| Mel Kiper Jt. |
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. is convinced the Browns will use the sixth overall pick to select one of three players.
In Kiper's first mock draft of the year, he predicted the Browns will select University of Georgia junior wide receiver A.J. Green. But in a national conference call Wednesday, Kiper explained why he believes Clemson University junior defensive end Da'Quan Bowers and University of North Carolina junior defensive end Robert Quinn are also possibilities to end up with the Browns in April's draft.
''I think Quinn or Green would be the guys, and if Bowers happened to slide that far, that's a no-brainer,'' Kiper said. ''You'd take Bowers, but Bowers figures to go earlier.
''I think it's pretty easy to project the Cleveland Browns right now. In terms of what they need and the players that will be there, A.J. Green and Robert Quinn would be the two most viable candidates.''
Kiper labeled the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Bowers as ''the best pure pass rusher on the board'' and predicted the Cincinnati Bengals will take him at No. 4. According to Kiper's projections, Green and Quinn will be available at No. 6.
Kiper acknowledged some teams might shy away from selecting a wide receiver in the top 10. Still, he said the 6-foot-4, 212-pound Green is worthy. On the other hand, the 6-foot-5, 268-pound Quinn might have been a top-three pick if he had not been forced to sit out this past season for receiving improper benefits from an agent.
''It's not like you're taking [Green] at No. 1 overall or No. 2,'' Kiper said. ''You're getting him at six. I don't see the fear at six. Now if you feel like, 'OK, we've got to get that pass rusher,' Robert Quinn could be a tremendous pass rusher in the NFL. I mean this kid was unbelievable two years ago.''
Quinn, in theory, could help the Browns switch to a 4-3 defense. But would Green be able to thrive in coach Pat Shurmur's West Coast offense?
''Green can play anywhere,'' Kiper said. . . . ''He's an angular kid. He can beat you vertically, good route runner, made some tough catches in traffic and took hits and didn't give up the football. . . . A.J. Green, to me, is the best receiver in this draft for that reason.''
If Kiper is right and the Browns select Green, at least one player will support the decision.
''We need a big-time playmaker,'' Browns tight end Benjamin Watson wrote Wednesday in a chat with fans on ESPN.com. ''We need someone who can help us score points. . . . A.J. is a dynamic player, and I'd welcome him.''
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