What I hope happens

My wish list for the Browns first pick in order of preference:

1. Trade down (1 to 10 spots) and pick up a couple extra first day picks
2. Draft Joe Thomas
3. Draft Calvin Johnson (and possibly trade him)
4. Draft Adrian Peterson
5. Draft Brady Quinn
6. Draft Jamarcus Russell
   

If the Browns do trade down a few spots, they still may be able to get one of the players above. If they trade down 6 or more spots, I think they might draft OT Levi Brown or a defensive lineman or cornerback.

If the Browns take anyone other than Joe Thomas in the 1st, they should definitely take an offensive lineman in the second, possibly G Ben Grubbs of Auburn, and then take a CB or D-lineman in the 3rd.

If the Browns do take Thomas in the 1st, they should take a CB or D-lineman in the 2nd, and RB Michael Bush of Louisville in the 3rd.

Peterson stock drop?

If this story in SI is true, than Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson might no longer be a top 5 pick. According to the story, Peterson re-injured his collarbone in the Fiesta Bowl, and might require surgery to properly heal. If so, he might be sidelined until the beginning of training camp or longer.

Pictured is the dive that broke his collarbone back in October.

One things for sure, this year's draft is anything but boring and predictable.

Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma

If the Browns don't get Joe Thomas, this would be my next choice. It is an area of need for the Browns, and until a good offensive line is in place, I think that generally a RB would be able to withstand the physical and mental beatings that come with playing behind the Cleveland line better than a QB could (Tim Couch comes to mind).

Adrian Peterson is an awesome combination of power and speed, and has been compared to LaDanian Tomlinson and Eric Dickerson. He could be the franchise back the Browns have been searching for since returning to the league, provided the Browns have a good offensive line and he can stay healthy. Both of these are in doubt. Peterson has had a lot of serious injuries, ala Courtney Brown, but has been plagued by a lot of nagging, non-career threatening injuries (more like a Lee Suggs). My biggest fear about drafting him is that he will constantly be nursing some ailment, and I'm not the only one. On the other hand, he could be very healthy in the NFL where his immense talent should make him a star.

Draft needs

Looking at the team following the recent free-agent acquisitions, I think the biggest team needs, in order are:

1. Offensive line--free agency made it better, but still no stars.
2. Defensive line--same story. Could use a young end and dominate nose tackle.
3. Cornerback--what seemed to be the strongest spot a year ago has been devastated by injury.
4. Running back--Jamal Lewis is a big question mark and is only signed for 1 season.
5. Quarterback--Neither Charlie Frye or Derek Anderson looked like the answer last season, but between the awful line and change in offensive coordinator even Peyton Manning would have looked bad.
6. Wide receiver--Braylon Edwards is talented, but a distraction last year. Joe Jurevicius is solid but probably only has a few years left. Travis Wilson barely saw the field last year and Tim Carter has yet to live up to his billing.

At CB & DL there are no players worthy of being drafted #3, so unless the Browns trade down, its likely they will take one of the "fab five": QB JaMarcus Russell, QB Brady Quinn, RB Adrian Peterson, OT Joe Thomas, and WR Calvin Johnson.