Free Agency Shaping the Draft
Byron Lambert, Rosterwatch.com

Photo by Chargers.com

** Updated – 3/27 after the Jason Campbell addition

6. Cleveland Browns Update Draft Needs- CB, WR, DT/DE, OLB, QB, TE

Add- Paul Kruger OLB, Desmond Bryant DL, Quentin Grove LB, Chris Ogbonnaya RB (resigned), Kellen Davis TE, Gary Barnidge TE, Jason Campbell QB

Loss- Sheldon Brown CB, Ben Watson TE, Mohamed Massaquoi WR, Josh Cribbs WR, Kaluka Maiava LB, Scott Fujita LB

Change: The defensive additions in free agency have put the Browns in the enviable position of being able to draft the best-available player. WR is an increasing priority. TE is no longer a top priority in the draft, especially if the team continues to sniff around free-agent TE Fred Davis.

Notes:
The addition of Jason Campbell makes the selection of Geno Smith unlikely. QB competition that fits the scheme is in place. It could be time to help the quarterbacks and give them another weapon. Meaning the pick could be the most exciting player in the draft, electrifying WR Cordarrelle Patterson. There is still a reasonable chance the team determines they have enough offense—for now—and decide to load up in the defensive front-seven. They could stack the defensive line with a talented DT/DE such as Star Lotulelei or Sharrif Floyd, or they could opt for another pass rusher such as Dion Jordan or Jarvis Jones that they can comfortably utilize as a specialist early in their career. Cornerback is the sleeper in the first round. The Browns desperately need a young mate opposite Joe Haden.

The Pick:
Overall, this team is young and talented from top to bottom. The only glaring need is CB. Like many other teams at the top of the NFL Draft, management concludes that CB is deep this year so they can wait for better value to fill that hole. Prudently, the organization feels the same about the WR position and decide they have enough offense for now to pass on Patterson in first. Then, the most fascinating addition, OLB Dion Jordan, is probably off of the board. That leaves the new front office ready to bolster the ever-important defensive front seven. The choice is between Star Lotulelei and Sharrif Floyd, whichever is available. Since I currently have Loutlelei to Philly, we’ll send Floyd to Cleveland.