Official Cleveland Browns Backers Worldwide Fan Club Chapter #301
Sarasota Browns Backers
Est. 2001

Day 1:

• Round 1 (3rd overall) - Joe Thomas LT Wisconsin 6'6" 311 lbs - In 47 games at Wisconsin, Thomas started 37 times at left offensive tackle and once on the defensive line. He registered 311 knockdown blocks with 69 of those stops resulting in Wisconsin touchdowns. He registered 56 of his blocks downfield and graded 87.39 percent for blocking consistency. He also registered 12 tackles (five solos).
   

• Round 1 (22 overall pick from Dallas for 2008 1st and 2007 2nd) - Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame 6'3" 232 lbs.- In 2005, Quinn started all 12 games and completed nearly 65-percent of his attempts for 3,633 yards, 32 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, earning third team All-American honors (media). In 2006, he once again started every game (13) and completed 61.9-percent of his passes for 3,426 yards and 32 more touchdowns (37) than interceptions (seven) while garnering a second team All-American selection (media).. Quinn brings to the table tremendous experience as a four-year starter.
   

• Round 2 (36th overall) - Traded to Dallas along with 2008 1st round pick for Dallas 2007 1st round pick 22nd pick overall
   

• Round 2 (53rd overall pick from Dallas for 2007 3rd, 4th and swapped 6ths) -  Eric Wright CB UNLV 5' 11" 192 lbs. - Wright originally attended USC where he was red shirted in 2003. He then appeared in all 13 games (four starts) as a red shirt freshman in 2004, finishing with 33 total tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, six pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. Wright then transferred to UNLV and sat out the 2005 season in accordance with NCAA regulations. In 2006, he started nine contests (missed three due to a knee injury) and recorded 29 total tackles including 0.5 for loss, one interception, nine passes defended, and one forced fumble earning second team All-WAC honors. Wright also returned 18 kickoffs for 430 yards (23.9 average) and rushed twice for 36 yards during the 2006 season.
  
  Wright is a smooth and confident cover corner with the size and elite speed to turn-and-run with most NFL receivers in man-coverage. He also has some value in the return game. Of major concern will be his past off-field issues from 2005 while a student at USC where he was suspected of possession of drugs (ecstasy) found in his apartment that he shared with a roommate and sexual assault. Nothing was ever proven and all charges were dropped.
   

• Round 3 (67th overall) - Traded to Dallas for 2nd Round #53 overall

Day 2

• Round 4 (103rd overall) - Traded to Dallas for 2nd Round #53 overall
   

• Round 5 (140th overall) - Brandon McDonald CB Memphis 5' 11" 180 lbs. - Two knee injuries sidelined McDonald before his first season at Memphis in 2005 as he underwent an arthroscopic procedure over the summer to repair a lateral meniscus tear. He went on to start 11 of 12 games at right cornerback as a junior, posting 49 tackles (34 solos) with 3½ stops for losses. He deflected 11 passes and picked off three others. He blocked one kick and gained 153 yards on 32 punt returns (4.8 average).
  
  In 2006, McDonald earned team Defensive MVP and second-team All-Conference USA honors. He started four games at left cornerback and eight others at free safety, leading the team with 84 tackles (45 solos), including two stops behind the line of scrimmage. He blocked one kick and caused a fumble while also batting away four passes. He returned four interceptions for 83 yards and 14 punts for 152 yards (10.9 avg.).
  
  In 24 games at Memphis, McDonald started 23 contests. He produced 133 tackles (79 solos) with 5½ stops for losses of 13 yards and a forced fumble. He deflected 15 passes and intercepted seven others for 158 yards in returns (22.6 avg.). He blocked a pair of kicks and gained 305 yards on 46 punt returns (6.6 avg.).
   

• Round 6 (178th overall) - Traded to Dallas for 2nd Round #53 overall
   

• Round 6 (195th overall) - Received with 2nd round #53 overall in Trade with Dallas (Swapped 6th round picks) - Traded Pick to Dallas 195th overall for 200th overall - and receive a 7th round pick 234th overall
   

• Round 6 (200th overall) - Received From Dallas (Swapped 6th round picks - 195 for 200 - and receive a 7th round pick) - Melila Purcell DE Hawaii 6' 4" 289 lbs. - Solid athlete who flashes playmaking skill behind the line of scrimmage. Quickly changes direction or alters his angle of attack, displaying good range. Plays with good pad level and balance. Rarely off his feet and flashes explosion. Slow shedding blocks by opposing tight ends and is easily moved from his angle of attack. Easily gives up on plays if he's blocked from the point.A defender who has flashed ability, Purcell's draft stock dropped after a disappointing season.
   

