Written by Dave Kolonich

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The Browns have a lot of needs to address starting tonight in the NFL Draft.

And despite the new oversaturated format of the actual draft, our beloved franchise has a very short window in which to address these needs.

So without further bluster, let’s get down to business.

The Worst of the Worst

With a team like Cleveland – you know, one that is now beginning the fifth phase of its initial rebuilding plan – the amount of roster needs far outweighs the number of picks currently held.  Or, in other words, where have you gone, USFL?

If there was ever a time a team needed a quick, supplemental influx of professional talent, this would be it.  But of course, such thinking is useless – sorry, History major – so we have to deal with the only resources available.

Which means the new front office regime better not miss.

In order to better make sense of the coming draft, here’s what I view as the current roster’s biggest needs.  And granted, this is a hard list in which to determine specific value.

1.  Safety

Although it would be much easier to just lump together the entire secondary here, the current lack of depth at both safety positions is simply stunning.  As it stands now, Mike Adams and Abe Elam would begin the 2010 season as starters, with Nick Sorensen and Ray Ventrone as backups.

Just to clarify – that’s Adams and Elam.  Oh, also – the NFL is now basically a flag football league.

Taken individually, Adams is a terrific utility player – the kind that I could envision being a part of a future playoff contender.  He can fill in at both safety spots and play some cornerback.  In addition to this versatility, Adams is one of the best special teams players on the roster.  However, what he is not is a starter.  As long as Adams is forced into starting duty – regardless of the position – the defense will not reach its full potential.

As for Elam, he could fall into the Eric Wright category – meaning if he was teamed with a top-flight safety, he could be free to make some plays.  However, in Elam’s case, it appears that his skill set is limited.  Basically, he’s pretty good around the line of scrimmage – particularly in run support - and is an effective blitzer.  However, in terms of coverage, there is something lacking.

For the Browns’ defense to truly move forward, these weaknesses need to be immediately addressed.  Be it a first-round selection at the top of the draft, or lower, the Browns desperately need to add a playmaker in the secondary.  And then another one.

2. Cornerback

Here are the two most popular sentiments among Browns Nation regarding this position:

1.  Joe Haden is a bum.  And really, really slow.

2.  Sheldon Brown is some gallant knight riding into Berea to avenge the cruel decade-long tyranny of abuse committed by the team’s evil rulers.

And here are my responses:

1.  Joe Haden is still the best corner prospect in the draft.  Also, I truly hate the NFL Combine.

2. We’ll be lucky to get one good year out of Brown before his body breaks apart.

Which means that the Browns seriously need to upgrade this position as well.

In my view, the situation at cornerback reflects the overall progress of the defense.  Basically, the current defense is capable of pressuring opposing QB’s, but only if the secondary can cover wideouts for more than 3-4 seconds.

Using the Pittsburgh win from last season as an example, the Browns’ secondary was excellent in coverage, which allowed the front seven to continually pressure Ben Roethlisberger.  Granted, the receivers being covered included a one-legged Hines Ward, but the idea is clear.  If the Browns can add a top-flight corner – along with some additional depth at the position – this defense could soar in 2010.

3. Offensive Tackle

The reason I’m excited for the Mike Holmgren/Tom Heckert regime to begin is the same reason I despised the Dwight Clark, Butch Davis and Phil Savage ones.  With the blips of Joe Thomas and Alex Mack, this franchise has continually refused to strengthen its offensive line.

The 2010 draft needs to serve as the beginning of a new era in Cleveland – one that sees the team annually invest picks in offensive linemen.  Right now, the team has huge voids at both right guard and right tackle, and will eventually have another at left guard.  Although Eric Steinbach is solid and the Floyd Womack/Tony Pashos Band-Aids are adequate for now, the Browns need to be thinking about both the present and future.

Of course, I may be presuming that Holmgren and Heckert have this same idea in mind.

4. Inside Linebacker

Obviously, my ranking system probably does not reflect the one made by the people actually in charge of the team.  Considering the huge volume of bodies all over the linebacking core at the moment, I don’t really expect the team to draft any players at this position.  However, the Browns have never found a good fit at the inside spots since the arrival of the 3-4 defense in 2005.

