Analyzing The Cleveland Browns 2008 Amateur Draft.

This is a summary of how the Browns did on day one and two of the April 26-27 2008 Annual Amateur Draft.  Because of trades, Cleveland did not make their first selection until Round 4 trading up to take Beau Bell with the fifth pick, 104 overall, of the fourth round.  This analysis will expand on what we received for the picks that were traded and the value in comparison to the actual 2008 draft.

Round One:  Brady Quinn

Having given up this year’s choice to take Brady Quinn with pick #22 in the 2007 draft, Cleveland apparently had found the Quarterback of the future they had been looking for.  Brady, a junior declaring early for the draft out of Notre Dame, would have rated high on the 2008 draft boards with a direct comparison to Matt Ryan of Boston College that was chosen third overall by the Atlanta Falcons.  Atlanta chose Ryan to be their face of the franchise much in the same way people perceived Cleveland intended when selecting Quinn.  Of course Derek Anderson evolving into a Pro-Bowl caliber quarterback talent was not in the picture yet.  Remember Charlie Frye against Pittsburgh in week one? 

Quinn likely would have been selected between picks 10-18.  Joe Flacco of Delaware was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 18th pick after they traded up to secure that pick.  Ozzie was working the phones last year as well trying to secure a pick for Quinn but was not willing to pull the trigger on a steep asking price.  Strange comparison though because Brian Brohm was selected by Green Bay in round two of the draft.  His stock would have been much higher if he had come out in 2007. 

Round Two:  Corey Williams

Having trading the 2008 second round choice to Green Bay for their franchise defensive lineman, the Browns started to solidify their defensive line through proven players.  Corey Williams, a 27 year old former round 6 selection in the 2004 draft out of Arkansas State, has established himself as a defensive force in the NFL over the past four years.  Green Bay franchised him to control his free agency choices and traded his rights to Cleveland for the 2008 draft pick.  In the 2008 draft, no defensive tackles were selected in this area.  Trevor Laws, a 6’ 304lb. defensive tackle from Notre Dame was selected 10 picks earlier for comparison and it’s clear no lineman of Williams caliber was available with the second pick traded.  Williams fits into the 3-4 defensive scheme which is not always the case with the projected candidates that would have gone in this selection.

The talent pool at defensive tackle in the 2008 draft was not deep or potent.  Hand picking a proven player at age 27 that fits the defensive system seemed like a very good move once the dust has settled on the early rounds of the 2008 draft.

Round Three:  Shaun Rogers

Having trading the 2008 third round choice with starting CB Leigh Bodden for Shaun Rogers appears to be a gamble but with a very large upside.  Rogers, a 29 year old 340lb. defensive tackle drafted in 2001 in round 2, has not always played up to the lofty projections put upon him early in his career.  He’s a Pro-Bowl caliber run stuffer with great push and technique up the middle that fills a massive need in the 2008 off-season.  His reputation has not always been stellar during his stay in Detroit but no one has questioned his potential.  His attitude, weight and inspiration has been called into question.  However with the new atmosphere and a new found love for the game coming through a new lucrative contract, Shaun appears poised to prove his naysayers wrong.  Cleveland is eager to help him on his way.

His talent and role he’ll fill in the 3-4 defensive scheme in Cleveland would have been hard pressed to fill in the third round of the 2008 draft.  Detroit selected Andre Fluellen, a defensive tackle out of Florida State Detroit is hoping to replace Shaun Rogers with, but he’s an unproven smallish defensive presence with limitations due to his size and physical build.  Leigh Bodden as part of the deal is the one element that is hard to swallow.  Leigh has established himself as a true starting corner in the NFL.  He will be hard pressed to replace late in the draft.

Round Four:  LB Beau Bell (UNLV) & TE Martin Rucker (Missouri)

Cleveland intended to find a Middle Linebacker on the second day of the 2008 draft and had to trade up to secure Beau Bell.  Bell, a 6’1” 240lb. linebacker was selected with pick number 104.  He seems to fit well in the inside linebacker rotation with Andra Davis, D’Qwell Jackson and Leon Williams (another find in the 2006 fourth round).  He fits well into the 3-4 defensive scheme and projects well in his transition to the pro level.

Cleveland traded their 2009 third round choice to secure the rights to draft TE Martin Rucker.  With back surgery and age (32) making Steve Heiden a questionable long-term option aside Kellen Winslow, the Browns felt they had to make a move on the future of the position.  Rucker has been questioned on his blocking and not having blazing speed, but he has great size and hands and fits well into the Browns offensive scheme.  Blocking?  What other TE do we know that had questionable blocking coming out of college?

Round Five:  Traded in move up for Beau Bell

Round Six:  DT Ahtyba Rubin (Iowa State) & WR Paul Hubbard (Wisconsin)

Ahtyba is a big bodied run stuffer with limited “leverage base” belt line.  He’s never going to be a pass rusher but he’s big and has the potential to be a very good nose tackle once he refines his technique. 

WR Paul Hubbard is a big red zone target at 6’5” and 225lb.  Those of us that watch Big Ten football know about Hubbard well.  If he had not gotten hurt and sat out seven games he would have never been at this position for Cleveland to select.  With the addition of Dontae’ Stallworth to the already potent Braylon Edwards, Joe Jureviscius, Josh Cribbs corps of receivers this was a value pick.  When Joe retires this pick may fill the void in red zone and possession situations.

Round Seven:  Alex Hall

Can you say PROJECT.  Hall projects as an outside pass rushing linebacker in the 3-4 defense with a body at 6’5” and 219lb. that has potential to add bulk.  He needs to get bigger and add strength but has good speed and instincts for an outside pass rusher.