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The Browns 2008 Draft – 4/28/08
Not as much action then year’s past, but some interesting move nonetheless

There was no pick in the first ten spots in the draft. No first-round pick. Not even a pick in the first three rounds. This lack of action on Day 1 of the 2008 Draft, seemed surreal for the Browns, but they made some intriguing moves on Day 2.

Addressing a need, they selected Beau Bell, a coveted inside linebacker who appears to be bred for the 3-4 defense. He is a tacking machine and may make an impact on the team immediately.

In the final two rounds, the Browns selected Ahtyba Rubin (defensive tackle, Iowa State), Paul Hubbard (wide receiver, Wisconsin) and Alex Hall (defensive end, St. Augustine). All three come into positions that don’t have a great deal of depth for Cleveland, so all have a chance of making the team.

While cornerback appeared to be the most pressing need for the Browns, the most perplexing and worrisome move that General Manager Phil Savage made was trading next year’s third-round pick for the Cowboys’ 111^th overall pick in order to select Tight End Martin Rucker. Back that up a second – a tight end? Don’t the Browns already have one of the best tight ends in the game?

Kellen Winslow has been a sportswriters dream during his young career. With thoughtless comments, the motorcycle accident, injuries – topped with his recent request to restructure his contract – Winslow has triggered his fair share of headaches. While having a productive 2007, he seemed banged up much of the year, and is now coming off another knee surgery.

Steve Heiden, as solid as any backup there is in the NFL, also was under the knife recently, leaving the under-achieving Darnell Dinkins as the only healthy tight end.

Enter Martin Rucker. Rucker broke the Big 12 record for career receptions by a tight end with 203 and, during his senior season of 2007, set a Missouri record with 84 receptions for 834 yards and eight touchdowns. Pretty impressive college numbers, but where does he fit into the equation?

Early reports say Savage and Co. are looking to have him and Winslow on the field simultaneously. This could be true, as the Browns have morphed into a dynamic offense with numerous weapons. Certainly two potent tight ends would be better than one and would keep opposing defenses questioning their every move.

But there is room for cynicism here. Winslow’s aforementioned antics were brushed aside in 2007, and it seemed he was becoming the premiere tight end everyone knew he could be. His stats were superb, but the attitude resurfaced with the contract talk, and it needs to go. Savage may find his recent actions bothersome and disrespectful after they stood by him as he almost lost his career to motorcycle tricks.

Who knows what the plan is. Obviously Winslow will be back in 2008, and potentially for the foreseeable future. Maybe loosing picks for next year opens the door to trading Winslow for more draft picks in 2009 if Rucker outplays him this year. Maybe that is just far-fetched speculation.

But Rucker’s presence certainly changes a few things. Hopefully, that presence only makes the Browns’ Pro Bowl tight end that much better.

Tags: darnell dinkens, kellen winslow, phil savage, steve heiden