CLEVELAND TEAMS

Once thought to be a possible top-10 pick, James Laurinaitis has seen his stock fall a bit leading up to the 2009 NFL draft. Anthony Stalter doesn’t have him going in the first round, so there’s a chance that Laurinaitis might fall to the Browns in the second round. Neither does Mel Kiper.

Todd McShay has Laurinaitis ranked as the 32nd best player in the draft, and he has him going to the Rams in the second round, just ahead of the Browns pick in that round.

I think he will be a very solid pro player. He won’t dominate, but he’ll excel if he’s part of a good defense. I hate the thought of him going to the Steelers. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots snag him.

The opinions on Brian Robiskie vary widely going into the 2009 NFL draft. In his mock draft published today, Tony Grossi has Robiskie going to the Indianapolis Colts in the first round.

27. Indianapolis: Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State

Comment: The Colts always consider Peyton Manning first.

Robiskie would be a good fit with Anthony Gonzalez in Indy, but this might be a reach. In their rankings of the top 100 players in the 2009 NFL Draft, The National Football Post isn’t that impressed.

86. WR Brian Robiskie, Ohio State

I don’t know what all the hype is about. Best-case scenario, Robiskie is a No. 2 receiver with little upside.

That seems overly harsh. I saw Robiskie make some incredible catches during his career at Ohio State. He was never a dominant receiver, but he can be a clutch receiver who makes the big catch.

Todd McShay doesn’t have Robiskie going until the third round (pick #66) to the St. Louis Rams.

In his latest mock draft on ESPN.com, Todd McShay has the Browns taking defensive tackle B.J. Raji.

5. Cleveland Browns (4-12): B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
Top three needs: OLB, WR, CB
Raji is the best player on the board at this point and would provide the Browns with a stout nose tackle in their 3-4 defense. He has the size and strength to anchor against double-teams in the running game and the burst and quickness to collapse the pocket and get to the quarterback as a pass-rusher.

McShay has Aaron Curry going #3, so the Browns won’t be faced with the choice between Curry and Raji under McShay’s scenario. Either player would be a great addition for the Browns if they stay at #5. I’d love to see them trade down and nab Rey Maualuga, but that probably won’t happen unless Mark Sanchez drops to them.