The Cleveland Browns took 22-year old WR Greg Little out of North Carolina in the second round (#59 overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft.  Little is a converted running back as he is a big guy at 6’2″, 215 pounds and he plays really physical.  He doesn’t have great top end speed as he runs a 4.55 40, but he’s always a threat to make a big play because he has no problems putting his shoulder down and breaking tackles.  He’s also an outstanding downfield blocker in the running game which should also aid the Browns’ offense.  Little didn’t play at all last season as he was ruled inelgible for violating NCAA rules pertaining to an agent.  Back in 2009, Little played in 13 games (all starts) for the Tar Heels and he caught 62 passes for 724 yards (11.7 avg) with 5 TD grabs.  In three years with North Carolina, Little played in 38 games (22 starts) in which he caught 86 passes for 969 yards (11.3 avg) with 6 TD grabs.  Little fills a huge need for the Cleveland Browns and he will likely be starting from Day #1.

The Cleveland Browns selected 22-year old DE Jabaal Sheard out of Pittsburgh with the #37 overall pick (2nd round) of the 2011 NFL Draft.  Sheard is a little on the small side at DE as he is 6’2″, 254 pounds….but he’s fast as he runs a 4.75 40.  His speed off the snap gets him into opposing backfields quite often.  Sheard plays hard and he plays hurt, so if he’s sitting on the bench it will be because of performance.  He could get a little tougher against the run though according to reports.  Sheard played in 12 games (all starts) for Pittsburgh last year and he had 52 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 9 sacks, batted down 4 balls, forced 4 fumbles and he recovered 1 fumble.  Sheard played in 47 games (38 starts) in his four years with Pittsburgh and he had 142 tackles, 35.5 tackles for a loss, 19.5 sacks, batted down 16 passes, forced 5 fumbles and he had 1 fumble recovery.  The Browns have been waiting a long time for a good pass rushing end and they may have found one in Jabaal Sheard.

The Cleveland Browns traded down out of the #6 pick with the Atlanta Falcons (they picked WR Julio Jones).  The Browns got the #27 overall pick (1st round), #59 overall pick (2nd round) and #124 overall pick (4th round) in this year’s draft as well as the Falcons’ first and fourth round picks in 2012.  That was quite a haul for Julio Jones (whom the Browns could have used themselves).  The Browns then dealt the #27 overall pick and the #70 overall pick (3rd round) to the Kansas City Chiefs to move up six spots to #21.  The Browns then selected 23-year old massive DT Phil Taylor out of Baylor.  Taylor is a huge man at 6’3″, 337 pounds and he will team inside with Ahtyba Rubin in the Browns’ new 4-3 defensive alignment.  Taylor played in 13 games (all starts) for Baylor last year and he had 62 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, he batted down 2 balls and he forced 1 fumble.  Taylor played in 44 games (27 starts) in his four years at Baylor and Penn State in which he had 107 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, 2 batted down balls and 1 forced fumble.

The first round of the NFL Draft is next Thursday and it will be the start of the Cleveland Browns trying to fill some holes on the roster.  I think they will be pretty successful at that venture as I saw them doing pretty well in my mock draft.  Here’s how I saw them doing:

1st round (#6 overall) – A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

2nd round (#37 overall) – Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor

3rd round (#70 overall) – Jason Pinkston, OT, Pittsburgh

4th round (#102 overall) – Pierre Allen, DE, Nebraska

5th round (#137 overall) – Brandon Hogan, CB, West Virginia

6th round (#168 overall) – Keith Williams, G, Nebraska

6th round (#170 overall) – Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh

7th round (#248 overall) – Dane Sanzenbacher, Ohio State

I see the Browns cleaning up in this draft just like they did last year at this time.  A.J. Green would immediately become the Browns’ go to WR!  Each of the linemen on both sides of the ball could also win starting jobs if they look good in training camp.  This would be a monster haul for the Browns.