While I am a big fan of how the Cleveland Browns conducted their 2011 NFL draft I still see a few big holes in their roster. That is to be expected though as this is a team that is still rebuilding under new regime. Even though they used a second round pick on WR Greg Little I have got to wonder if they still do not need more help in their WR crops, and the situation at LB, particularly at OLB or Rush Linebacker. These will need to be addressed once free agency begins.
Depending on how the NFL roster rules get worked out for the 2011 season the Browns could have six free agents in their LB crop. They did not draft a LB prospect in the 2011 NFL draft and that means free agents will have to be brought in, or the team will have to work hard to resign the guys they already got. Since they are switching up defensive coordinators, and a new form of the 3-4 will be brought in so maybe brining in new blood is the answer.
Even though they have Joe Haden and TJ Ward on the roster depth in the secondary is a slight concern. They have two free agents there, and there is still some concerns at the corner spots. They did draft Buster Skrine and Eric Haag in the later rounds of the 2011 draft, and they also have Eric Wright. Wright will be a free agent and at times played well last year. However he lost his confidence and got burned late and eventually landed on injured reserve. I would like to see the Browns bring in a veteran to improve their DB depth, if they do not believe Wright can regain the his early 2010 form.
Related Links:
- Cleveland Browns news and notes
- Joshua Lobdell.com