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So far this off season, Eric Mangini has managed to give fans zero information outside of the few moves that the Browns have done. Looking at the fact that the Browns have signed a few second tier players in LB Bowens, S Elam, DE Mosley, and CB Poteat, TE Royal; Mangini has filled some depth needs at these important defensive positions with some of "his guys."

The loses of S Jones, TE Winslow, and WR Jurevicius are very painful, but in the reality of a full management change, this is no surprise to me and shouldn't be a surprise to all other Browns fans that are out there. THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A NEW FRONT OFFICE IS BROUGHT IN AND IT IS NOT NEW NEWS HERE IN CLEVELAND, SO GET OVER ANY TIES YOU MAY HAVE TO ANY OF THESE PLAYERS. (With the exception of Cribbs, Jamal Lewis, Joe Thomas, Stienbach, D'Qwell Jackson, and Harrison who will all stay with the team)

Now to the matter of the draft. In lieu of all the recent moves that have occurred, here are the Browns current draft options for the #5 pick.
(In no particular order.)

1. BJ RAJI - DT - Boston College - Can you imagine this guy next to Rogers on the line? That would be approx. 700lbs. of meat between the two of them. (And draft expert Mel Kiper agrees with this pick too!)
2. BRIAN ORAKPO - OLB/DE - Texas - High motor guy, has great potential to be a great pass rusher, and reminds me a lot of the Steelers OLB Harrison. He would look great on the opposite side of Wimbley. (And he might help Wimbley turn his own career around)
3. MICHAEL CRABTREE - WR - Texas Tech - Bad foot or not, he is a great talent to pass up if the Rams, Chiefs, or Seahawks pass him up (and they all probably will). Braylon Edwards is probably going to the Giants or Eagles either before or on draft day, so a homerun hitter will be needed at WR, especially with Jurevicius gone.
4. AARON CURRY - OLB - Wake Forest - The chance Curry falling past #3 is highly unlikely, but if he does Mangini would be stupid not to take the guy who many claim to be the best talent, and safest pick in the entire 2009 NFL draft.


Now a look at who the Browns may look at with their two 2nd round picks.
(In no particular order.)

1. CHRIS "BEANIE" WELLS - RB - Ohio State - New mock drafts have Beanie falling out of the first round due to his injury history. If he does, the Browns cannot pass up on a talent like Beanie, injuries or not. Look at the Vikings Peterson, he was injured in college and Beanie is basically the same size. I'm not saying he is the next Adrian Peterson, but both those guys have similar abilities and talent. Beanie has the chance to be an instant impact player on any NFL team that needs a RB.
2. BRIAN ROBISKIE - WR - Ohio State - Bottom line, the Browns have needs at WR, and Robiskie blew away scouts at the combine with his overall performance. A solid #2 receiver immediately, and has the potential to be a solid #1 WR after a couple years. Also, remember this kid has been groomed to be a WR since birth, by his father Terry Robiskie, who is a WR coach in the NFL. At 6'3" and 210lbs. he has the ideal size to be a big play WR!
3. LESEAN MCCOY - RB - Pittsburgh - At 195lbs. he will need to bulk up a little to be a feature back in the NFL, but Jamal Lewis is not getting any younger (and he is definitely not getting faster). A suitable pick to groom into a feature back under Jamal Lewis.
4. MICHAEL JOHNSON - DE - Georgia Tech - If the Browns do not go defense with the #5 pick, then look for them to pick up some front seven potential in the second round.
5. DONALD BROWN - RB - Connecticut - Brown would make a great fit for the Browns with his versatility, but many draft experts expect him to move into the first round ahead of Beanie and go to the Cardinals at #31.
6. JAMES LAURINAITIUS - ILB - Ohio State - Many draft experts have him falling out of the first round too, and if the Patriots pass on him early in the second round, he is an ideal Mangini guy who puts the team first and will do anything to win games, which is exactly what the Browns need.

I know that these player picks will change the closer we get to the draft, and when that happens I will give another update, approx. a week or two before the draft. See you in about a month with the next update.