The NFL Draft is almost upon us. It seems more that likely that the Browns will select a defensive lineman or linebacker with the 12th pick in the first round. While a few of the top players in those positions will be gone by the time the Browns are up, they still will be able to get a quality lineman or linebacker by the time they are on the clock. Here’s a look at the possible players who could be available for the Browns at the 12 spot:
DE/LB Kamerion Wimbley, FSU – A defensive end in college, Wimbley could be projected as an outside linebacker in the 3-4 for Romeo and the Browns. At 6’3″, 248, he has great speed and would provide the pass-rushing skills that the Browns have lacked over the years. He most likely would not start right away but would benefit greatly from playing behind and learning from Willie McGinest. He played in only 11 games last season due to injury but still recorded 7.5 sacks as a senior.
LB Chad Greenway, Iowa – He is your typical farm boy. Chad recorded 156 tackles in 2005 and was named first-team All-Big Ten his junior and senior seasons. He became a starter his sophomore season and was the leader of the Hawkeye defense ever since.
OLB Ernie Sims, FSU – As a sophomore, earned second-team all ACC honors. He’s undersized at 5’11” but has decent speed on the outside. Character may be an issue with him as he was arrested for domestic battery last year.
DT Broderick Bunkley, FSU – Catching a theme? Yes, the Seminoles had some pretty darn good talent in their front seven. Bunkley, after an injury-riddled first three season at FSU, broke out in 2005, finishing with 66 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. A 300-pound nose tackle, he is projected to be selected as early as pick 9 so he may not fall to the Browns.
DT Halati Ngata, Oregon – At 6’4″, 338, Ngata is a load. He is your proto-typical nose tackle and was an All-American his senior season. Like Bunkley, Ngata is in that pick number 9 or 10 range so the Browns would be thrilled if one of those two were to drop to the Browns’ spot.
Considering the Browns probably will not trade up (and rightfully so, they don’t want to spend more money on a top 10 pick), I would have to first look at Ngata and Bunkley. It’s very possible neither of them will be available but if one were to fall…Bingo! Otherwise, I’d have to go with Wimbley with the 12th pick. He’d fit in well with the Browns as an outside pass-rusher.
