[Notorious C.L.E.]

I am happier with this mock off-season. The last one was iffy, as I didn’t like some of the fits, but those were the only real values there at the time.

2007 Free Agency

Re-Sign

Hank Fraley | C | Cleveland Browns
Hank Fraley was the bright spot of the line last year. With uncertainty rising on the LeCharles Bentley situation, it would be very smart to ink Fraley to a multi-year deal as a center/versatile reserve lineman. Proposed Deal: $1.75 million, 2-years.

Sign

Adalius Thomas | SAM | Baltimore Ravens
Adalius Thomas is a beast, which general manager Phil Savage is all too aware of himself. In my opinion, he is one of the most underrated players in the league. He fits the Browns scheme to a tee and would wreak havoc all over the field. If I were the Browns, I would make him the highest paid linebacker without question. Proposed Deal: $32 million, 4-years.

Nate Clements | CB | Buffalo Bills
Supposedly, a source close to Nate Clements said that the Browns are far and away his desired destination in free agency. Clements is a top ten cornerback in the NFL and would give the Browns an excellent tandem of cornerbacks that can cover well, an increasingly valuable commodity around the league. Proposed Deal: $36 million, 6-years.

Kris Dielman | LG | San Diego Chargers
All indications put the Browns as hot on the tail of Kris Dielman, who is a prototypical left guard. The Browns were downright hideous on the interior last season, and an athletic, talented body like Dielman could go a long way in solidifying the line for years to come. Proposed Deal: $25 million, 5-years.

2007 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns trade the third pick overall in the 2007 NFL Draft to the Minnesota Vikings for the seventh, thirty-ninth, and seventy-first picks overall.

Round 1, Pick 7 – Adam Carriker | SDE | Nebraska
While Adrian Peterson would still probably be there at the pick, Adam Carriker is the bigger need and the safer selection. He is well-built, with a strong upper and lower body, but he still possesses good quickness for his premier size. He packs a strong initial punch, maintains his gaps, and plays with the wider base required when speaking of a 3-4 defensive end.

Round 2, Pick 36 – Joe Staley | LT | Central Michigan
Joe Staley has absolutely incredible athleticism for his size. In ten years, he could very well end up the best left tackle of this class. He has some of the best footwork in the draft this year, and has shown more than capable to use proper technique. His upside is what really makes him attractive right now, and while he needs to add more muscle mass and improve hand placement, he could still be picked this high.

Round 2, Pick 39 – Justin Blalock | RG | Texas
Justin Blalock is a near perfect fit at right guard and an outstanding compliment to Kris Dielman. He plays with the nasty mean streak that coaches love in offensive linemen and his power is fairly unrivaled. He engages his blocks and drives them back, wearing down his man over the course of a game. Putting him at right guard masks a lot of his perceived weaknesses.

Round 3, Pick 67 – Ikaika Alama-Francis | WDE | Hawaii
Ikaika Alama-Francis has a deep well of potential with his physical tools that is waiting to be tapped into. He has a non-stop motor and is relentless in pursuit as well as attack the quarterback. He has a large frame, and could even add more weight if needed. He is strong at the point of attack and very good against the run. While he is not a dynamic pass rusher per se, he has a very nice swim move and can add more moves to his repertoire as he comes along.

Round 3, Pick 72 – Brandon Jackson | RB | Nebraska
Brandon Jackson has a volatile stock right now, but he could end up being a steal for some lucky team. Jackson has respectable size at running back, but his shiftiness and slipperiness are what separates him. He has the ability to stop on a dime, change directions, and explode. He has deceptive power and shows willingness to run inside with toughness.

Round 4, Pick 100 – Troy Smith | QB | OhioState
Troy Smith, rightly or wrongly, has experienced a dramatic fall in stock since the National Championship drubbing. His height is far from ideal, but it isn’t at the top of my list for concerns, because he has ample girth to prevent injuries and does a fine job at finding throwing windows. He has a live arm and adds a dual-threat dimension to an offense. His accuracy is solid and he rarely makes decisions; however, he has a wind-up delivery that raises legitimate question marks and his mechanics tend to get sloppy. My heart tells me that Troy Smith will overcome once again, but my mind tells me that he needs an array of playmakers around him in order to succeed as a starting quarterback.

Round 5, Pick 131 – Tarrell Brown | CB | Texas
Tarrell Brown has the athletic ability, attitude, size, and speed that make him project favorably to the NFL. Character concerns will ultimately drop his stock, and deservingly so, but his talent on the gridiron is certainly valuable. He has very good size and applies the jam very effectively, but still maintains fluid hips and good speed to boot. He is a stud in run support and plays with aggressiveness, though that can also be his Achilles heel.

Round 6, Pick 164 – Walter Thomas | NT | NW Mississippi JC
Walter Thomas has galactic potential as a 3-4 NT, as he weighs in at a deceiving 6-4, 370 lbs. He is as strong as bull, but is light on his feet and reportedly runs a sub-5.0 forty. He is cut and does not carry the body fat one would assume with a man of his stature. He is the definition of raw, but he has veteran Ted Washington and 3-4 maestro Romeo Crennel to bring him along. He is simply freakish.

Round 7, Pick 195 – Kyle Young | OL | FresnoState
Kyle Young’s stock has plummeted after intelligence questions, but he still warrants a flier as a reserve lineman that can play multiple positions, because he never seemed football illiterate to me. He has a tough mentality and the versatility to contribute as a tackle, guard, or center. As Browns fans know too well, depth is priceless along the entire offensive line.

[Lefty Noob]

Fraley is definitely a must now, with Bentley likely done, and it looks like Thomas has a better than average chance of signing with Cleveland. I'd like to see it happen -- Romeo needs a defensive stud to work with. Must say, though, that I disagree with Adam Carriker as the 1st round pick. There's some debate about exactly where this guy could go, but if the Browns trade down to #7 and LSU safety LaRon Landry is on the board, they HAVE to take him.