Analyzing the NFL Draft: The Cleveland Browns

Ever since the return of the Cleveland Browns in 1999 the franchise has been notorious for all the wrong reasons. The Browns' lackluster drafts are just one of the many reasons the team has seen numerous losing seasons in the last decade. It appears that 2007 may be the year that the Browns turn things around. That seems to be the opinion of many NFL experts. After taking a look for myself I cannot help but think that the experts may indeed be correct. However, this is the Browns. There is always a chance for the unthinkable to occur. Nonetheless, at this point, the NFL Draft can only be examined on its own merit. Without further ado here are my thoughts on the selections made by the Browns in 2007.

Round 1, Pick 3: Joe Thomas, OL from Wisconsin

Thomas was regarded as the "safe pick" entering the NFL Draft. A left tackle, Thomas definitely lacks the flair of those chosen around him. However, there is little doubt that he will be a force on the line. This is exactly what the Browns need. Just ask quarterback Charlie Frye. It was believed at the time that the Browns choosing Thomas third overall would finally allow Frye to show exactly what he can do when he's not running for his life. Even if Frye isn't calling the signals in September, Thomas is a necessity in strengthening one of the weakest offensive lines in the NFL.

Round 1, Pick 22: Brady Quinn, QB from Notre Dame

This has been the most scrutinized pick of the 2007 NFL Draft by far. I will discuss the future ramifications of this pick near the end of the article. By choosing Quinn the Browns snatched up two top ten picks in the first round not to mention (at worst) the second best quarterback in the NFL Draft this year. Quinn was a proven winner at one of the most prestigious colleges in the country. He has all the physical attributes necessary to be a great quarterback. It doesn't hurt that Quinn is a local boy that has loved the Browns since birth. Cleveland may finally have found the "face of the franchise" that the Browns have been searching for since 1999. Whether he is NFL ready right now is still in question.

Round 2, Pick 53: Eric Wright, CB from UNLV

Eric Wright is proof of how much the NFL has changed in the past few months. With the league now punishing players for off-the-field transgressions (i.e. "Pacman" Jones) players such as Wright saw their stock plummet in this year's NFL Draft. The talented defensive back was accused of rape in 2005. The chargers were eventually dropped.

Wright's character issues aside, he is an outstanding athlete and viewed as one of the best defensive backs in this year's class. Anybody who watched Cleveland Browns football last year knows that this is a team in desperate need of help in the secondary. A player with the talent of Eric Wright was a necessity.

Round 5, Pick 140: Brandon McDonald, CB from Memphis

Due to trading up for Quinn and Wright Cleveland's next pick came in the fifth round. McDonald, like Wright, will hopefully bring some much-needed life to an awful secondary. McDonald started his career as a wide receiver before moving to cornerback. In 2006 he was second-team All Conference and named the MVP of his team's defensive unit. McDonald had four interceptions as well as 84 tackles last season. He can also be used on punt returns.

Round 6, Pick 200: Melila Purcell, DL from Hawaii

My first thought when I heard this pick announced was "who is this guy?" I pride myself on watching plenty of college football and Melila Purcell was not a name that I had remembered seeing. I searched his name for an hour after he was chosen and I could find nothing on Purcell. It was as if he had never played college football. I eventually learned that most experts did not even have Purcell on their boards. An undersized defensive lineman, Purcell will most likely be used as a linebacker in the Browns' 3-4 scheme if he makes the team.

Round 7, Pick 213: Chase Pittman, DL from LSU

Pittman, like Eric Wright, has some character issues. While the assault charges in 2005 were eventually dropped, Pittman is just another example of a good player being drafted later than expected due to off-the-field problems. However, there is no doubting Pittman's ability. He led LSU in sacks in 2006 and will add depth to the Browns' defense. Pittman will have to bulk up if he plans to play defensive end. Otherwise, expect him to play the outside linebacker position.

Round 7, Pick 234: Syndric Steptoe, WR from Arizona

At 5-9 and 182 pounds Steptoe is believed to be too small to be a big-play wide receiver at the next level. His speed and athleticism make him an asset on special teams, which is where he will most likely find himself. Steptoe could very well be the replacement for Dennis Northcutt, the punt return specialist who left the Browns via free agency during the off-season.

All things considered the Browns seem to have finally put together an excellent draft. Thomas and Wright are studs at their positions. The other selections appear to be necessary role players needed to turn this team around.

The spotlight will be on Brady Quinn for quite sometime. By giving up next year's first round selection the Browns have made Quinn their franchise quarterback. There are only a few ways that doing so will not come back to haunt the Browns for years to come. If Quinn is everything the experts believe he can be than giving up a first round pick for him a year early is an outstanding move. If the Browns can put together an eight-win or better season in 2007 than losing a first round selection in 2008 will not be so catastrophic. However, if the Browns falter again this upcoming season, they will have given a top ten pick to the Dallas Cowboys.

Ironically, the best thing that could happen for the team would be the emergence of Charlie Frye as a superstar. In that case Cleveland would become the 2007 version of the San Diego Chargers with Frye playing the part of Drew Brees. Unfortunately for Frye I don't believe he will be given such an opportunity. Cleveland has to let their new franchise quarterback start this season, if only to appease the most loyal fans in football.