NFL prospect Michael Crabtree would love to be holding a Browns jersey when his name is called on Saturday during the 2009 NFL Draft.

Crabtree expressed his feelings about Cleveland in a recent interview with the Cleveland Plain Dealer after a visit with the Browns went well, according to Crabtree.


“I loved Cleveland and would love to play there,” Crabtree said in an e-mail. “It’s a team with great history and great fans who love football."

“[Browns coach Eric Mangini] is a great coach in this league with a lot of experience and I’d be excited to play for him."

“I was excited by the organization and the facilities. It would be fun to play there and I think they’re close to a championship level team.”


It could be said that Crabtree wants to come to Cleveland because it would mean a bigger paycheck but I think that Crabtree is being genuine. The Browns are in desperate need of a wide receiver, Braylon Edwards can't seem to catch a pass to save his life, and Donte Stallworth is battling legal issues.

Now that we know Crabtree wants to come to Cleveland, will Kokinis do the smart thing and select him with the fifth pick in the 2009 NFL Draft?

It's been a longtime since a player of Crabtree's talent has wanted to come to Cleveland. Drafting Crabtree will give the team at least one receiver who wants to be here.

I know it's a stretch to take a receiver so high but its a risk your going to have to take. By drafting Crabtree that would give the Browns the ability to trade Braylon Edwards and still have a talented receiver at the helm. By trading Edwards the Browns would most likely receive a late first round pick, allow the Browns to address the defense and select a linebacker or defensive back.


Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Browns have lost interest in Crabtree due to his "diva" attitude. Some described Crabtree as "not nice" during his trip to Cleveland.

When Crabtree chatted with NFL.com today he was asked about the conflicting reports about his visit in Cleveland.

"They're just reports," Crabtree said. "Who is it to say if they were true or not. I had a good time when I met with Cleveland."


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