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Cleveland Browns’ 5 Biggest Draft Needs Heading Into 2015 NFL Combine

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Cleveland's 5 Biggest Draft Needs Heading Into 2015 NFL Combine

NFL: Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns had a promising start to the 2014 NFL season. The 6-3 Browns were positioned to finally end their 12-year drought and make a deep run in the playoffs. Their Super Bowl aspirations were short lived when injuries, poor quarterback play and locker room drama led the Browns to a mid-season collapse after Week 10. Cleveland is in a ground-up restoration and will be looking to fill its biggest needs through the draft.

5. Center

NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns - Alex Mack
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

5. Center

NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns - Alex Mack
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

With the injuries to starting center Alex Mack last season, the Cleveland Browns were forced to promote lineman Chris Seymour from the practice squad and shift lineman John Greco over to center. Unfortunately for the Browns, Greco did not live up to expectations and the offensive line suffered. The Browns would be wise to consider an upgrade at the reserve center position, if not finding his eventual replacement.

4. Linebackers

NFL: Preseason-St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

4. Linebackers

NFL: Preseason-St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland's inside linebacking corps took a hit last year when starter Karlos Dansby went down with a torn bicep in Week 11. Dansby returned to the lineup five games later, but by then Cleveland's season was already circling the drain. If the Browns wish to have a successful defense next year, finding young and talented linebackers should be a priority this offseason.

3. Quarterback

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Carolina Panthers - Johnny Manziel
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

3. Quarterback

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Carolina Panthers - Johnny Manziel
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns are in another quarterback crisis after drafting Johnny Manziel in 2014. Is anyone surprised? Sources said that Manziel lacked commitment and preparation before games last season. He is also dealing with personal issues and voluntarily entered treatment. With the expected departure of Brian Hoyer and the disappointment surrounding Manziel, it would behoove the Cleveland Browns to select a more “ripened” quarterback in the NFL Draft.

2. Defensive Line

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

2. Defensive Line

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns were extremely bad at stopping the run last year. With injuries to the defense aside, the lack of a big talented nose tackle to clog the middle was sorely missed throughout the season. Their defense allowed more rushing yards than any other team in 2014, with 12 of their 16 games featuring a 100+ yard rusher by an opposing offense. The 6-foot-4, 340-pound nose tackle from Texas (Malcolm Brown) would be the perfect fit for Cleveland.

1. Wide Receiver

NFL: Preseason-Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions - Josh Gordon
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

1. Wide Receiver

NFL: Preseason-Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions - Josh Gordon
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland has been lacking a primary receiver since Josh Gordon was suspended for not complying with the NFL substance abuse policy in 2014. The troubled wideout was set to return this offseason, but in failing a league-issued drug screening in January, Gordon has again been suspended for at least another year with no pay. The Browns are again left with finding a replacement for Gordon and filling their No. 1 need through the draft.

James Forsythe is an NFL contributor at www.RantSports.com. You can Follow him on Twitter @9erJim or add him to your network on Google

 

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