Fantastic stuff here from tannofsteel84 with the Cleveland Browns' pick at #7. Due to us giving the 'Skins a mulligan at #5, Jimmy Clausen was available once more for a team looking to upgrade their long-term health at the quarterback position. The Browns certainly would qualify. Nice research and writeup from one of BTSC's longtime stalwarts. Next up? The hapless Raiders, represented by carolinaeasy. - Michael Bean (Blitz) -
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|
Year |
Draft Order |
Player Selected | Position | College |
| 1999 |
#1 | Tim Couch | QB | Kentucky |
| 2000 |
#1 | Courtney Brown | DE | Penn State |
| 2001 | #3 | Gerrard Warren | DT | Florida |
| 2002 | #16 | William Green | RB | Boston College |
| 2003 | #21 | Jeff Faine | C | Notre Dame |
| 2004 | #6 | Kellen Winslow Jr. | TE | Miami (Florida) |
| 2005 | #3 | Braylon Edwards | WR | Michigan |
| 2006 | #13 | Kamerion Wimbley | LB | Florida State |
| 2007 | #3 | Joe Thomas | OT | Wisconsin |
| 2007 | #22 | Brady Quinn | QB | Notre Dame |
| 2008 |
NO PICK | ------ | ------ | ------ |
| 2009 | #21 | Alex Mack | C | California |
This tells the story right here. The answer to the question, why has the Cleveland Browns been so bad since they have returned to the NFL? Look at these first round picks. There are actually some decent ones but only three, Joe Thomas, Alex Mack, and Kamerion Wimbley are still with the team. This is a recipe for disaster. They have only drafted outside the top 20 two and last year they traded down to get there. So in mocking this pick there is a crucial question I had to ask myself. Who will be pulling the trigger on draft day. Eric 'I'm not as smart as originally perceived' Mangini or Mike ' I'm still bitter about Super Bowl XL' Holmgren. I think it safe to say that Eric has taken the stance he is willing to do anything to keep his job. When you are rumored to be on the chopping block after one year on the job and your team actually finished strong (whether those rumors were valid or not) you don't have much leveraged to dictate who the team will draft. Plus there are no trades in this mock. :) The hiring of Holmgren is a clear sign in a change of mentality for the Browns.
Although I wouldn't be surprised to see them try to trade down this year again. I thought it would be appropriate to look at how Holmgren drafted with the Seahawks.
|
Year |
Draft Order |
Player Selected | Position | College |
| 1999 |
#22 | Lamar King |
DE | Saginaw Valley State |
| 2000 |
#19 |
Shaun Alexander |
RB | Alabama |
| 2000 | #22 | Chris McIntosh |
OT | Wisconsin |
| 2001 | #9 |
Koren Robinson |
WR | Florida State |
| 2001 | #17 | Steve Hutchison |
G | Michigan |
| 2002 | #28 |
Jerramy Stevens |
TE | Washington |
| 2003 | #11 |
Marcus Trufant |
CB | Washington State |
| 2004 | #23 |
Marcus Tubbs |
DT | Texas |
| 2005 | #26 |
Chris Spencer |
C | Ole Miss |
| 2006 | #31 |
Kelly Jennings |
CB | Miami (Florida) |
| 2007 |
NO PICK | ------ | ------ | ------ |
| 2008 | #28 |
Lawrence Jackson |
DE | Southern Cal |
As you can see here Holmgren has had much better success in the draft. At least five are still on the team and players like Shaun Alexander and Steve Hutchinson have had many pro bowl moments on their careers. The Browns need help every where. What I think is interesting is that Holmgren seems to like the Cornerback position as he has drafted two in the first round in his tenure with the Seahawks. So this pick should be easy right?
With the #7 pick, the Cleveland Browns select Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
