Mid March 2nd Round

The Browns have the 36th and 41st picks in this round. With the 36th pick the Browns should take a look at OG/OT Justin Blalock from Texas, QB Drew Stanton from Michigan State, and Joe Staley OT from Central Michigan. It is likely that Stanton and Blalock will be gone however so the best pick would be Staley.

With the 41st pick the Browns should examine RB Michael Bush from Louisville or NT Justin Harrell from Tennessee. If Bush's leg is healed or looks to not be a problem, he should be selected. At this point, since that fact cannot be ascertained with any certainty, the pick should be Harrell.

Staley gives the Browns a player that could step in by midseason for Kevin Shaffer at LT where he has struggled. Staley is a great athlete who was a state qualifying 200m runner in high school and initially a TE who has bulked up into a LT. He has great feet and is continuing to get stronger and better technically.

Harrell gives the Browns additional depth at NT where the aging Ted Washington and unspectacular Shawn Smith are playing. Harrell could step in and start by the end of the season but definitely by next season. Harrell is large and athletic with a great toughness, playing an entire game after tearing his biceps tendon the week before.

Bad News from the Combine

There was some bad news over the weekend for the Browns. Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas, who seemed like a possible steal at the top of the 2nd round for the Browns absolutely dazzled at the Combine with his combination of strongest and fastest CB. This likely pushes him squarely into the middle of the 1st round. Joe Staley, LT, Central Michigan, though limited with a leg injury, might have played himself into the 1st round as well with an impressive showing, making him likely unavailable when the Browns pick.

One good note however was that Daymeion Hughes, CB, Cal, ran poor 40 times in the 4.7 range, likely meaning a drop into the middle of the 2nd round or even the 4th round. Hughes absolutely dominated every WR he was matched up with this season, regardless of how much faster they were than him. He has exceptional ball skills and QBs were very fearful of throwing his way. He seems to me to be a classic example of a guy slipping due to poor times and scouts forgetting what a dominating player he was in college. He would be the steal of the draft if he fell into the 4th round.

Early 2nd round

With the Browns first 2nd rounder I would look at Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas. Though not highly regarded before the season, Houston shut down Dwayne Jarrett, Robert Meachem, Dwayne Bowe, and Earl Bennett when he matched up with them one-on-one. A truly impressive run if you ask me that indicates his ability to raise his level of play in the spotlight and with the . Additionally Houston is a great tackler when supporting the run. If Blalock were selected in the 1st round I would look at Joe Staley, LT, CMU, with this pick. Staley is a former TE with great footwork and quickness against the pass rush, but is lacking the strength to be a great drive blocker.

With the Browns second 2nd rounder I would trade down about ten spots and pick up a mid range 5th rounder in the process. With the newly acquired second rounder I would select Jonathan Harrell, DT, Tennessee. Harrell is a large and powerful force at the point of attack who will be a great replacement for Ted Washington next season and giving him breathers this season. He is even quick enough to play at one of the DE spots on running downs. Harrell is so tough and passionate that he played the entire Florida game with a torn biceps that he injured the week before, going so far as to even attempt arm tackles with his bad arm.

The net effect of the trade was an additional 5th rounder.