FSH: ON THE TICKER

April 4th, 2009 9:07pm PST

21 DAYS TO THE NFL DRAFT

NFL Draft Preview:
On The Ticker

On the Board: Cleveland Browns....
The Cleveland Browns like many teams on the board early in this year's draft have many needs to address, but no other will be more pressing than their current deficiencies at the wide receiver position. The team has already lost its’ starting tight end and two receivers from last year's squad (although Jurevicius missed all of 2008).

Sitting at number five on the draft board, the Browns will have a legitimate shot at taking one of the top two draft prospects at the receiver position with possibly Michael Crabtree or Missouri's Jeremy Maclin. It's possible that both could be available, but definitely one should be looming when Cleveland is on the clock. If Crabtree is there, touted as a supreme talent, the Browns may not be able to pass this pick up on principle alone.

If Crabtree is taken (not likely if the Broncos make a move with Seattle for Sanchez), the team is going to have to take a long look and consider Maclin with their number five pick. The team ranked at the bottom in passing (31st) and they lost their second leading receiver from last year in the offseason. With two young strong arms competing at the quarterback position, the team has to add some playmakers on the outside. Edwards is still in town at the moment, but beyond that the team does not have any proven talent and may need to start stocking the cupboards.

(Photo by L.G. Patterson/AP)

Some think Maclin could slide because of the number of talented wideouts in this year's draft like Percy Harvin, Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Hakeem Nicks all of which could be first round considerations. The Browns will have a tough time passing over Maclin due to his great acceleration and nice hands. Maclin is being defined as a game-breaker and with the Browns offense only averaging 14.5-points per game, the team could not do worse with this selection. While Crabtree seems like the more likely, Maclin could be a choice that makes sense as well.

Defense is always a consideration when you finish at the bottom of the barrel in defense and at number five in the draft, the Browns will have several looks to ponder. Taking into consideration some possible major shake-ups in the draft and what some mock drafts sites are seeing, the Browns could be eying University of Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo. Orakpo would make sense as a talented pass rusher, but if things do get shaken up and linebacker Aaron Curry should happen to fall in their lap, he's considered a no-brainer.

I happen to believe in the unexpected on draft day, but I don't see Curry getting this far and even if the Broncos move up the draft, they will likely do so to grab Sanchez. Crabtree or Maclin figure to be a Brown come draft day.


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