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.