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Now that the majority of free agency signings are done, it is time for the calm before the storm. The storm being the draft. This draft may have many surprises and is it just me, or is the 2nd round just loaded with talent? Anyway, don't be caught off guard if there are more players and pick traded this year than any of the previous years' drafts. There is something in the air, and it feels like the Browns are going to be right in the middle of some draft day moves. Whether it is trading Braylon, DA, or trading down from #5, we will not know until the last Saturday in April.

What we do know is that the Browns still have many position issues that free agency has not filled. The following is a breakdown of positions and a some comments about each.

Offense

QB - Quinn vs. Anderson (again) - Mangini has already stated that there will be a QB competition, but a 3rd stringer is still needed, and never rule out a QB trade with Mangini at the helm.
RB - Jamal Lewis may see his last year as a starter. Jerome Harrison showed signs of flash last season, but is not starter material yet. Could use a young RB in the draft and this season would be ideal to groom him into a feature back if Harrison is not starter caliber.
FB - Vickers - No problems here because Vickers is a quality lead blocker.
WR - THE BIGGEST AREA OF QUESTION ON THE TEAM. Braylon is possibly going to get shipped out by or during the draft (thinking Philly). The Browns need to just assume the worst with the Stallworth debacle and move on. Cribbs should be getting more passes thrown his way. Definitely, an huge need for depth here. Crabtree at #5 might be the best solution whether Braylon stays or goes. Robiskie in round 2 would be a good choice too.
TE - Royal, Heiden, and Rucker - No one outside of Buffalo knows much about Royal. Heiden has ALWAYS been solid as long as he can recover from his injury. Rucker may have a breakout year if Heiden is on the mend, he may surprise a lot of people.
LT - Joe Thomas - 2 years in the league, 2 Pro Bowls. 'Nuf said.
LG - Eric Steinbach - Solid. He and Thomas probably make up one of the strongest left sides of any line in the NFL
C - Fraley - Good player, but Mangini may draft a center in the late rounds.
RG/RT - With Hadnot and the signing of St. Clair and Womack, it looks like the right side of the line will be stronger than last year.

Overall with the exception of the WR issues, this side of the ball is looking solid. Mangini just needs major depth at WR, and he needs to figure out who the QB is.

Defense

D-Line - Rogers, Robaire Smith, Shaun Smith, and Corey Williams - These guys make a huge solid front line with depth for the 3-4 scheme. Hopefully, they will all play better as a unit after a year playing together.
OLB - Wimbley, Bowens, Alex Hall - Wimbley needs some help in the pass rush, and Orakpo would like nice on the other side of him, but Alex Hall does have a lot of promise for a 7th round pick last year.
ILB - Jackson and Barton - With the signing of Barton, the Browns will be much better in the inside. Jackson is just a tackling machine that the NFL pays no attention to, and should be a Pro Bowler.
CB - This position has the least amount of depth on the defense. Wright is a ball hawk and is always around the ball whether he's picking it off or scooping a fumble up off the ground. McDonald played well in the last couple of games last season, but still got burned A LOT during the season. Ivy is just a nickel back at most. Mangini will probably be picking up a DB or 2 in the draft. Bodden would have been a good fit back in Cleveland, but the Pats got him and he will probably be a stud up there. Too bad...
S - The loss of Sean Jones hurts. Pool and Adams played will together last season while Jones was hurt, but Mangini will probably look to bring in a young guy in the later rounds.

The defensive has been upgraded, granted it is with a few older veterans, but they can still play another few years, which is plenty of time to get younger LBs in the next few drafts. Mangini really needs another DB playmaker (ideally a safety in the mold of a Bob Sanders or Polamalu) and a stronger pass rush and the defense will win some games.

Special Teams - kicker and punter are solid, and the return teams are one of the leagues best. No big changes here at all.

Final draft predictions in a few more weeks....chaio until then!