Draft needs focus on defense

Some emphasis has been put on getting a player who has to deal with the Steelers.
BEREA (AP) -- The Cleveland Browns had so many areas to fill a year ago, they could have drafted a player at nearly any position and addressed a problem.
A year into Cleveland's rebuilding, the Browns' needs are more specific. Namely: defense.
It would be no surprise for the Browns to use their No. 12 overall pick in the NFL draft Saturday to help the front seven of their 3-4 defense.
"That would be a good guess," general manager Phil Savage said.
A strong draft this weekend for the Browns would do more than improve their league low ranking in sacks. It would continue the momentum gained from their aggressiveness in free agency, which has generated a buzz that Cleveland could become a factor again in the AFC North.
Ebb not wanted
"We can capitalize on the feeling that people have about the Browns with a solid draft," Savage said.
Savage characterized the Browns' needs as fitting into three categories: players who can pressure the quarterback, stop the run and score points.
He listed one other concern as well -- can the player help them beat the defending Super Bowl champions?
"What is this player's reaction going to be when he goes to Heinz Field as a Cleveland Brown? How is he going to respond?" Savage said. "Is he going to shrink up or stand tall and go toe to toe with a Joey Porter or Ben Roethlisberger?"
Cleveland enters the draft with nine picks following their 6-10 season. They have extra fourth and fifth round picks from the trades of defensive back Chris Crocker and wide receiver Andre Davis.
Bill Rees, Cleveland's director of player personnel, said drafting for the 3-4 is difficult because few colleges run that defense. That forces scouts to project how a player would look in the 3-4, which relies on speedy outside linebackers and a nose tackle who can occupy more than one offensive lineman.
Nice fits
The Browns project the following players as the top outside linebackers for the 3-4: Tamba Hali, Penn State; Darryl Tapp, Virginia Tech; Parys Haralson, Tennessee; Manny Lawson, N.C. State; Rob Ninkovich, Purdue; Mike Kudla, Ohio State, and Kamerion Wimbley, Florida State.
"Wimbley is a poor man's DeMarcus Ware," said Mike Mayock, a draft analyst for the NFL Network. "I think 12 is a little high for Wimbley but he's a guy who would appeal to Cleveland."
Savage and Rees also spoke highly of Oregon's Haloti Ngata, listing him along with Babatunde Oshinowo of Stanford and Gabe Watson of Michigan as the best available nose tackles.
"He's really built for a 3-4 defense," Rees said of Ngata. "He's very powerful, strong. He's going to have some pass rush potential as he begins to mature."
With recently signed free agent nose tackle Ted Washington nearing the end of his career, Mayock sees Ngata as a good fit for Cleveland.
"I think he'll be there at 12," Mayock said. "A few weeks ago I wouldn't have said that. But there's been some question on whether he can push the pocket as a pass rusher. There's also a question about his ability to play at a high level every down."
At defensive end
At defensive end, the Browns list Florida State's Brodrick Bunkley, N.C. State's John McCargo, Northwestern's Barry Cofield and Texas' Rodrique Wright as standouts.
Savage also likes the explosiveness of Florida State linebacker Ernie Sims, but said he may not be an ideal fit for the 3-4.
Savage called Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk the "the safest pick in the entire draft." He then added the Browns have no intention of trading into the top five, where Hawk could be taken by Green Bay.
"If we move two or three spots, that would be one thing, but I can't see us moving into the top five," Savage said. "One of those players would really have to fall out of it and end up at No. 9 or 10."