Browns' Free Agent Situation To Shape Draft Strategy?

Entering the off season, the Browns had 22 free unsigned free agents.  That's almost half of the 53 man roster. The Browns cut DT Shawn Rogers, DE Kenyon Coleman, LB David Bowens, LB Eric Barton, TE Robert Royal, and OT John St. Clair.  Prior to the expiration of the CBA, the Browns re-signed QB Seneca Wallace and MLB D'Qwell Jackson.  They later gave 2nd round tenders to CB Eric Wright and TE Evan Moore. The legitimacy of those tenders is unknown until a new CBA is reached.  Kicker Phil Dawson was franchised. These five players were obviously made a priority by the team, but what can we glean from the players they did not re-sign or tender?  A look at the Browns remaining free agents and the depth chart may give us some insight into the Browns' 2011 draft strategy.

Let's begin at Running Back:
Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty are the only RB's under contract. Mike Bell, Lawrence Vickers, and Clifton Smith are still free agents.  Whether the team will utilize a fullback is still unknown, but it appears they will let these three players walk to make room for more complimentary runners.  This strongly indicates they will draft a RB in April.  As more proof of this, the team has unofficially scheduled visits with the following RB prospects: Shane Vereen of Cal; DeMarco Murray of Oklahoma; and Noel Devine of West Virginia. They are all generally smaller backs with solid stats in big programs.

Wide Receiver:
Chansi Stuckey and Syndric Steptoe are both free agents.  That leaves Mohamed Massaquoi, Josh Cribbs, Brian Robiskie, and Carlton Mitchell on the roster.  Hmmm, perhaps two open slots here - one for a rookie and one for a veteran?  That would be nice.  Stuckey and Steptoe were ineffective, to say the least, during their time in Cleveland.  Upgrades in those two slots should not be hard to come by. Outside of the scouting interest in A.J. Green and Julio Jones, the only individual team visits unofficially schedule are for WR's Greg Salas of Hawaii and Edmond Gates of Abilene Christian.

Offensive Line:
Floyd "pork chop" Womack is the only free agent on the line.  He played at RG and RT all year.  He was the most effective RT all season long and Peyton Hillis enjoyed his best games with Womack in the lineup.  One would have to think the team will attempt to re-sign him, though he apparently did not merit the attention shown Wallace, Jackson, Wright, and Moore.  If he is not re-signed, the team must consider drafting a run blocking guard or tackle prospect. This team cannot depend on Tony Pashos again.  The team has unofficial visits scheduled with OT Gabe Carimi of Wisconsin, OT Tyron Smith of USC, OT James Brewer of Indiana, OG John Moffitt of Wisconsin, and OG Will Rackley of Lehigh. 

Defensive End and Outside Linebacker:
Since the team is going to a 4-3 defense, we'll include the former 3-4 outside linebackers in this category.  Matt Roth, Marcus Bernard, Chris Gocong, Jayme Mitchell, Jason Trusnik, and Robaire Smith are all free agents. Kenyon Coleman and David Bowens were cut. There was some hope that guys like Roth or Bernard could stick as situational pass-rushing DE's in a 4-3, but if they are not-resigned, there are exactly NO DE's on the roster.  Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers and Miami's Allen Bailey are the only two prospects known to be lined up for a team visit.  Perhaps the scouts are relying on the game tape, combine, and pro day workouts, but to not be meeting with more guys at this position is questionable.  Perhaps the team doesn't want to tip their hand too much at which DE's they like. 

Defensive Tackle:
Let's see....they have Athyba Rubin and......um.  Yeah, that's it.  So it looks like they need some more bodies here too.  They are meeting Nick Fairley of Auburn, Marcell Dareus of Alabama, Phil Taylor of Baylor, and Andrew Soucy of Eastern Kentucky.

Linebackers:
Converted DE's aside, the team only has D'Qwell Jackson and Scott Fujita currently signed.  Bowens and Barton were cut and Roth, Bernard, Gocong, Mitchell, and Trusnick are all free agents.  The team unofficially has visits with OLB Von Miller of Texas A&M, OLB Mason Foster of Washington, and LB Casey Matthews of Oregon. Commonsense dictates they'll either have to re-sign a current free agent or draft someone at linebacker.  They might be able to find a veteran free agent whenever that process is allowed to start, though that is not a safe strategy at this point.

Safety:
Starter Abe Elam is a free agent.  Backup and special teams ace Nick Sorensen is also a free agent. Yep, that just leaves T.J. Ward and Mike Adams at safety.  Safety has not been considered a dire need for the Browns by many to this point, but I don't see how.  They are one injury away from starting Sheldon Brown at Safety. Visits are scheduled for Safety Will Hill of Florida, Chris Conte of Cal, and FS Eric Hagg of Nebraska.  I would bet the Browns will take a chance on a mid to later round safety.  Even if the guy isn't great, you've got a special teams player and more depth.

Cornerback:
Eric Wright, Joe Haden, Sheldon Brown, and Coye Francies are under contract. Brandon McDonald is still a free agent.  It looks like the team is really combing the rookie CB crop as visits are scheduled for Patrick Peterson of LSU, Johnny Patrick of Louisville, Curtis Brown of Texas, Brandon Burton of Utah, Chris Culliver of South Carolina, DeMarcus Van Dyke of Miami (FL), Buster Skrine of Chattanooga, and Chykie Brown of Texas.  There are also rumors that the team is scouting the defensive backs from The Ohio State University recently. 

So the greatest need, just in terms of bodies, is the entire defensive line.  Otherwise, there are holes at linebacker, safety, running back, and the right side of the offensive line.  With all the needs on this team, don't be the least bit surprised if the Browns trade down in the first round to collect more picks.  Between the cuts and free agents, there are too many holes to fill with just 8 picks (1,2,3,4,5,6,6, + compensatory pick at end).  GM Tom Heckert is going to earn his money this April.