This article is part of our NFL Draft series.
Areas of Need
1. Quarterback
Brandon Weeden isn't the answer and neither is Jason Campbell. Brian Hoyer put together a nice two-game stretch but still doesn't profile as anything more than a good backup. The Browns should be able to nab a quarterback with the No. 4 overall pick, and with extra selections in rounds one, three, and four, they also have more than enough ammo to move up.
2. Running Back
After trading Trent Richardson to the Colts in September, the Browns used an assortment of ineffective running backs throughout the 2013 season. Even at a position that many teams have de-emphasized, it's tough to suffer through an entire year with the likes of Chris Ogbonnaya, Fozzy Whittaker, and an over-the-hill Willis McGahee. Given the current state of the team's backfield, Cleveland doesn't necessarily need to use a pick in the first two rounds to find an upgrade.
3. Wide Receiver
With Josh Gordon and tight end Jordan Cameron in tow, the Browns have plenty of high-end receiving talent. Now, they need to complement their stars with some decent players. As one might expect, Greg Little and Davone Bess were both awful last year. Bess was likely going to be a cap casualty, even before his off-the-field troubles became public knowledge. Little's recent issues have mostly been restricted to the football field, where he has been consistently awful since coming into the league. His physical talent is easily outweighed by his shaky hands and lack
Areas of Need
1. Quarterback
Brandon Weeden isn't the answer and neither is Jason Campbell. Brian Hoyer put together a nice two-game stretch but still doesn't profile as anything more than a good backup. The Browns should be able to nab a quarterback with the No. 4 overall pick, and with extra selections in rounds one, three, and four, they also have more than enough ammo to move up.
2. Running Back
After trading Trent Richardson to the Colts in September, the Browns used an assortment of ineffective running backs throughout the 2013 season. Even at a position that many teams have de-emphasized, it's tough to suffer through an entire year with the likes of Chris Ogbonnaya, Fozzy Whittaker, and an over-the-hill Willis McGahee. Given the current state of the team's backfield, Cleveland doesn't necessarily need to use a pick in the first two rounds to find an upgrade.
3. Wide Receiver
With Josh Gordon and tight end Jordan Cameron in tow, the Browns have plenty of high-end receiving talent. Now, they need to complement their stars with some decent players. As one might expect, Greg Little and Davone Bess were both awful last year. Bess was likely going to be a cap casualty, even before his off-the-field troubles became public knowledge. Little's recent issues have mostly been restricted to the football field, where he has been consistently awful since coming into the league. His physical talent is easily outweighed by his shaky hands and lack of fluidity.
Potential targets
*Denotes player who declared with eligibility remaining
1. Quarterback
First round
-Johnny Manziel*, Texas A&M (6-0, 210)
-Teddy Bridgewater*, Louisville (6-2, 205)
-Blake Bortles*, UCF (6-3, 230)
Second round
-Derek Carr, Fresno State (6-3, 220)
-Zach Mettenberger, LSU (6-5, 235)
-Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois (6-2, 225)
Third round
-David Fales, San Jose St. (6-2, 220)
Fourth round and later
-Tajh Boyd, Clemson (6-1, 225)
-Brett Smith*, Wyoming (6-2, 205)
-Aaron Murray, Georgia (6-1, 210)
-AJ McCarron, Alabama (6-3, 215)
2. Running Back
Second round
-Devonta Freeman*, FSU (5-8, 205)
-Tre Mason*, Auburn (5-9, 205)
-Carlos Hyde, Ohio St. (6-0, 235)
-Lache Seastrunk*, Baylor (5-9, 210)
-Ka'Deem Carey*, Arizona (5-10, 210)
Third round
-Bishop Sankey*, Washington (5-10, 205)
-Charles Sims, West Virginia (6-0, 215)
Fourth round or later
-Terrance West*, Towson (5-11, 225)
-James White, Wisconsin (5-10, 195)
-Rajion Neal, Tennessee (5-11, 210)
-James Wilder Jr.*, FSU (6-1, 230)
-Jeremy Hill*, LSU (6-1, 235)
-Andre Williams, Boston College (6-0, 230)
-Marion Grice, ASU (6-0, 210)
3. Wide Receiver
First round
-Sammy Watkins*, Clemson (6-1, 205)
-Mike Evans*, Texas A&M (6-5, 225)
-Kelvin Benjamin*, Florida State (6-5, 235)
-Marqise Lee*, Southern California, (6-0, 195)
-Odell Beckham*, LSU (5-11, 195)
-Jarvis Landry*, LSU (6-0, 195)
Second round
-Allen Robinson*, Penn State (6-3, 210)
-Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt (6-3, 205)
-Brandin Cooks*, Oregon St. (5-10, 185)
-Davante Adams*, Fresno State (6-2, 215)
Third round
-Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin (6-0, 190)
-Bruce Ellington*, South Carolina (5-9, 195)
-De'Anthony Thomas*, Oregon (5-9, 170)
-Brandon Coleman*, Rutgers (6-5, 220)
Fourth round and later
-Paul Richardson*, Colorado (6-1, 170)
-Robert Herron, Wyoming (5-9, 190)
-Mike Davis, Texas (6-1, 195)
-Cody Latimer*, Indiana (6-2, 215)
-Jalen Saunders, Oklahoma (5-9, 160)
