The Cleveland Browns have quite a bit of choices for their choice at number six in the NFL Draft. They were a scrappy, tough team that was unfortunate enough to play in a division with two playoff teams. With both top name quarterbacks off the board, defense is probably the way to go. This is what Scott Howard was thinking as we now reveal his selection on behalf of the Browns.
Da'Quan Bowers, DE, North Carolina
For the Browns there seem to be two pretty well acknowledged needs -- a rush end who can fit into their new 4-3 defensive scheme and a wide receiver to pair with second year QB Colt McCoy. If A.J. Green is here at six, then I think that winds up being the pick for Cleveland, but since he went to in-state rival Cincinnati in our mock draft that's not an option. While I'm sure McCoy will be pushing new head coach Pat Shurmur to reach a little bit for Alabama's Julio Jones -- the pick here is Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers.
Bowers had a mere 16 sacks in Clemson's 13 games last season and is basically a monster off the edge. This is a guy who was a projected number one pick when mock drafts started popping up a couple months ago and if not for questions about his recovery from meniscus surgery he'd probably still be right up there. Provided Bowers isn't damaged goods, the Browns will be thrilled to get to him at the sixth pick to help anchor their new D.
Certainly Julio Jones is a consideration here since McCoy will probably be sending Shurmur desperate late night texts all the way up until draft night and the Browns will also take a hard look at Marcell Darius if he continues to slip (although it's not a huge need) but Bowers makes sense.
For tomorrow...the San Francisco 49ers and Jess Root will reveal the number seventh pick of the 2011 Draft.
2011 SBN AZ Mock Draft recap:
1- Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn (Jess Root)
2- Denver Broncos: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M (Cory Williams)
3- Buffalo Bills: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri (Scott Howard)
4- Cincinnati Bengals: AJ Green, WR, Georgia (JR)