• Round 7 (213th overall) - Chase Pittman DE LSU 6'5 272 lbs. - Instinctive defender who reads the action well and plays smart, disciplined football. Good strength at the point of attack. Rarely knocked off the ball, even against the double-team. Good overall use of hands to disengage from the block and make the play, even if he doesn't get credit for the tackle. Unselfish team defender. Makes plays when the opportunities is there. Pursues well and doesn't give up on the play.
   

• Round 7 (234th overall) - Received From Dallas - Syndric Steptoe WR Arizona 5' 8" 194 lbs. - Three-year starter and All-Conference selection as a senior after posting career-best receiving numbers of 55/568/2. Also averaged 13.1 yards on 20 punt returns with one score, and 25.6 yards on 16 kick returns. A short wideout who's been developing his game, Steptoe is a potential fourth receiver whose primary duties will be returning punts and kicks.
   

2006 NFL Draft Round One Picks

April 29, 2006 - Cleveland Browns Draft Picks:

Day 1:

• Round 1 - (12th Overall to Baltimore) - Traded to Baltimore for 1st round 13th overall and a 6th round pick (181)

• Round 1 - (13th Overall from Baltimore) - Kamerion Wimbley (6'4" 245 lbs.) - DE - Florida State - Likely destined as a pass rushing OLB in a 3-4 defense, Wimbley has shown excellent pursuit skills and explosiveness off the edge. Needs to add some strength and stay free of injuries. Terrific upside.
  
  Wimbley lined up at defensive end in college, but he is an excellent fit at outside linebacker in the Browns' base 3-4 scheme. He has very good initial quickness, the lateral mobility to avoid blockers in the backfield and shows good closing speed.
  
  Wimbley recorded 7.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in his senior season, his first as a full-time starter. He had 2 sacks in the Seminoles’ season-opening victory over Miami and was tied with top overall draft pick Mario Williams of North Carolina State for the ACC sack lead before suffering a knee injury last fall and missing three games.
  
  The injury forced Wimbley to the sideline for the first time in his career; he played in 49 of 52 career games. He returned for the Orange Bowl and played in the Senior Bowl in January.

• Round 2 - (34 from New Orleans) - D'Qwell Jackson (6' 0" 231 lbs.) - ILB - Maryland - Finished his college career on a very positive note, as he finished as the NCAA tackles leader with 137... Also registered four sacks during the year... Unanimous All-ACC selection and ACC Defensive Player of the Year... Projects as an interior linebacker in the NFL... Ended his career with a great game against NC State, making 13 tackles with 2 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss... Finished his Terrapin career with 447 tackles overall.

• Round 2 - (43) - Traded to New Orleans with C Jeff Faine for the 34th overall pick

• Round 3 - (78) - Travis Wilson (6'3" 213 lbs.) - WR - Oklahoma - All-Conference WR who had a down season in 2005 but bounced back during Senior Bowl week. Effective at blocking defenders from the ball and displays good eye/hand coordination. Not a deep threat, and needs to improve route-running skills to be an effective NFL receiver.

Day 2:

• Round 4 - (110) - Leon Williams (6'3" 240 lbs.) - ILB - Miami(FL) - Strengths: Has good measurable skills and outstanding athleticism. Shows sideline-to-sideline range, and is an explosive tackler. Has the size and strength to take on offensive linemen. Has experience at all three linebacker spots, but is best suited to play outside because of height and upright style. Shows the change-of-direction skills to be effective in coverage. age.
  
  Weaknesses: Lacks instincts and awareness. Is too slow to diagnose plays. Lacks fundamentals and technique. Gets out of position, and takes bad angles to the ball. Often over pursues and overruns plays. Doesn't use hands well to either shed blockers or hold ground at the point of attack. Tends to go for highlight-reel hits and thus misses too many open-field tackles. Bites on play-action fakes. Has had some nagging injuries.
   

• Round 4 - (112 from Atlanta) - Isaac Sowells (6'3" 330 lbs.) - OT - Indiana - Sowells played tackle at Indiana, but he is better suited to play guard in the NFL because of his lack of size and consistency blocking in space. A good athlete with the foot quickness to get out of stance and set to block quickly -- is able to re-direct to adjust in pass protection in a small area. Has long, strong arms, and when he uses them aggressively, he can jolt defensive linemen upright and holds his ground against bull rushers -- once he locks up with both hands on defensive linemen, he can usually hold his man in place and keep him out of the play. Not an aggressive run blocker, but rather more of a positional, seal blocker who does not consistently stay over his feet and maintain the block. More than anything, Sowells has the natural size, strength and athletic ability to start at guard in the NFL, but he needs to use better blocking technique and footwork. Overall, Sowells is going to be a draft pick because of his natural athleticism, but will struggle to become anything more than a solid backup unless his level of competitiveness and aggressiveness greatly improves.

