Browns could face tough choice with first pick: Receiver or defensive line

The Browns could face a difficult decision when they're put on the clock during the first round of the NFL Draft in late April.

Should they use the sixth overall pick to select a wide receiver who could help quarterback Colt McCoy make strides in the West Coast offense? Or should they choose a defensive lineman who could aid the team's expected transition to a 4-3 system?

''You've got to take a look at [Georgia's] A.J. Green, who's the real deal as a top-10 type of receiver, versus what if a [defensive lineman like Alabama's] Marcell Dareus, [Auburn's] Nick Fairley, [North Carolina's] Robert Quinn or [Clemson's] Da'Quan Bowers is out there, all of whom could fit your scheme?'' NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said Thursday during a conference call. ''So that's a tough question, and typically I'm not big on wide receivers in the top 10 because I always think you can kind of drop down and get other guys that fit your scheme.

''However, you've got a young quarterback. You don't have a lot of playmaking wide receivers. You've got a couple pretty good, young wide receivers, but they're not big playmakers. So I think A.J. Green becomes very, very legitimate in that slot, but it depends which one of those defensive players slips through to No. 6.''

If the Browns take a defensive lineman with their first pick, they could target a wide receiver early in the second round (37th overall). Mayock said Pittsburgh's Jon Baldwin, Boise State's Titus Young and Maryland's Torrey Smith would be the ''logical guys.''

''[Baldwin is] an athletic freak,'' Mayock said. ''I think he's probably gonna put on a show at the combine. . . . I also think if you're looking for vertical guys, Titus Young from Boise State could still be there. . . . [He] gets in and out of his breaks, catches everything, reminds me a little bit of [Philadelphia Eagles standout] DeSean Jackson.''

Of course, it wouldn't be inconceivable for the Browns to take another route at No. 6. LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson could be an attractive addition to a secondary that features last year's seventh overall pick, Joe Haden.

''[Peterson has] a little stiffness to him, and ultimately he might be best served as a safety,'' Mayock said. ''I think he can play corner. But down the road a little bit because he's a big, strong, tough guy that can run, I think he might be an all-pro safety.''

''It's a tough comparison with Joe Haden 'cause Haden's a smaller, quicker guy with quicker feet. They're different types of animals. So Patrick Peterson, to me, is certainly a guy that's gonna be considered in the top 10.''

Mayock also said the Browns might be able to find a solid right offensive tackle in the third or fourth round. LSU's Joseph Barksdale and Central Florida's Jah Reid could be prospects to watch there, he said.

Story by Nate Ulrich
Beacon Journal sports writer