Category: Cleveland Browns (Page 112 of 114)

Regarded by most as the top offensive tackle in the draft, the 6-7, 320-pound Alex Barron is a tremendous athlete with a massive 7-6 wingspan who allowed just one sack in his senior season at Florida State. There are injury concerns here, including a torn ACL in 2000, fractured hands in 2001 and shoulder surgery last year, but Barron looks like an ideal NFL right tackle with the potential to develop into an anchor at left tackle. Some question his work ethic and motivation, while others wonder if he?s mean enough to dominate in the NFL, but the physical characteristics are all there. Still, the only way Barron winds up in Cleveland is if they?re able to trade down in the first round, but all indications are that Phil Savage would love to move down a couple times to stockpile picks. If they end up in the 10-15 range, Barron could be targeted.

The Plain Dealer?s Mary Kay Cabot says Barron?s college coaches believe he?ll be an All-Pro tackle one day while admitting that he has some growing up to do.

Dennis Gilbert from the Sporting News says scouts love Barron because he?s ?fast, he’s huge, and he’s a gifted athlete.?

A February 2004 column from CollegeFootballNews.com tabbed Barron the best tackle in the nation while adding that he looks like the ?prototype NFL tackle.?

For more on Alex Barron, check out these links:

Sun Sentinel

Tampa Tribune

ESPN

FOX Sports

Northwest Herald

Draft profiles:
NFL.com
CBS Sportsline
ESPN.com
FOX Sports
CNNSI.com

This is going to be an interesting one, folks. Nobody knows who’s going where — nobody, not even the players — which means there will be plenty of drama tomorrow afternoon. ESPN Insider is now reporting that the 49ers could pass on Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers, instead selecting Braylon Edwards with the first overall pick. The ‘Niners and Smith reportedly are far apart in contract negotiations, with both sides conceding that a deal will not be done by the draft.

This potentially is good and bad news for the Browns. If they want Edwards at three, then obviously this isn’t a good development, but if Smith is the top guy on their board, as some people claim he is, then Phil Savage could be smiling right now. Of course, if Edwards goes #1, the Buccaneers may very well trade up to #2 with the Dolphins to nab Smith, leaving the Browns in a tough position. Do they reach for their top defensive player? Do they try to trade down, hoping someone who wants one of the top running backs will be willing to deal? Do they take Mike Williams?

I’ve said all along that if Edwards and Smith are both gone and the Browns are unable to move down, Mike Williams should be the pick. This guy’s a beast (6-5, 229) and although he’s not a burner, he knows how to get open and make plays on the ball. I know everyone’s talking about taking a defender here but getting a top receiver like Edwards or Williams and teaming him with Kellen Winslow immediately improves the entire offense. You can get solid linebackers and defensive linemen later in the draft, but not receivers the caliber of Edwards and Williams.

Incidentally, ESPN’s Mock Draft had Smith going #1, Rodgers #2 and Edwards #3, with neither of the top-three teams able to move down. With all the trade talk swirling around, I’d be surprised if none of the top-three teams are able to deal their picks, but stranger things have happened.

Another guy who makes more sense for the Browns if they?re able to trade out of the third slot, David Pollack is a relentless pass rusher who recorded 36 sacks in his collegiate career at Georgia. A two-time recipient of the Ted Hendricks Award (top defensive end) and the 2004 winner of the Lombardi Award (top lineman), Pollack fits in with guys like Shawne Merriman and Derrick Johnson as someone the Browns would look at as a defensive end/outside linebacker who can put consistent pressure on the quarterback. At 6-3, Pollack doesn?t have ideal size for a defensive end but he makes up for it with great instincts and a non-stop motor, drawing comparisons to New England linebacker Tedy Brusci for his playmaking abilities. Like Merriman and Johnson, Pollack may be a reach at #3 but with so few truly elite players in this draft class, don?t be surprised to see the former Bulldog go higher than some expected.

Matt Hayes from FOX Sports says Pollack may not stack up to other defensive ends on paper but the things that set him apart from typical workout warriors can?t be measured with a tape measure or clocked with a stopwatch.

CBS Sportsline?s Clark Judge says Pollack may not be perfect, but he?s definitely a player.

Finally, Peter Dougherty from PackersNews.com says Pollack?s solid work ethic makes him one of the safest picks among defensive ends in this year?s draft.

Here?s more on Pollack from around the Internet:

Buccaneers.com

NFL.com

Orlando Sentinel

Scout.com

Northwest Herald

ESPN

Mercury News

Draft profiles:
NFL.com
CBS Sportsline
ESPN.com
FOX Sports
CNNSI.com

Derrick Johnson may be getting more pub right now as the Browns? possible first-round choice but Shawne Merriman could be Saturday?s dark-horse pick. Drawing comparisons to Jason Taylor and Dwight Freeney for his ability to rush the passer, Merriman would fill the pivotal outside linebacker position in Cleveland?s new 3-4 defense. Equally adept at getting to the quarterback as he is at dropping back into pass coverage, Merriman totaled 85 tackles, 8.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in his All-American senior season at Maryland. Perhaps the best hybrid linebacker/defensive end in the draft, Merriman, a sensational athlete who runs the 40 in 4.6, would certainly be available at three if the Browns held on to that pick but he?d be a much better choice later in the draft should Phil Savage trade down in the first round.

Frank Derry from the Ravens Insider says taking Merriman with the third overall pick would go against Savage?s philosophy of drafting the best available player.

Because of his speed and increased size, Merriman?s stock has risen dramatically, writes the Washington Post?s Mark Maske.

Finally, Merriman told Frank Cooney from CollegeSports.com that he believes he?s the best athlete in the entire draft.

Looking for more commentary on Shawne Merriman? Check out these links:

FOX Sports

NFL.com

ESPN

Buffalo News

Baltimore Sun

Draft profiles:
NFL.com
CBS Sportsline
ESPN.com
FOX Sports
CNNSI.com

Taller (6-5), bigger (229 pounds) and stronger than fellow receiver Braylon Edwards, Mike Williams may just be the best wide out in the draft. In fact, draft ?expert? Mel Kiper lists Williams at the very top of his overall draft board, which means the former USC star could wind up being the biggest steal of the day. Williams isn?t as fast as Edwards and he also may not have the same work ethic, but before the NCAA ruled him ineligible for last year?s draft (after attempting to follow Maurice Clarett as an early entry candidate), Williams looked like the best available receiver. A year off the field apparently caused Williams? stock to slip slightly on most people?s boards but the Browns may very well consider the former Trojan at #3 if Edwards is gone. Pairing the 6-5 Williams with the 6-4 Kellen Winslow would give the Browns plenty of mismatch opportunities in the passing game, with both guys being too big and too strong for most defensive backs to handle one-on-one. If they miss out on Edwards, Mike Williams would represent a nice consolation prize for the Browns.

Michael Bradley from the Sporting News says Williams doesn?t want to be compared to Randy Moss, Terrell Owens or Keyshawn Johnson. He just wants to be Mike Williams.

With his size and lack of blazing speed, several teams wonder if Williams is better suited to be a tight end, writes Clare Farnsworth from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Finally, MSNBC.com?s Michael Ventre says there?s no doubting Williams? talent but his attitude could be a problem for the team that drafts him.

Here?s more on Williams:

FOX Sports

MSNBC

Bucs Insider

GatorSports.com

The Daily Campus

Miami Herald

Draft profiles:
NFL.com
CBS Sportsline
ESPN.com
FOX Sports
CNNSI.com