To wrap up the 2011 NFL Draft, three random -- and some extended -- thoughts on what each of the AFC North teams accomplished over the weekend and where they might go from here. I'll refrain from actual grades for a couple reasons, one being you can't truly judge a draft for 2-3 years and the other being different teams have different goals in mind for their drafts. If I've done well, you'll be able to gather what my grade would have been.
On the Browns...
1. I wrote extensively at the end of the draft Saturday on what Tom Heckert did, and I think he did well. The first trade was an absolute home run -- and it will look even smarter 8-12 months from now, even if Atlanta is a 12-win team again. The Browns simply have too many holes, too many questions and too much new to realistically think they could be a playoff team in 2011. But Heckert filled needs, took some chances and upgraded the overall athleticism in a draft that has a chance to be a real turning point.
2. I do think Heckert got fleeced and/or gave up too much to get back up six spots and get Phil Taylor at No. 21 overall, but Taylor is a rare guy and could prove over time to be worth that trade and more. It's a little like last year when I thought the Browns gave up too much to get an injury-prone guy in Montario Hardesty; this team needs all the picks it can get. But I thought the Browns did well with the ones they had, got some ready-to-play guys all the way through round four and both filled needs and upgraded their athleticism. If the 2010 draft continues to be as good as it appears it might and the Browns spend their free-agent money wisely, they'll have a chance to make some serious strides. Much, of course, comes down to Colt McCoy.
3. I still think the Browns have to get better (and faster, and younger) at linebacker, but with so much new there's plenty of time for evaluation and maybe to find a diamond in the rough (or two). Heckert knows the roster still has holes, but he thinks there's more talent on hand than I do -- and his is the opinion that counts. Starting from scratch isn't ideal, but it can't be terrible for a team coming off consecutive five-win seasons. The Browns will be inclined to play young guys and find which ones are worth polishing and keeping. And in Taylor, Jabaal Sheard, Greg Little, Owen Marecic and, they hope, some others, they have some fresh faces and talented players. The Browns will certainly be interesting over the next 12 months as they try to get themselves back to legitimacy and then try to get consistently good.
--Zac Jackson
