The Cleveland Browns, 5-11 in 2010 and 14-34 over the last three seasons, must obviously address numerous weaknesses during April's NFL draft.
The defensive line is certainly one of the most glaring areas of need. Last season, the Browns' performance up front was erratic, at best. Mere statistical rankings -- the Browns were tied for 19th in the 32-team NFL in yards allowed per play (5.4); 12th in yards allowed per rushing play (4.1); tied for 25th in quarterback sacks (29) -- don't indicate how short the Browns are in quality defensive linemen.
The mediocrity along the line is further complicated by two other factors: (1) the Browns have released aging defensive linemen Shaun Rogers and Kenyon Coleman; (2) the Browns will almost certainly switch from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense.
The question, then, is not whether the Browns need to bolster their defensive line. The questions are (1) should they begin to do so by using their first draft pick, the sixth selection overall, to select a defensive lineman? And, (2), if so, what player should they pick, if still available at No. 6?
Analysts believe there are a number of quality defensive linemen in this year's draft.
Yes, we know that one or two of the players mentioned below are likely to be off the board once the Browns are on the clock. But, if the Browns do use the pick for a defensive lineman, for fun's sake, let's pretend all six of the players we cite are available at the Browns' No. 6 overall slot. Then, which player would you want the Browns to take?
Da'Quan Bowers, end, Clemson
Marcell Dareus, end/tackle, Alabama.
Nick Fairley, end/tackle, Auburn.
Cameron Jordan, end/tackle, California.
Robert Quinn, end, North Carolina.
Aldon Smith, end, Missouri.
I started to look at size, but something else jumped out at me. The Browns have a young line. R-1 year, but so do the Packers. The second is only the Browns call their players DL, without the destination of DT or DE. This might be more of an identity problem with the Browns.
ReplyDelete# Name Pos. Wt. Age Exp. College Team
74 Quaye, Ko DL 6-1 307 23 R South Dakota Browns
70 Sanford, Brian DL 6-2 280 23 R Temple Browns
71 Rubin, Ahtyba DL 6-2 330 24 3 Iowa State Browns
91 Schaefering, Brian DL 6-4 295 27 1 Lindenwood Browns
67 Robinson, Derreck DE 6-4 295 28 4 Iowa Browns
62 Adams, Titus DL 6-4 305 28 1 Nebraska Browns
94 Ivey, Travis DL 6-4 325 24 R Maryland Browns
98 Smith, Robaire DL 6-5 310 33 11 Michigan State Browns
97 Mitchell, Jayme DE 6-6 285 26 5 Mississippi Browns
77 Jenkins, Cullen DE 6-2 305 30 7 Central Michigan Packers
79 Pickett, Ryan DE 6-2 340 31 10 Ohio State Packers
95 Green, Howard DE 6-2 340 32 6 Louisiana State Packers
94 Wynn, Jarius DE 6-3 285 24 2 Georgia Packers
98 Wilson, C.J. DE 6-3 290 23 R East Carolina Packers
96 Neal, Mike DE 6-3 294 23 R Purdue Packers
68 Ross, Jay DT 6-3 302 23 R East Carolina Packers
91 Harrell, Justin DE 6-4 315 27 4 Tennessee Packers
96 Hood, Ziggy DE 6-3 300 24 3 Missouri Steelers
93 Eason, Nick DE 6-3 305 30 9 Clemson Steelers
69 McLendon, Steve DT 6-4 280 25 2 Troy Steelers
99 Keisel, Brett DE 6-5 285 32 10 Brigham Young Steelers
91 Smith, Aaron DE 6-5 298 34 13 Northern Colorado Steelers
77 Harris, Ra'Shon DE 6-5 300 24 2 Oregon Steelers
Dec 9, 2004 ... Rumsfeld: "you go to war with the Army you have. They're not the Army you might want or wish to have at a later time."
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