Mock Draft 1.0

Here at Orange, Brown, and Down, we see through the hype.  And we don't just follow the pack (Mel Kiper, Jr., Mike Mayock, Todd McShay, etc.).  In formulating our mock draft, we focus on the team's needs, its current roster and free agents, its offensive or defensive scheme, coaching philosophy, and recent draft history in making our picks.  And we don't try to envision trade scenarios - that's impossible.  


This year, there are 8 defensive ends with first round grades and 3 to 4 defensive tackles. Even though up to 12 defensive lineman have first round grades, we don't see 12 teams with enough need at those positions for them all to go in round one. Instead (and lucky for the Browns) some of those first round defensive linemen are going to slip into the top of round 2. This year there are a lot of teams with quarterback needs, but not many premier QB's to meet the demand. Many playoff teams are aging at left tackle, so we envision a run on the top 5 tackles in bottom of round one.


At the beginning of the draft season, defense ruled the top of the player rankings - and in the end, nothing changes.  This is a special defensive class and no overrated QB's are going to change that.  So without further ado.... 

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.

Off Season A Little Off.......

As of the date of this post, there are several mock drafts on the interwebs.  In my opinion, most of the writers doing the drafting have no clue what they are talking about.  Especially in regard to the Cleveland Browns.  Various mocks have the Browns taking one of the top rated defensive ends, but most have them landing wide receiver A.J. Green from the University of Georgia.  Green is a 6'4", 212-pound catching machine who missed part of this past season due to a suspension.