• Round 5 - (145) - Jerome Harrison (5' 10" 200 lbs.) - RB - Washington State - A junior college transfer who will probably have to prove himself again at the pro level. Small, elusive runner who follows blocks well and can burst out of a hole into daylight. Terrific balance. Solid receiver with good hands. Can't move the pile and won't break a lot of tackles. Third-down back prospect. 1900 yards rushing last season at Washington State behind a less than stellar offensive line.

• Round 5 - (152 from New England) - DeMario Minter (6' 198 lbs.) - CB - Georgia - Good size for a cornerback, but on film he looks and plays like a short corner and can be pushed and muscled by big receivers. He consistently comes up quickly in run support, will make hard tackles and consistently get his man down out in space. Overall, Minter might slide in the draft, but he should eventually become a good starting NFL cornerback, and perhaps a very valuable cornerback because of his ability to be good in all areas of coverage and in run support. Additionally, he could become a good special-teams player early in his career while he works his way into the starting lineup.

• Round 6 - (180) - Lawrence Vickers (6' 2" 235 lbs.) - FB - Colorado - Aggressive triple-threat fullback offering a variety of skills. Quick off the snap, displays good vision and plays with solid pad level. Jolts opponents at the point and is aggressive in all aspects. Effective ball-handler who breaks tackles, picking up yardage off initial contact. Contorts to the errant throw as a pass-catcher, making the reception away from his frame. He has marginal blocking strength and struggles removing linebackers. A team player and leader on the field, Vickers is an offensive threat who would thrive in a West Coast system. Should also be a solid special-teams player.

• Round 6 - (181 from Baltimore) - Babatunde Oshinowo (6' 2" 310 lbs.) - DT - Stanford - Aggressive, compact lineman who can be used at defensive tackle or on the nose. Displays an excellent first step, gets penetration up the field and consistently doubled by opponents in the middle of the line. Fights to get off blocks, gives tremendous effort and has a burst of closing speed. Consistently plays with good pad level. Slow shedding blocks at the point. Best in a straight line and lacks a quick change of direction. He's a lineman who occupies blockers and allows linebackers to make plays, Oshinowo has a classic nose tackle's build and projects well at the next level.

• Round 7 - (222) - Justin Hamilton (6' 3" 230 lbs.) - S -  Virginia Tech - That's a big strong safety. He can hit a hard, and he is smart. Also a good character guy. Fast for a guy his size, but not blazing for a Safety. He is getting better and better. He is more than "practice squad fodder", he was a starter and mainstay on the best defense in college football last season. Hamilton played running back, wide receiver and safety during his Virginia Tech career. He is a good athlete with a good attitude, which is attractive to NFL teams.

April 23, 2005 - Cleveland Browns Draft Picks:

Day 1:

• Round 1 - (3rd pick overall)  - Braylon Edwards WR Michigan - 6'3" 211 lbs. - Braylon Edwards, 22, posted 85 catches for 1,138 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior in 2003 and topped that performance in 2004, setting school records with 97 catches for 1,330 yards and 15 touchdowns. Romeo Crennel said they chose Edwards for his competitive attitude, big game/play ability which stretches defenses and his ability to block aggressively downfield. "We got an aggressive receiver,” Crennel said. “He’ll go get the ball and pluck it out of the air. He’s an aggressive blocker, too. He fits into our scheme. He’s a hard-working, talented, aggressive guy.” Edwards was the top guy on the Browns draft board.

• Round 2"2">Round 2 - (34) - Brodney Pool S - SIGNED -  Oklahoma - 6'1 207 lbs. - Pool led Oklahoma with 92 tackles last season. He also had two interceptions, nine pass breakups, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick. He had seven interceptions, two sacks, six pass breakups, a forced fumble and a blocked kick as a sophomore in 2003. GM Phil Savage called Pool a “complete” safety, saying he was equally adept at covering the pass and stopping the run.

