The Cleveland Browns hit on all of their first four picks of the NFL Draft as they all will likely be starters for the Browns for a long, long time.  First, the Browns took OLT Joe Thomas with their first round pick.  All Thomas did as a rookie was make it to the Pro Bowl and the scary part is that he should get even better.  The Browns then traded their 2nd round pick and their first round pick in 2008 to the Cowboys for QB Brady Quinn.  Quinn only played in 1 game (0 starts) for the Browns last season and he completed 3 of 8 passes for 45 yards (56.8 QB Rating).  He led the Browns to a field goal in the last game of the season but both Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards each dropped a ball in the end zone that hit them in the hands.  Make no mistake, Derek Anderson had a good year in 2007 but Brady Quinn is the future QB of the Cleveland Browns.  The Browns traded back into the 2nd round to select cornerback Eric Wright.  Wright played in 14 games (13 starts) for the Browns last season and he made 76 tackles, had 1 sack, defensed 11 passes and intercepted 1 pass.  He will likely team with the Browns’ 5th round pick from last season, CB Brandon McDonald.  McDonald played in all 16 games (2 starts) for the Browns last season and he made 24 tackles, defensed 10 passes and intercepted 2 passes.  6th round pick Melila Purcell spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad as he only dressed for the season finale and he didn’t get in the game.  7th round pick, DE Chase Pittman spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad.  WR/KR Syndric Steptoe also didn’t get to play as a rookie.

GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B

GRADE FOR THE FUTURE:  A

The Cleveland Browns have signed outside linebacker Shante Orr to a 1-year deal.  Orr played in 8 games (2 starts) for the Texans & Jaguars last season and he made 12 tackles.  Orr has now played in 50 games in his NFL career and he has made 103 tackles, defensed 5 passes, has 10.5 sacks and he has forced 4 fumbles.  The Browns will use Orr on special teams and they might let him rush the passer some.  This was a good move for them.

The Browns have signed G/C Rex Hadnot to a 2-year contract.  The 26-year old Hadnot is a massive, physical player at 6′2″, 325 pounds.  Hadnot will likely move into the starting lineup as long as he can beat out Ryan Tucker.  He started all 16 games last season for the Dolphins.  He has now played in 63 games (55 starts) in his 4-year, NFL career.  The Browns have done a great job of filling needs this off-season and Hadnot was another nice piece to add to the puzzle.

The Cleveland Browns have signed WR Donte’ Stallworth to a 7-year, $35 million dollar contract.  Stallworth played in 16 games last season for the Patriots and he caught 46 passes for 697 yards (15.2 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  He has now played in 84 games in his NFL career and he has caught 279 passes for 4,213 yards (15.1 avg) with 31 TD grabs.  This was another solid move for the Browns as Stallworth has the speed to stretch the field.  This probably bumps Joe Jurevicius from the starting lineup but he will be a lethal #3 WR for the Browns.

The Cleveland Browns have acquired NT Shaun Rogers from the Lions for CB Leigh Bodden and a 3rd round pick in 2008.  Rogers is a 6′4″, 340 pound beast for the middle of the Browns Defense.  Rogers played in 16 games for the Lions last season and he made 39 tackles, had 7 sacks, defensed 3 passes and intercepted a pass that he returned an amazing 66 yards for a TD.  Rogers has now played in 98 games in his NFL career and he has made 272 tackles, has 29 sacks, defensed 21 passes, forced 4 fumbles and he has an interception.  Rogers was an outstanding addition to the Browns Defense as he will demand a double team and free up the inside linebackers to make plays in the running game.  He also will collapse the pocket up the middle at times which will put the opposing QB at risk.

Leigh Bodden has really made himself into a player in Cleveland after making the team as an undrafted free agent.  He played in 16 games last season for the Browns and he made 88 tackles, defensed 15 passes and had 6 interceptions.  Bodden has now played in 59 games in his NFL career and he has made 221 tackles, defensed 48 passes, forced 4 fumbles and intercepted 12 passes.  He will be missed but the Browns needed to make this move to improve the run defense.  Throwing in a third round pick in this deal means that the Browns will not pick until the 4th round in next months NFL Draft.