While D’Qwell Jackson has potential and David Bowens was excellent at times last season, this defense desperately needs a thumping, athletic inside linebacker.  After all, Jackson’s contract status is tenuous, Bowens is nearly 35 and Eric Barton is still considered a viable starting option.

5. Wide Receiver

As I mentioned yesterday, it’s almost like we’ll have two extra draft picks this year in the form of Brian Robiskie and Mohammed Massaquoi.  After all, it usually takes receivers a few years to develop; or in Robiskie’s case – several decades.  Which means that if the Browns do draft a receiver, the payoff will likely not occur for some time.  However, what the team can do – for 2010 – is add some speed and athleticism to the position.  Currently, the Browns do not feature any sort of playmaker on the outside.

6. Defensive End

Much like the Offensive Line, I’ve been beating the drum for the team to add some defensive line depth this weekend.  While the starting unit of Coleman, Smith and Rubin/Rogers is solid, there is little depth behind them.  Throw in the fact that Rogers’ future is legally uncertain, while Coleman and Smith have two decomposing bodies, and this situation could become dire towards the end of 2010.  Help is needed here in the form of some young, athletic bodies.

7. Running Back

This is one of those areas where I understand the need to draft some depth, but at the same time, would hate to actually see it happen at the expense of another position.  Basically, like the rest of the league, I’m of the mind that running back is the most disposable position on an NFL roster.  In the Browns’ case, the current trio of Jerome Harrison, Peyton Hillis and James Davis could prove adequate for 2010.

But then again, is anyone truly comfortable with a Harrison, Hillis and Davis trio – especially considering how one-dimensional the 2010 offense has to be?  And if these players are completely disposable, eventually they will have to be replaced.

8. Quarterback

Let the discussion begin….I ranked QB last.  This must mean one of two things:

1.  I am the biggest Jake Delhomme homer on the planet.

2.  I firmly believe that the Browns will run nothing but Wildcat plays in 2010.

However, here is the reality:

1.  Much like Floyd Womack, Jake Delhomme is a great Band-Aid for 2010.  I truly don’t see him with the team beyond next season.  However, for now – we could do a lot worse.  You know what I mean.

2.  The 2010 offense is going to make last year’s Jet team look like a vintage Don Coryell air attack.

3.  I agree that QB is the most important position on the field – especially in this contemporary form of the league – but this year’s QB prospects are incredibly overvalued.  Basically, I think the Browns would be reaching to take practically any of this year’s draft offerings.

4.  Here’s my bit of common sense for the day – just because you “need” a QB, doesn’t mean you “have” to draft one.  Especially this year.  In this draft.  With these prospects.

9.  Outside Linebacker

After last December, I’ve decided to place a moratorium on discussions involving 3-4 outside linebackers.  Perhaps due to my Browns version of PTSD, brought about by the ultra-frustrating Kamerion Wimbley experiment, or because of the realization that Rob Ryan’s defense basically just lets outside linebackers rush upfield, I’ve decided that it just isn’t worth it anymore.

In years past, I would be holding to some ideal visions of the Browns taking a player like Brandon Graham or Sergio Kindle, but no more.  I figure that the team has enough bodies at the position now, along with the right coordinator, that something positive will finally occur.  Therapy has been beneficial to me.

10. Anything Else

So, here’s a question for you – is there a position on the current roster that we can completely ignore this weekend?  I mean, besides long snapper?

Here are four:

1. Punter

2. Kicker

3. Tight End

4. Fullback

However, there still remains a great possibility that Dave Zastudil will become the first punter in history to actually lose feeling in his foot.  Also, Phil Dawson could become the heir apparant to Josh Cribbs in terms of carrying the unloved/Pay Me! torch.  As for tight end, let’s just hope that Ben Watson is rejuvenated in Cleveland and Evan Moore continues to progress into an NFL player.  Finally, just block out the thought that having a true blocking fullback in Lawrence Vickers is so 1976.

Or, the idea that Holmgren still considers trading up for Sam Bradford to be a viable option.

Speaking of which, much more tomorrow on our newest franchise savior.

Come Thursday, a new ruler is crowned in Berea.