2009 NFL Draft two years out: Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns moved back twice on the first day of the 2009 NFL draft and for all of that work it looks like they landed three starters. Granted the two starting receivers that they landed have not set the world on fire and this team still has a big need at teh WR position. However landing three starters in any one draft is quite an accomplishment. Of course there has been a regime change in Cleveland since this draft and that almost always takes some of the shine off, but this still looks like a pretty good draft class.

Here is a look at the 2009 Cleveland Browns draft class:

•Round One (21)- Alex Mack C
•Round Two (36)- Brian Robiskie WR
•Round Two (50)- Mohamed Massaquoi WR
•Round Two (52)- David Veikune LB
•Round Four (104)- Kaiuka Maiava LB
•Round Six (177)- Don Carey DB
•Round Six (191)- Coye Francies DB
•Round Seven (195)- James Davis RB

They used their first round pick on Center Alex Mack, and he is their starting Center. The ultimate success of this draft class will come down to how well he works with QB Colt McCoy and so far they seem to be doing just fine. In my mind the first of the two WR taken Brian Robiskie will get the somewhat unfair label of a possession receiver. He is not a deep threat, but he can be counted on to make those catches to keep the chains moving. Massaquoi is about the same but works a little deeper, but has a much higher upside. If these two receivers were paired with a legit deep threat the Browns WR corps would be great.

The rest of the class was below average, and the Linebackers taken in this draft have not delivered much. Coye Francies remains a backup, but picks out side the 100 are a total crap shoot.