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Cleveland Browns 2011 NFL Draft: How Andrew Luck's Stanford Return Changes Plans | Bleacher Report
Cleveland Browns 2011 NFL Draft: How Andrew Luck's Stanford Return Changes Plans
After all the early speculation in the media and in many 2010 NFL mock drafts across the Internet, Stanford Cardinals junior quarterback Andrew Luck, who was projected as the No. 1 overall pick in April, is going back to school for the 2011 season.
With this breaking news hitting the web, this changes a lot in the top 10 layout of pretty much every single mock draft.
It also changes a lot for all the teams who are above the Cleveland Browns, who own the No. 6 overall pick, which many fans were hoping would be used to land Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green.
The Browns are in dire need of a big-time weapon on the outside to open up the field on offense, and No. 6 was a prime spot for Green to fall to. But now that Luck is out of the picture, this means that the Carolina Panthers could possibly go with Green at No. 1 overall.
So where does this leave the Browns?
It leaves them sitting at No. 6, hoping for several things.
First, that Auburn defensive lineman Nick Fairley falls into their lap, since an infusion of youth is needed on the line.
Next option could be that Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, who was honored as the top receiver in college in 2010, moves up the boards where the Browns can pick him at No. 6.
Nebraska's Prince Amukamara could be another choice for the Browns at No. 6 and he (along with LSU's Peterson) could start opposite of Joe Haden in 2011.
Donald Miralle/Getty Images
Another option could be the one general manager Tom Heckert really favors, and that is spending the pick on one of the two top cornerbacks in the draft in Nebraska's Prince Amukamara or LSU's Patrick Peterson.
Heckert favors having a defense with two shutdown corners, like he had with the Philadelphia Eagles with Ellis Hobbs and Asante Samuel.
Do not doubt that he could want the same in Cleveland with either Peterson or Amukamara and Joe Haden.
"It's possible for [the] Browns to go CB if Green is off board, Prince or Peterson," tweeted National Football Post's resident college guru, Wes Bunting.
With many pressing needs on both sides of the ball, the Browns can really pick a number of different players depending on how player stock rises and falls between now and April.
But picking another cornerback in the top of the first round for two straight years is another way to have a solid secondary on lockdown for the next five years in Cleveland.
Browns fans should cheer for that to happen, especially with how porous the
secondary has been since 1999.
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I cannot blame Luck or anyone to stay in school. If they stay in school at least they KNOW they will get to play ball next year (and move toward a degree).. Even if you get drafted.. you don't even know if the NFL is having a season next year.. I would stay and play football and get my degree too if I were in his shoes.. He coud get drafted number one then sit on his butt getting fat for 2 years before he even gets to play. The NFL needs to get the CBA done.. or a lot of the juniors will be making the same choice.
Cleveland Browns 2011 NFL Draft: How Andrew Luck's Stanford Return Changes Plans
After all the early speculation in the media and in many 2010 NFL mock drafts across the Internet, Stanford Cardinals junior quarterback Andrew Luck, who was projected as the No. 1 overall pick in April, is going back to school for the 2011 season.
With this breaking news hitting the web, this changes a lot in the top 10 layout of pretty much every single mock draft.
It also changes a lot for all the teams who are above the Cleveland Browns, who own the No. 6 overall pick, which many fans were hoping would be used to land Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green.
The Browns are in dire need of a big-time weapon on the outside to open up the field on offense, and No. 6 was a prime spot for Green to fall to. But now that Luck is out of the picture, this means that the Carolina Panthers could possibly go with Green at No. 1 overall.
So where does this leave the Browns?
It leaves them sitting at No. 6, hoping for several things.
First, that Auburn defensive lineman Nick Fairley falls into their lap, since an infusion of youth is needed on the line.
Next option could be that Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, who was honored as the top receiver in college in 2010, moves up the boards where the Browns can pick him at No. 6.
Nebraska's Prince Amukamara could be another choice for the Browns at No. 6 and he (along with LSU's Peterson) could start opposite of Joe Haden in 2011.
Donald Miralle/Getty Images
Another option could be the one general manager Tom Heckert really favors, and that is spending the pick on one of the two top cornerbacks in the draft in Nebraska's Prince Amukamara or LSU's Patrick Peterson.
Heckert favors having a defense with two shutdown corners, like he had with the Philadelphia Eagles with Ellis Hobbs and Asante Samuel.
Do not doubt that he could want the same in Cleveland with either Peterson or Amukamara and Joe Haden.
"It's possible for [the] Browns to go CB if Green is off board, Prince or Peterson," tweeted National Football Post's resident college guru, Wes Bunting.
With many pressing needs on both sides of the ball, the Browns can really pick a number of different players depending on how player stock rises and falls between now and April.
But picking another cornerback in the top of the first round for two straight years is another way to have a solid secondary on lockdown for the next five years in Cleveland.
Browns fans should cheer for that to happen, especially with how porous the
secondary has been since 1999.
**************************************************************************************************************
I cannot blame Luck or anyone to stay in school. If they stay in school at least they KNOW they will get to play ball next year (and move toward a degree).. Even if you get drafted.. you don't even know if the NFL is having a season next year.. I would stay and play football and get my degree too if I were in his shoes.. He coud get drafted number one then sit on his butt getting fat for 2 years before he even gets to play. The NFL needs to get the CBA done.. or a lot of the juniors will be making the same choice.
