I’m no expert, so i’ll run under the assumption that the guys who work for the Browns have drafted players that have the talent to be contributors.
This logic comes from Savage’s draft history with the Browns and the Ravens. If there’s one thing he’s proven, Phil Savage knows how to find playmakers.
So, under that assumption, how did the Browns do last weekend?
Round 1 Pick- traded for Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame in 2007
Well, it ended up being the exact same spot for the Browns. clearly, with Derek Anderson’s success they wouldn’t have had a reason to take a quarterback. But, consider this:
1. had the Browns not drafted quinn last year they wouldn’t have been able to afford to part with Charlie Frye. With Frye still in town, Anderson may have been too distracted to stretch his legs all the way to the pro-bowl.
2. Quinn would never had slipped to 22 in this draft, so had the Browns wanted a QB this year they would have had to trade up or wait til round two. either way the value they got in quinn, who by sitting on the bench will make the NFL minimum this year, they have both value in price and talent.
Round 2 Pick traded for Corey Williams, Defensive Lineman, Green Bay
The Browns would have had to pick a defensive lineman this high no matter what. Williams is done with growing pains and will only have to adjust to the 3-4 instead of adjusting to the NFL.
the “experts” always contest that it is very hard to draft 3-4 defensive lineman
Round 3 Pick traded with starting CB Leigh Bodden for Shaun Rogers, Defensive Lineman, Detroit
Again, the Browns need defensive linemen. No doubt. All the reason above apply. He has star-studded talent, but two problems could emerge.
1. he was a problem in Detroits locker room, but he has never played for a winner
2. in losing your starting CB, either Daven Holly or Brandon McDonald are your third round pick this year. i can live with that, as long as they continue to produce at the level they gave as the backups last year.
Round 4 Picks
Beu Bell, Inside Linebacker, UNLV
Bell will try to fill the void left by Andra Davis’ drop-off. He was one of two players left from Savage’s top 40, which is why they traded up to get him at 104. That means that Savage knows something the rest of the NFL doesnt, which may be true since they concentrated on players they could take with their late round picks.
Martin Rucker, Tight End, Missouri
Rucker will provide more options for Chud when he draws up plays and provides insurance for the oft-injured Kellen Winslow, as he is a similar player. This was a suprise, but the Browns must think highly of him as he was the other player left from their top 40 and they gave up a third rounder in 2009 to take him.
Savage AGAIN traded with Dallas (after doing it twice last year) twice in this round. They gave up their 2008 4 and 5 to move up to play Bell and their 2009 THIRD rounder for Rucker. will Savage actually pick in the Browns regular spot this draft? not at least until the 7th round. They love Dallas.
Round 6 picks
Ahtyba Rubin, Nose Tackle, Iowa State
Rubin solidifies the defensive line by giving the team competition at Nose Tackle
Paul Hubbard, Wide Receiver, Wisconsin
Hubbard likely spells the end for Travis Wilson. He will compete for the final receiver position.
the Browns aquired BOTH these picks through trades. they were picked back-to-back. they used to draft pick aquired from Seattle for Charlie Frye to take Rubin. THEN they traded their 5th round pick in 2009 to the Eagles the pick they originally traded to philadelphia for center hank fraley. So, technically, Hubbard is the first pick taken in the browns natural slot, but the browns still had to make a trade to take him.
Round 7 Pick
Alex Hall, Outside Linebacker, St. Augustine’s (N.C.)
Hall will compete for a special teams job in his rookie year. By God, there were no trades involved with taking him.
OVERALL GRADE: B+
with the trades included, this was a draft that could push the Browns over the top. unfortunatly, defending AFC North Champion Pittsburgh had a slightly better draft.
Go Browns!
