns could be on the verge of contending. With the No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, they stand a chance at adding a real impact player. The big question is whether they'll add an offensive or defensive player.</p>
<p><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130403/nfl-mock-draft-4/?xid=sbnation" target="_blank">Don Banks of SI.com</a> released his latest mock draft on Wednesday, and he has the Browns going with the latter, bringing in BYU defensive end <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112942/ezekiel-ansah" class="sbn-auto-link">Ezekiel Ansah</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>With both Milliner and Jordan selected above them, the Browns would continue their offseason upgrade of the pass rush, taking the talented but relatively inexperienced Ansah. He has obvious potential that equates to a top 10 draft slot, but he requires a bit more projection than many of his highly regarded classmates.</p>
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<p>It's true that Ansah's positioning is hard to project. Many have the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> taking him at No. 5, jut before the Browns pick. That's primarily due to the team's familiarity with him, though, and most feel like he may fall a bit if the Lions don't go with him.</p>
<p>Still, Ansah would be an immediate starter for the Browns and would improve upon the team's pass rush, which has been a point of focus. In the latest mock draft from SB Nation, Dan Kadar has Alabama cornerback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112706/dee-milliner" class="sbn-auto-link">Dee Milliner</a> going to the Browns at No. 6, but he was already gone in Banks' mock, getting picked at No. 4 by the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Eagles</a>.</p>
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<p>• <a href="http://www.ninersnation.com/2013/4/2/4171740/colts-mccoy-trade-49ers-why?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Why did the 49ers trade for Colt McCoy?</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2013/3/21/4131142/2013-nfl-mock-draft?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">NFL Mock Draft: SB Nation bloggers are on the clock</a></p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2013/4/4/4181564/nfl-mock-draft-2013-browns-ezekiel-ansahJames Brady2013-04-03T21:57:37-05:002013-04-03T21:57:37-05:00Experts predict Louisville and Michigan to advance
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<figcaption>Andy Lyons</figcaption>
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<p>Experts predict Louisville and Michigan to advance to the championship game on Monday and believe the Cardinals will cut down the nets.</p> <p>This entire college basketball season has been marked by the high number of upsets, which have continued in the NCAA Tournament, but the experts believe that Louisville, the No. 1 overall seed, will cut down the nets on Monday night.</p>
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<div class="read-more">
<b>More: </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.cardchronicle.com">Card Chronicle</a><b> </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.maizenbrew.com">Maize n Brew</a><b> </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nunesmagician.com">Nunes Magician</a><b> </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.midmajormadness.com">Mid Major Madness</a>
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<p><br id="1365038476457">In Saturday's first semifinal, the experts are picking Louisville to end the Cinderella run of Wichita State. All <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/ncaa-tournament/expert-picks/straight-up/national-semifinals">four CBS Sports experts</a> predict Louisville will not only win, but <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/ncaa-tournament/expert-picks/against-the-spread/national-semifinals">cover a 10.5-point spread</a> as well. Over at <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaab/final-four-prediction-louisville-favored-by-95-against-wichita-state-on-saturday-april-06-2013">OddsShark</a>, they like the Cardinals to win a closer game, projecting a 82-75 victory. Prognosticator <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/03/18/sports/ncaabasketball/nate-bracket.html?_r=0">Nate Silver of the <i>New York Times</i> blog FiveThirtyEight</a> gives Louisville a whopping 84.6 percent chance of advancing past the Shockers.</p>
<p>The experts all agreed on Saturday's second semifinal game as well with everyone picking the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/michigan-wolverines" class="sbn-auto-link">Michigan Wolverines</a> to top the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/syracuse-orange" class="sbn-auto-link">Syracuse Orange</a>. All four CBS Sports experts agree Michigan will both win and cover a 2.5-point spread, but OddsShark predicts the game will be a thriller, with <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaab/final-four-prediction-michigan-wolverines-visit-syracuse-orange-in-college-basketball-clash-april-06-2013">Michigan coming out on top 80-79</a>. Silver has this game far closer than the first semi, giving the Wolverines a 51.9 percent chance of advancing.</p>
<p>Overall, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/03/18/sports/ncaabasketball/nate-bracket.html?_r=0">Silver likes the Cardinals</a>, putting Louisville's chances to cut down the nets at 55 percent compared to 21.2 percent for Michigan, 19 percent for Syracuse, and 4.7 percent for Wichita State. <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaab/final-four-trends-odds-favor-chalk">OddsShark also believes it will be Louisville</a> left standing in the end, citing the success of favorites in past Final Fours.</p>
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<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/4/2/4171082/kentucky-basketball-recruiting-mcdonalds-all-american-game-julius-randle-harrisons?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">The best recruiting class ever? Calipari reloads</a></p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2013/4/3/4181442/ncaa-final-four-predictionsJeff Briggs2013-04-01T12:37:27-05:002013-04-01T12:37:27-05:00Browns going CB in first round?
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<p>Will the Cleveland Browns land their No. 2 cornerback to pair with Joe Haden in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft?</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> have been making some big-time signings in hopes of improving heading into next season, after they fielded a rather competitive team in 2012. They still finished with a losing record, of course, but their defense is improving by leaps and bounds.</p>
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<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://dawgsbynature.com" target="new">Visit Dawgs By Nature for more on the Browns</a>
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<p>One could say that the Browns are on the verge of putting out an elite defense. <span>Joe Haden</span> is the cornerstone of that defense, and this offseason, the Browns added players like <span>Paul Kruger</span> and <span>Desmond Bryant</span> to help improve it. With the No. 6 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Browns stand to add an impact player, but will they go with an offensive or defensive player?</p>
<p>Dan Kadar of SB Nation posted <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/1/4168448/2013-nfl-mock-draft" target="_blank">his latest mock draft </a>on Monday and he has the Browns going with the latter, adding Alabama cornerback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112706/dee-milliner" class="sbn-auto-link">Dee Milliner</a> at pick No. 6:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Browns have sort of painted themselves into a corner with the sixth pick. Get it? Another joke. Come on, it's April Fool's. Anyway, the Browns have gone after the better starting cornerbacks in free agency and come up empty. The player opposite <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/10161/joe-haden" class="sbn-auto-link">Joe Haden</a> is the defense's biggest need, and Milliner is a good value.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>While true that a No. 2 cornerback is generally the defense's biggest need, it would be a bold move to go with a player like Milliner while the offense is lagging so far behind the defense. But establishing a tandem of Haden and Milliner would likely push the defense into elite territory, and if that's how the Browns want to build the team, they'll be in good company.</p>
<p>Milliner would instantly be the No. 2 corner behind Haden, who is one of the league's top corners when healthy and playing. Just check out Milliner's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/3/19/4121916/dee-milliner-2013-nfl-draft-scouting-report" target="_blank">scouting report here</a> if you're in doubt regarding his talent.</p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2013/4/1/4170908/nfl-mock-draft-2013-browns-dee-millinerJames Brady