Thoughts on the Browns Wide Receiver Need:

The Browns passed on Alabama's Julio Jones in the first round.  They have picks number 37 and 59 tonight in round 2.  They gave up their third round pick to Kansas City to jump from 27 to 21 for Phil Taylor.  Most Browns/AFC North beat writers have identified a pass rushing defensive end and a game breaking wide receiver as the two highest needs for the Browns.  GM Tom Heckert publicly disagreed about the team's dire need for a wide out:

''I heard this conversation every day in Philadelphia about how our wide receivers weren't good enough,'' he said. ''We went to five NFC Championships; obviously we didn't win the Super Bowl, and that's what we are looking for. It's not overrated, but it's not as bleak as people think. We'll see. Trust me, we are not against having other receivers here. The more competition the better, but we do like our guys.''

Doesn't exactly make you think they are taking any wide outs tonight, right?  The Browns had pre-draft visits with wide receivers Edmund Gates (Abilene Christian), Jerrel Jernigan (Troy), and Greg Salas (Hawaii) in addition to A.J. Green and Julio Jones.  The first 3 guys are rated anywhere from 3rd to 5th round talents. Some scouts have Jernigan as high as a late 2nd rounder. 

Since the Browns have not yet addressed defensive end, they likely will spend at least one of their 2nd round picks on that position.  It's tough to project what 2nd round rated receivers they like and would be available at #59.  If they still had a 3rd rounder, I would be more confident they could find a guy they like at WR there - but that's gone now.  Perhaps they will package both 4th round picks in a trade to get back into round 3 tonight if a WR falls that they like.

The other possibility is that the team will seek out a veteran wide receiver with experience in a west coast offense.  There are currently no receivers on the roster with that experience.  During transitions to new offensive or defensive schemes, new coaches often bring in some veterans familiar with the system to help teach the younger guys.  That is a very logical possibility for the Browns new offense. 

Currently, the Browns have Massiquoa, Robiskie, Carlton Mitchell, and Josh Cribbs as likely contributors  Stuckey's contract is up and he is likely not being brought back (remember the Jets game?)  There are some young guys on the depth chart, like Jordan Norwood, but are still unknown at this point.  The Browns have room on the roster for 2 more wide outs.  We predict they'll bring in at least one veteran and one rookie to round out the WR corps.