The Browns finished the 2011 season strong on a high note, beating the Patriots, and giving numerous other teams close finishing games. They have a lot of promise on the offensive side of the ball with emerging star running back Peyton Hillis, and 2nd year quarterback Colt McCoy. One specific area of need is wide reciever. The Browns have virtualy no weapons to go vertical down the field and make plays, and lack a serious possession option as well. In a perfect world, the Browns will have their choice of picking either Wide out AJ Green or Patrick Peterson, but they will more than likley be off the board by the time their selection comes up. So this selection will probably come down to two players, either Robert Quinn of UNC or Julio Jones of Alabama. Colt McCoy needs more weapons, and Jones had an amazing combine, running a 4.45 40 on an injured foot, and possess a serious combination of size and speed. He has some issues with concentration and their are concerns about his hands, but he is a solid receiving prosepct. Quinn, like Jones is a combine warrior, who possess the size and speed to be a serious pass rushing threat in the league and offers as much upside as any player in the draft. Ultimatley I believe the pick will be Quinn, as the team is transitioning to a 4-3 defense and will need to adress their week linebacking situation.
Robert Quinn LB/DE. North Carolina
The Bengals are in some serious turmoil. Carson Palmer is demanding a trade declairing that he played his last game at Paul Brown Stadium, so you can make the argument for picking Mizzou QB Blane Gabbert here. Ultimatley this choice will most likley be on the offensive side of the ball. With Terrell Owens gone, a possible departure of runing back Cedrick Benson, and with Chad Johnson likley to be traded, the Bengals need a serious makeover.. I think this pick is a no brainer and must be AJ Green. He is the best recieving prospect since Calvin Johnson, and has Randy Moss-Type potential. He had an underwhelming combine perfomance, but theres no doubt in any GM's mind that this kid can play. With hands of glue, he catches nearly anything thrown his way...and I mean anything...just search some youtube highlights and prepair for your jaw to drop. He started his junior season on a bad note being suspended for auctioning off his bowl game rings and jersey, but theres no getting past that he is an elite prospect and can develope into the gamebreaker Cincinnati despiratley needs...
The Panthers finished the 2011 campaign with a dreadfull 2-14 season. They lacked production on the offensive side of the ball with no real playmaker to rely on, as well as finishing with a lackluster run defense. Jimmy Clausen, who the team selected last year in the second round, is clearly not the answer. He is not a leader, and lacks the sufficient arm streghth to make consistant big plays down field. The Panthers have a lot of holes, especially on the offensive line, but this pick will ultimatley be a quarterback. Cam Newton is by no means a finished product and will need a few years to adjust to the pro style system, but possess as much upside as any player in this draft, and produced one of the best seasons for a college player in recent memory. Keep in mind recently hired Ron Rivera is a renowned defensive coordinator and may push for a selection on the other side of the ball. Ultimatley, this struggling franchise needs a sense of direction, and a quarterback is the first step to the rebuilding process.