Browns NFL Draft Preview: Offense - Part 1

Some quick updates and notes:
-The C-Town Sports’ Lounge has been inactive lately, but the main contributor, Justin, is back in action and ready to roll. Be sure to check that site out when you get a chance.
-We have a new site member at Bitterfans.com and it’s none other than the CTown Sports’ Lounge creator…Justin. I look forward to having him aboard to help push bitterfans onto bigger-better things. I’ve been a bit busy with the start of the baseball season over at Bitterfans.com. Be sure to check that site out for all your fun baseball info and opinions.

While all this is going, one of my favorite events is creeping up on us: the NFL Draft.

Last year around this time, new Browns’ GM and draft guru, Phil Savage, was trying to settle in for his first draft with the Cleveland Browns. With a shortened off-season and a short time table to prepare, Phil Savage pulled off a few decent picks that would help the team in 2005. With this off-season being his first full one, I expect Savage to be even better prepared this time with a better idea of what the team needs are so he can pull in the most amount of impact players in the draft that he can get his hands on.

With the NFL draft quickly approaching (April 29-30), it’s time to take a look at the current Cleveland Browns team, figure out their needs going into the draft, and examine some of the names that will be available to them at the end of the month. This week, we’ll break down the current state of the offense and evaluate their needs on that side of the ball. I’ll start today with QBs, RBs, and FBs:

QB
Charlie Frye – Charlie showed poise and the ability to make plays out of the pocket during his rookie season, but there were spots where he struggled a bit as a rookie. This team is finally putting a good OL together, so that will help him. He also has the knowledge of Trent Dilfer and a good rusher Ruben Droughns to hand off to, so he’s had more help here than any other QB that’s been here in a while. Odds are that he is our future so it’s tough to think the Browns will be investing a draft pick at the QB position.
Trent Dilfer – Many rip him when he plays, but the value Trent brings to this team is much more valuable than what most people will give him credit for. He’s good for young Quarterbacks, he’s the perfect team player, and he can still function as a spot starter. He’s important to have around while Charlie continues to learn and get better. It’s like having another coach on the roster at the most important position on the team.
Derek Anderson – Derek is occupying a roster spot mostly because it seems like he is one of Savage’s boys back when Anderson was originally picked up by Baltimore. He hasn’t done much here, so the jury is way out on him.
Lang Campbell – Lang has done a decent job out in NFL Europe this spring so far, and could push Derek Anderson for the 3rd spot at some point.

HB
Ruben Droughns – The trade for Ruben Droughns worked wonders for the Browns (and helped Denver in the process). Droughns made the successful transfer from RB paradise, to RB hell and blew the Browns 1,000 yard rushing drought right out of the water in the process. On the downside, Droughns tailed off towards the end of the year after a hefty workload. Someone will have to step up and take some of his carries this coming year.
Lee Suggs – Suggs can’t stay healthy. It just seems like a given that some kind of injury will set him back at some point during a full season. It’s tough to depend on him and I wonder whether it would be better to deal him for a low round pick at this point and grab a more durable back-up type RB in the draft.
William Green – It’s hard to really find too much value in William Green anymore. With Suggs, you know you have a good back when he’s healthy…with Green you have a healthy player who doesn’t really do much. Green is a pre-season stud and that’s all he seems to be worth anymore.
Jason Wright – Jason Wright will go down in Browns’ lore as being the first RB to score a rushing TD for the Browns in 2005 (well into the season). Wright showed some things in limited action, almost to the point where you would put him ahead of William Green on the depth chart, but he certainly wouldn’t be the kind of back that you would want to play regularly to spell Droughns.

FB
Terrelle Smith – Smith is a good teammate and a tough player. He’s also an above average FB who is a good run blocker. Just ask Ruben Droughns about that. However, if Smith gets hurt, it remains to be seen if his backup can step up and fill his shoes. IF Smith gets hurt, that could cause more problems than many would think.
Corey McIntyre – Corey hasn’t spent too much time out on the field with the offense. He’s usually busy getting flagged for block in the back calls on Special Teams. It’s not certain that he would be able to fill in effectively for Smith if an injury occurred. He doesn’t seem all that smart, but can he run block effectively?

As I mentioned, I’m splitting the offensive analysis into multiple days. I’ll cover WRs and TEs tomorrow, and the OL on Friday. Saturday I will summarize everything and list out my thoughts on the offense’s top need areas going into the draft.