• Round 3 - (67) - Charlie Frye QB - SIGNED -  Akron - 6' 4" 217 lbs. - A signal caller who’s displayed progress throughout his college career, Frye offers both the physical and mental intangibles for the next level. More athletic than given credit for and can be used in a variety of passing offenses. "Growing up, I've always been a Browns fan," said Frye, a native of Willard, located in Western Ohio. "I watched Bernie Kosar play. He was my favorite player. "When Phil Savage called, it was a dream come true to play for Cleveland." Frye now has a chance to play for the team he has rooted for since he was a boy, and to follow in the footsteps of his boyhood hero. Frye owns 54 Akron passing records and is the highest drafted player in Zips history.

Day 2:

• Round 4 - (103) - Antonio Perkins CB - SIGNED -  Oklahoma - 5' 11" 188 lbs. - Antonio is also a punt return specialist. Perkins returned eight punts for touchdowns during his college career, tying the NCAA record. In 47 games with the Sooners, Perkins started 30 times and finished with 125 tackles (92 solos) and 11 interceptions. He also totaled five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one sack and 21 pass breakups.

• Round 5 - (139) - David McMillan DE - SIGNED -  Kansas - 6'3" 246 lbs. - McMillan is a defensive end/outside linebacker “tweener” who played at Kansas. McMillan was a first-team All-Big 12 pick last fall after recording a team-high seven sacks, 37 tackles and 13 tackles for loss as a defensive end. McMillan had 15 sacks in his KU career.

• Round 6 - (176) - Nick Speegle OLB - SIGNED -  New Mexico 6'6", 243 lbs. - Speegle never missed a game in his four years as a starter at New Mexico and was a first-team All-Mountain West Conference pick last fall. Speegle is known as a sure tackler who finished his career with 317 stops, 38 tackles for loss.

• Round 6 from Tampa for Luke McCown - (203) - Andrew Hoffman DT - SIGNED -  Virginia - 6'4" 280 lbs. - Hoffman (6-foot-4, 296) was a three-year starter at nose guard in Virginia's 3-4 defense. He had 52 tackles, five sacks, five pass deflections and a blocked kick last fall.

• Round 7 - (217) - Jon Dunn OT - SIGNED -  Virginia Tech - 6'7" 328 lbs. - Three-year starter named second team All-Conference choice as a senior. Consistently graded out over 80% throughout his college career. Athletic for a big man, Dunn, offers excellent size potential for the next level yet must improve the finer details of his position. At the very least a solid developmental prospect.
  
   

 

April 29, 2004 - Browns Draft Grade

Here are the results of a poll I posted on the Bernie's Insiders web site asking:

Now that the draft is over, how do you think the Browns did over all? Results (total votes = 203): Draft Grade Votes/Percentage   A  39 / 19.2%    B  103 / 50.7%    C  43 / 21.2%    D  14 / 6.9%    F  4 / 2.0%

April 2004 - Cleveland Browns Draft Picks:

All in all I think the Browns had an better than average draft. If I had to grade it, I would say  they earned a C+ or B-.

Day 1:

• Round 1 - (6th pick overall)  - Kellen Winslow Jr. (TE) - Miami (Fla) - 6'4", 251 lbs. - The Browns traded the #7 pick and the 2004 2nd rd. pick (37) to Detroit for the #6 pick. Word is that other teams were negotiating with Detroit to move up to pick Kellen. This is why the Browns gave up a 2nd round pick to move up one spot. It is widely speculated that Kellen will make an immediate impact as a starter and should make the Pro Bowl several times in his career. As some have said, by mid season everyone will forget that we traded our 2nd round pick to move up one spot and some might believe by then that we actually got a bargain.

• Round 1 - (7th) - Traded to Detroit for 1st (6)

• Round 2 - (37) - Traded to Detroit for 1st (6)

• Round 2 - (59) - Sean Jones (S) Georgia - 6'1" 215 lbs. Received pick in Trade with Colts. The Browns traded their 3rd (68), 5th (141) and a 6th (173) for the Colts 2nd (59) and 5th (161) picks. Sean was considered by many to be the 2nd best safety in the draft after Sean Taylor, who the Redskins took at #5. He should push for a starting job right out of the gate and has punt return skills as well.

• Round 3 - (68) - Traded to Colts for 2nd (59)

Day 2:

• Round 4 - (106) - Luke McCown (QB) - Louisiana Tech - 6'4", 208 lbs.

• Round 5 - (141) -Traded to Colts for 2nd (59)

• Round 5 - (161) - Amon Gordon (DT) - Stanford - 6'2" 302 lbs. Received pick in Trade to Colts for 2nd (59). According to Bernie's Insiders, when the Browns had Amon in for a workout they also tried him at the fullback position. Amon was a running back in his senior year of high school running for over 1,300 yards and 19 TDs. this could make for some very interesting short yardage situations this season.

