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We're now on to the sixth pick in the BTB Community Mock Draft, the Cleveland Browns. Distraught over being the first NFL franchise to be sued by a PSL holder, Cleveland has turned over their front office duties to BlueEyedDevil. Cam Newton's selection sent some shockwaves through the BTB Community, even though there are numerous reports that he stands to get taken with the top pick come the last weekend of April. Cleveland has been itching to make this pick, so let's go down to the podium.
Draft Pick #: 6
Team Name: Cleveland Browns
GM: BlueEyedDevil
Selection: (DE) Robert Quinn, North Carolina
Why The Pick:
This really is a catbird seat situation that Cleveland finds itself in. The two players that would upgrade their team the most in the entire draft are available to them. They must choose between Robert Quinn and Julio Jones; an embarrassment of riches.
After the beating of watching a decade of turnstile at QB of Tim Couch, Jeff Garcia, Charlie Frye, Derrick Anderson, and Brady Quinn, the Browns fans finally believe they have a quarterback in Colt McCoy that won't disappoint them every Sunday. In fact, the small Texan has even managed to convince some fans that this team might start winning games! McCoy sits behind one of the better O-lines in the NFL and has found a running back in Peyton Hillis who can help him shoulder the offensive load. The only problem is that when McCoy drops back he has a "who's who" list of "who's that?" to throw to. Adding Julio Jones who has blistering speed (sub 4.4 40-time), great hands, and precise route running skill makes this team instantly better and an offense that can compete in the NFL.
Yet, the Browns decide against this move. One reason is because of the high bust rate for wide receivers taken in the first round, the highest of any position. The second reason is that veteran receivers are somewhat of a commodity these days. Santonio Holes was acquired for a 5th round pick, Patrick Crayton for a 7th, Brandon Marshall for two 2nds. Plus, there are many WRs available in free agency without having to spend a draft pick at all from Vincent Jackson to Terrell Owens, to Ochicinco. Finally, Cleveland can find WRs all along the draft board and with a high 2nd rounder they're almost guaranteed to have a shot at Titus Young and Jon Baldwin the next time they step to the podium. One position that is extremely difficult to find in free agency or by trade is a pass rusher. Great pass rushers are rare in the NFL and are typically locked up by the teams that draft them for their entire careers.
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Why The Pick(cont.) The pass rush has become the most important element of a good modern-day defense. While its secondary is sufficient, Cleveland has no one that can rush the passer. Strong-side OLB Matt Roth only notched 3.5 sacks while weak-side "rush" linebacker is Dallas' own Scott Fujita who managed only 3.5 sacks himself. With such poor performances it's no wonder why Cleveland is switching to a 4-3 alignment. Only one problem, this team doesn't have defensive ends. The leading candidates for the DE positions are the same guys that failed to bring pressure from the OLB spots last year. Something has to change.
That change is Robert Quinn, a rare pass rushing talent that it can build its defense around. Quinn possesses an arsenal of pass rush abilities. He can sprint around the corner with lightning speed, fake inside then re-direct outside to get to the QB untouched, and has the savvy to play head-games on inside stunts. Against the run he's keep on slipping blocks and making tackles. His weakness is that because he's so good at getting past O-linemen he needs to learn better how to get into and control them in the run game to maintain the line of scrimmage, but this will come easy with NFL caliber coaching.
A fortunate mixture of a high draft pick, DE need, and a draft deep and talented in D-linemen come together to bring a new start to Cleveland in Robert Quinn. A star that won't be leaving them for Miami anytime soon.
(AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
HIGH PRIORITY TEAM NEEDS (lower number indicates higher priority) according to Drafttek.com:
Threat Level Red (priority 1-2): 4-3 Defensive End, 4-3 Outside LB, 4-3 Middle LB,
Threat Level Orange (priority 3-4): Feature Wide Receiver, Free Safety, Cornerback, 4-3 Defensive End, Possession Receiver, Slot Receiver
Threat Level Yellow (priority 5-6): Right Tackle, Quarterback, Feature Running Back, Guard, Tight End, Left Tackle
Threat Level Green (priority 9): Strong Safety
Drafttek.com ranked #9 overall, #3 at the position
Wes Bunting, National Football Post: #5 overall, #1 at the position
Impression: Simply put was the best pass-rushing defensive end I saw in the country in 2009. Needs to check out from a character standpoint, but all the tools are there for him to mature into one the best pass rushers to come out of this class and an impact guy off the edge if he can put 2010 behind him and develop.
CBSSports.com ranked #6 overall, #2 at the position
Scout.com ranked #8 overall, #2 at the position
Mike Mayock ranked #6 overall, #1 at the position
He's a one-year wonder because of his NCAA suspension. I think from an edge-rush perspective, he might be the best guy in the draft.
Explosion: Perhaps his best asset. Can explode off the snap and fly by offensive tackles. Opponents have to gameplan around his burst off the edge. Good use of hands to pop the offensive lineman and shed the block. Arrives with a bang as a tackler. Forced eight fumbles in only two seasons.
Strength: Improving in this area and has the frame to handle an additional 10-15 pounds of muscle without a significant loss in quickness or speed. Good, not great strength at the point of attack. Lacks the sand in his pants to hold up against the run, though he does wrench himself free when he has space to operate. Good strength to drag down the ballcarrier.
Tackling: Good lateral agility and balance to break down in space and make the open-field tackle. Generally wraps up, though he'll go for the strip and miss tackles. Only average instincts but gets to the football quickly when he locates it.
Robert Quinn vs Anthony Castonzo
The schedule for the remaining picks is pushed back, due to the delay in getting some of the posts up. You will always have 24 hours to get your pick in before BTB storms your front office.
| Draft Pick | Team | 2010 Record | Assigned GM | Team Needs | Selection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carolina | (2-14) | Alexcomestokill | 4-3 DT, 4-3 DE, WR1, WR2, WR3, CB | AJ Green |
| 2 | Denver | (4-12) | Sean N | 4-3 DT, 4-3 DE, FS, SS, 4-3 OLB, 4-3 ILB, TE, ROT | Nick Fairley |
| 3 | Buffalo | (4-12) | BTB | Everything except RB and WR, Kitchen Sink | Marcel Dareus |
| 4 | Cincinatti | (4-12) | staubachfan | QB, 4-3 DT, WR, 4-3 DE, FS, 4-3 MLB, OG, OC | Patrick Peterson |
| 5 | Arizona | (5-11) | howboutdemcowboyz | QB, 3-4 OLB, CB, OG, LOT | Cam Newton |
| 6 | Cleveland | (5-11) | BlueEyedDevil | 4-3 DE, 4-3 OLB, 4-3 MLB, WR, FS, CB | Robert Quinn |