I don't think that anyone could have predicted the turn of events for the Cleveland Browns at the 2009 NFL Draft.

By moving down from the 5th overall pick to the 21st overall pick the Browns acquired more picks which allowed them to draft an abundance of smart football players.

Trading down didn't really hurt the Browns but yet it didn't benefit them significantly. Moving down 16 spots allowed them to draft smart players, however it didn't allow Cleveland to select a playmaker on either side of the ball.


The Dawg Blawg's Pick by Pick Recap:


ROUND 1, PICK 21: Alex Mack, OL, California.
When it comes down to it, selecting Mack was a "safe" pick. Mack is a tall, athletic player with a solid lower body. Nimble enough to get in front of screens, trap block inside and eliminate linebackers at the second level. Mack keeps his legs moving once making contact with his target, often putting his man on the ground in the process. Referred to as many as the top center prospect in the draft, Mack can also play the guard position.

One of the many smart players taken in the NFL Draft by the Browns, Mack will be the anchor of the team for years to come. Drafting Mack doesn't give you flare that other potential picks would have, but gives the Browns a solid middle man for years to come.



ROUND 2, PICK 36: Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State.
The Browns knew they were in need of another receiver, and with this pick they select one of the most polished receivers in the draft. Robiskie isn't a big deep threat, but has the ability to stretch the field. Robiskie is known for his hands and ball skills. Physically he's what you dream of in a receiver. Standing at 6'3, Robiskie's long arms allow him to go up and make the catch in the crowd.



ROUND 2, PICK 50: Mohammed Massaquoi, WR, Georgia.
Similiar to Robiskie Massaquoi has Prototypical size for the NFL. Not the fastest receiver in the draft, Massaquoi can kick it into gear to get seperation from a defender. Although he has the tendency to drop a pass, Massaquoi put together a solid senior season. Massaquoi isn't going to be an elite receiver in the NFL, however look for him to be a solid number 3 or 4 wide out.



ROUND 2, PICK 52: David Veikune, DL, Hawaii.
Veikune is a speedy defensive lineman who will convert to outside linebacker for the Browns. Cleveland has been in need of a fast edge rusher opposite of Kamerion Wimbley. Veikune sheds blocks using strong, violent hands when he's fresh. Uses his stout frame to split double-teams and move to the ball while engaged. Has the explosiveness to get the edge by dropping his shoulder or using an over-arm move.



ROUND 4, PICK 104: Kaluka Maiava, LB, USC.
Maiava is probably the smartest player that Cleveland selected. He can play on both the weakside and the strongside. He's a valuable special teams player and is smart enough to come off the bench and know the entire playbook. Maiava is an instinctive defender and reads the action to put himself in position to make a play. He can elude blockers to break down in space to make an open field tackle.



ROUND 6, PICK 177: Don Carey, DB, Norfolk State.
Selecting Carey finally addressed the secondary for the Browns. Carey is a physical defender with good straight line speed and excellent recovery speed. Gets back into the play even if a receiver makes a nice head fake to get an advantage. He has a chance to develop into a starter, and this is about the spot in the draft where these types of players go. The Browns secondary was a weak point last year and Carey provides depth.



ROUND 6, PICK 191: Coye Francies, DB, San Jose State.
Francies will provide depth not only as a defensive back but also as a kick returner. Francies has good straight line speed and loose hips to turn with defenders. He has good awareness in coverage and is rarely out of position.


ROUND 6, PICK 195: James Davis, RB, Clemson.
Davis was a hot prospect his junior season but struggled his final year at Clemson. Tight skinned athlete with good overall musculature. Good all-around athleticism. Quick to the hole. Good lateral quickness to make defenders miss in the open field. Can stop and start to elude defenders and is a threat to gain big yardage every time he touches the ball. Not a bullish runner, but has good lower leg drive and is at his best when he gets significant carries. Flashes explosiveness and can run through tackles. Secure ball handler.

It's been 10 years since the day that the Cleveland Browns selected quarterback Tim Couch with the number one overall pick in the 1999 draft. By selecting Tim Couch first overall the Browns passed up on players like Donovan McNabb, Torry Holt, and Champ Bailey.

I think the 1999 draft could be summed up in one sentence, "Learn from your mistakes.".

Of course this is what a team should learn from every draft, and I hope the Browns have done just that.

Over the past couple months I have read analyzed plenty of mock drafts, few with the same result. I've seen the Browns taking everyone from Brian Orakpo to Mark Sanchez. With a variety of team needs and an abundance of trade rumors, there is little room for error in the 2009 draft.

If there is one thing that terrifies me about tomorrows draft it would be the possibility of the Browns drafting USC quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Although Sanchez had a great season in 2008 for USC, but that's all it was, one great season. Some say that playing in a Pro-style offense makes up for Sanchez's lack of experience.

I don't see why the Browns would want to take Sanchez with the fifth overall pick, heck, I don't see why the Browns would want to take a quarterback in the first 4 rounds.

If the Browns don't already have a quarterback controversy on their hands, drafting Sanchez would just add fuel to the fire. Having both Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson is already sucking up salary cap as it is. Drafting Sanchez fifth overall will just be sucking up more cap space. Not to mention that many people criticize Brady Quinn because of his lack of arm strength, but drafting Sanchez would just be a small step up from that of Quinn's.

I would hope that any of these reasons would suffice for not drafting Sanchez. In case they aren't just let me remind of you the two quarterbacks that Cleveland have taken in the first round since their return in 1999, Brady Quinn and Tim Couch. If that doesn't put some fear into you then I don't know what will.

I think that Quinn is quite capable of being successful in the NFL, just not with the current Browns team. After trading tight-end Kellen Winslow and rumors of trading Braylon Edwards there is no way that any quarterback could be successful in a system such as the current one of the Browns.

With that being said, I think the Browns need to draft Michael Crabtree. Even if Edwards isn't traded his contract is up at the end of this year, it's no secret that Braylon wants out of Cleveland and that the feeling is mutual with management. Unlike Edwards, Crabtree would love to play for the Browns. Plus, when Edwards contract does expire at the end of the season the returning leading receiver for the Browns would be tight end Steve Heiden.

I also wouldn't mind seeing the Browns select defensive lineman/ linebacker Brian Orakpo from Texas. The Browns need a dominate pass rusher and Orakpo is the top rated pass rusher in the draft. However, taking Orakpo is a major risk because he would be switching positions and the last defensive lineman Cleveland selected in the first round was Gerard Warren.

When it all comes down to it, the Browns could go in many different directions, and we will not be certain until Commissioner Goodell announces Cleveland's pick on Saturday. So let's keep our fingers crossed that Cleveland doesn't select another Tim Couch or Courtney Brown.