Pro Football Draft Network | 2012 Pro Football Draft Analysis

1^st Round (#21) DT Phil Taylor, Baylor

2nd Round (#37) DE Jabaal Sheard, Pittsburgh

2nd Round (#59) WR Greg Little, North Carolina

4^th Round (#102) TE Jordan Cameron, USC

4th Round (#124) FB Owen Marecic, Stanford

5^th Round (#137) CB Buster Skrine, Tennessee-Chattanooga

5^th Round (#150) OT Jason Pinkston, Pittsburgh

7^th Round (#248) S Eric Hagg, Nebraska

Analysis of Notable Selections:

Phil Taylor: Cleveland is converting their defense into a 4-3 scheme.  The team desperately needs more defensive linemen.  Taylor has the potential to be a quality run-stuffing defensive tackle.  His size and power could force many teams to double-team him.  Cleveland gave-up 4.1 yards per carry to opposing runners last season. They have to improve at stopping the run.  However, there is considerable risk with the Taylor selection.  Taylor has had conditioning issues in the past.  He is not a student of the game.  In addition, Taylor only had one very strong season (his last) at Baylor after being kicked out of Penn State.  Phil Taylor has underachiever potential.  Cleveland passed on Cameron Jordan who can play defensive end and tackle.

Jabaal Sheard: The Browns continue to try to fortify their roster with defensive linemen suited for the 4-3.  Sheard was taken a bit high, but six defensive ends were already selected.  There was not a big selection of quality defensive ends left. Cleveland understandably passed on Da’Quan Bowers because of his surgically repaired knee.  The Browns were burned when they selected Montario Hardesty in the 2^nd round of last year’s draft.  Hardesty was chosen despite having a history of knee injuries.  He subsequently was lost for the season with another knee injury.  Bowers is better than Sheard, but the Browns could not take a chance with another knee fiasco.  Sheard plays hard and is a decent pass rusher.  He will have to play the run better and may be vulnerable in this area early on.

Greg Little: Colt McCoy gets some help for the team’s very average wide receiver group.  Little is a big possession receiver with excellent hands.  He still has a lot to learn about playing the position after being suspended last season for his involvement with an agent.  PFDN preferred Randall Cobb to Little.  Cobb is not as big, but is faster, quicker and more dangerous after making the catch.  Colt McCoy does not have a strong arm.  He is going to need receivers who can make plays after making short and intermediate receptions. 

Jordan Cameron: The former USC tight end is more of an athlete than a football player at this point.  Cameron is a former basketball player and was impressive in workouts prior to the draft.  However, his production on the football field was limited (16 receptions for 126 yards (7.9 per), 1 touchdown in 2010).  Cameron was a projection pick.  Cleveland hopes that his raw athleticism translates into production in games in the near future.  The Browns may have been better off choosing a less speculative player (Colin McCarthy) for help at linebacker.  Cleveland is far from set at linebacker.  Scott Fujita is 32, Matt Roth does not fit the 4-3 scheme very well and D’Qwell Jackson has battled injuries the past two years.  Colin McCarthy plays with a lot of intensity and may have been the way to go.

2011 NFL Draft Grade: B

Bottom Line:  The Browns made the biggest trade of the 2011 NFL Draft when they sent their 1^st round pick (#6 overall) to Atlanta for the Falcons’ 1^st (#27), 2^nd (#59), 4^th (#124), 2012 1^st round and 4^th round selections.  That was quite a haul for one high 1^st round draft choice.  Cleveland is rebuilding and the extra picks should help speed-up the process.  The Browns took some gambles (Phil Taylor and Jordan Cameron), but had a fairly solid draft.  PFDN regarded FB Owen Marecic as the team’s best 3^rd day selection.  He fits what Cleveland wants their West Coast offense fullback to do (block and catch the ball).  The linebacker position was not addressed at all in this draft.