• Round 6 - (173) -Traded to Colts for 2nd (59)

• Round 6 - (176) - Kirk Chambers (LT) - Stanford - 6'7" 309 lbs. Received pick from Buffalo for Mark Campbell

• Round 7 - (208) - Adimchinobi (Joe) Echemandu (RB) - California - 5'11" 226 lbs. Should make a decent contribution on special teams as a return man. He was projected as a possible late 4th rounder so we may have picked up a sleeper. Don't forget, William Green could get in trouble again and would be suspended if he did. This may have been a pretty wise pick.

 

April 2003 - Cleveland Browns Draft Picks:

Day 1: Although Faine and Thompson look like pretty good picks, it seems the Browns may have been able to do much better considering some of the players that were on the board when the Browns picked. In particular, the Browns passed on Ohio State safety Michael Doss in the 2nd only to pick perhaps the worst rated safety in the draft in the 3rd round. I certainly hope these guys pan out because I, for one, am not very impress by the Browns 2003 draft selections this far.

• Signed Round 1 - (21st pick overall) Jeff Faine - Notre Dame, Center, 6'3" 303 lbs.
  This guy looks to be a darn good pick but I thought we were all set at the Center position. Rated as the 4th best offensive lineman and the top center in this draft by ESPN

• Round 2 - (52nd) Chaun Thompson - West Texas A&M, Linebacker, 6'2" 240 lbs.
  I'd have rather had Michael Doss here but this guy looks solid considering this is a weak draft for linebackers. Rated as the 9th best linebacker in this draft by ESPN. Here's a good story about Chaun Thompson.

• Round 3 - (84th) Chris Crocker - Marshall, Safety/CB, 6'0" 194 lbs.
  Not sure what the Browns were thinking here but Chris Crocker is the 50th rated Safety by Sports Illustrated. I hope there is something to this guy because I had a had time finding this guy's name listed anywhere. Seems to me they might have been able to pick Chris Crocker up as an undrafted free agent after the draft. There were many higher rated safeties and corners on the board.

Day 2:The Browns seemed to be back on track and off to a good start on Day 2 with the Lee Suggs pick in the 4th. Unfortunately the Browns then smoked that wacky weed again and went off into obscurity in the 5th round by picking a long snapper. I case you don't recall, after Ryan Kuehl left in free agency, the Browns actually signed a long snapper. Clearly this wasn't good enough because we had to pick one in the 5th round who would have likely bee available in the sixth. Ugh! The Michael Lehan pick seems O.K. but for some reason I get the feeling he is kind of "Percy Ellsworth"-ish.

• Round 4 - (115th) Lee Suggs - Virginia Tech, Running Back, 6'0", 2002 lbs.
  I see this as a pretty smart pick. Jamal White now becomes expendable since Lee Suggs is almost an exact but cheaper clone of Jamal. The downside is that Lee tore his left knee ACL in 2001 and missed the season but these days that almost seems the rule rather than the exception. On the other hand, Lee rushed for 1255 yards last season. Rated as the 7th best running back in this draft by ESPN. I think Lee Suggs will be a deadly back-up to William Green. Folks, 2 seasons ago we had nothing but questions about our running game. Now, there is no doubt, this this pick we will have arguably the best trio of backs in the NFL. (Trivia - Lee Suggs' sister was my son's Kindergarten teacher)

• Signed Round 5 - (142 from Minn.)Ryan Pontbriand -  Rice, Center/Long Snapper, 6'1½", 245 lbs.
  Folks, this guy was so obscure they don't initially have a link for him on NFL.com or Pro football weekly! Best I could find was a reference to him being the top long snapper prospect at www.longsnap.com - look down to the middle of the page.

• Round 5 - (152) Michael Lehan - Minnesota, Cornerback 6'0", 196 lbs.
  Corner is a position of need for the Browns. Everything I can find says this guy is fast, unfortunately I keep thinking of "Percy Ellsworth" when I read about Michael Lehan. Here is the NFL.com write-up. He was also mentioned on the honorable mention list of ESPN's Best Available for Day 2 of the draft.

• Round 6 - (195) Antonio Garay - Boston College, Defensive End, 6' 3", 295 lbs.
  The write-up from NFL.com on Antonio makes him sound like a raw version of Jamir Miller. I think the Browns may have been better suited to picking in an area of need such as OL, CB, S however Antonio looks to be a solid and decent value pick for the 6th round.