Without a doubt no draft day staff worked harder than the Cleveland Browns on day one of the 2009 draft. The Browns under GM George Kokinis and new head coach Eric Mangini have gone about rebuilding their team in the opposite fashion that most bad teams try.
The Browns have made a commitment to their players and their fans to rebuild this team from the inside out. Instead of taking a potential franchise QB in USC’s Mark Sanchez. Of course they do have Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson already on the roster but one has to wonder if either of these guys will win the Browns starting job long term.
Since they didn’t need a QB, the Browns were smart to trade down. They saved themselves a lot of money and in the process picked up two additional 2009 6th round picks and three players QB Brett Ratliff, Safety Abram Elam, and DE Kenyon Coleman. These players have additional value to the Browns since they were coached by Mangini in 2008 with the Jets.
From 5th to 26th Cleveland eventually picked Center Alex Mack of California. He was the top rated center in this draft and will provide additional protection for whoever wins the QB battle in Cleveland.
With three picks in the second round due to all of their dealing the Browns went after help at the other needs. While they have a number one WR on the roster in star Braylon Edwards the Browns had no bonified number two option. There fore they drafted Brain Robiskie from OSU with the #36th pick and Mohamed Massaquoi from Georgia with the 50th pick.
These two players will compete for the 2nd receiver spot with the loser becoming the number three spot. With their last pick in the second round the Browns addressed their defense by taking David Veikune the DE from Hawaii. David is a long term project that eventually will play OLB in Cleveland’s 3-4 defense. He was the 12th rated end in this draft.
More to the point is the Browns have set up whomever their 2009 starting QB is going to be with a few weapons to use. Now they must sit back and wait and see if one of these young QB’s can step up and take the job for themselves.
With all of that being said let us take a look at the Browns grades:
Round 1: A
Round 2: A
Talent: A
Needs: B+
Average: A-
While the Browns took several DB’s in the later round of this draft Safety was a primary need and for the most part went unaddressed. That is not to damper what this team was able t accomplish through the two days of the 2009 draft. They have worked the NFL draft like no other team was able this year. This must be a little rub off from Mangini’s days with the New England Patriots.
A more complete look at the Browns 2009 draft picks:
Round One 21st overall Alex Mack C California
Round Two 36th overall Brian Robiskie WR OSU
Round Two 50th overall Mohamed Massaquoi WR Georgia
Round Two 52nd overall David Veikune DE Hawaii
Round Four 104th overall Kaluka Maiava LB USC
Round Six 177th overall Don Carey DB Norfolk State
Round Six 191st overall Coye Francies DB San Jose State
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