The Cleveland Browns picked the top cornerback in the draft on Thursday when they selected Joe Haden. In day two of the 2010 NFL draft the Cleveland Browns continues to stockpile players adding a safety, running back, quarterback, and guard. The Cleveland Browns may have the most successful Friday of any team.
T.J. Ward
The Cleveland Browns started the second round of the NFL draft by continuing to solidify their secondary. Scout.com listed Ward as a four star NFL prospect, the 10th best safety in the draft, and the 90th best prospect in the draft. Three of the top four safeties had already been selected. Yes the Browns could have selected a higher rank safety, but perhaps Ward fit their needs better. The 5’11 201lb safety out of Oregon along with Haden does improve the Browns secondary.
Montario Hardesty
The Cleveland Browns selected Montario Hardesty a 6′ 212lb running back out of Tennessee. Scout.com lists Hardesty as the fifth best running back in the draft, a four star prospect, and the74th best prospect in the draft. Higher ranked running backs were on the board, however the Browns decided Hardesty fits their needs better. Cleveland can not complain coming away with a top five running back in the second round.
Colt McCoy
The Cleveland Browns had a big need for a quarterback and they may have found one with Colt McCoy. Scout.com lists McCoy as a five star prospect, the fourth best quarterback in the draft, and the 50th best prospect in the draft. The Browns grabbed the Texas star in the third round and may have found their quarterback for years to come. At the very least Colt McCoy is a great value pick and hopefully for the Browns a prospect with a lot of potential.
Shawn Lauvao
The Browns may have gone on a stretch with their last pick of Friday night selecting Arizona State guard Shawn Lauvao. However, Lauvao possess great size being 6’3 and 315lbs. Scout.com considers Shawn a three star prospect and the 181st best prospect in the draft. Scout.com also considers Lauvao the eighth best guard in the NFL draft. Four of the guards ranked higher than Shawn had been picked by this point and Lauvao may have been the guard Cleveland wanted to add. Cleveland does not get another pick until the 160th pick and Lauvao may have been gone by that point if he wasn’t grabbed.
Summary:
After two days and three rounds of the NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns are a better team than they were before the draft. The Browns are clearly stronger on defense. The Browns have a potential star cornerback in Joe Haden from Thursday night. The Browns secondary continued to strengthen with the addition of safety D.J Ward. You can argue the Browns may have been able to get a better prospect at safety. However, the addition of a top 10 safety in the draft is a nice pick up. Cleveland approved on offense as well. The Browns added a top five running back prospect in Montario Hardesty who should be able to contribute right away. Cleveland added depth to their offensive line with Shawn Lauvao who should help the running game. The Browns improved for the future as well if Colt McCoy develops into a decent NFL quarterback in a couple of years. If Colt develops better than decent, then the Browns would have made a steal in the NFL Draft.
Sources:
Scout.com
fox sports
