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.