NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock has not quite figured out whom the Browns will select with the sixth overall pick when the draft begins one week from Thursday, but he thinks he knows the team's priorities.
Mayock said he believes the Browns will select Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green if he's available at No. 6. If Green is gone, he thinks they'll choose between LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson and North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn, with Peterson being the preferred prospect.
''When you start looking at the matrix of things that could happen with that pick, inside that building, [Browns coach] Pat Shurmur and all his guys have to kind of prioritize where they want to be,'' Mayock said Wednesday during a national conference call. ''With the young quarterback, [Colt McCoy], and the lack of an explosive receiver, I kind of feel like if A.J. Green were there, he'd be the guy.
''After that, do you feel more comfortable with Patrick Peterson or Robert Quinn? You'd probably rather take the defensive end from an impact perspective 'cause you can throw away from a corner, but you probably believe Patrick Peterson is a better football player. So, to me, it would kind of be A.J. Green, and then Patrick Peterson and then Robert Quinn as a matrix.''
Some analysts, including ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Sports Illustrated's Peter King, have predicted that the Browns will choose Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones over Peterson and Quinn if Green isn't available. Mayock, though, isn't convinced.
''If it's me, I'm taking Patrick Peterson,'' Mayock said. ''I think he's a better football player [than Jones]. Having said that, I think Julio Jones fits what Pat Shurmur is gonna do. He's a West Coast wide receiver that's tough and physical and will block. He's everything they want in that offense, but I think Patrick Peterson is a better football player with more upside.''
Conducting a separate conference call Wednesday, Kiper stuck with Jones.
''[I] feel good [about my prediction] based on where [Jones is] projected and what they need,'' Kiper said. ''[His] inconsistency catching the ball, he had some drops, bothers me a little bit at [No. 6], but they need [a wide receiver]. If A.J. Green's gone, they need a player like that, that at least gives you a tremendous physical presence [and can be a] great blocker. Durability is a concern. [Jones] did have some injuries, but he's a talented kid.''
Of course, most analysts frequently change their predictions as the draft approaches. So it's not surprising that Kiper also made a case for Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley to become the Browns' top pick.
''Fairley's tough to pass up,'' Kiper said. . . . ''Fairley outproduced [Alabama defensive tackle Marcell] Dareus. Fairley had more sacks and more tackles for loss in one year than Dareus did in two years, so Fairley's got to be at least in the discussion at [No.] 6.''
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