It’s about that time of year where the CheddaKing lays out the plan that Mr. Farmer needs to follow if he’d like the Browns to play in Super Bowl LII (February 4th, 2018).

Disclaimer for all the Browns fans that begged for Manziel last year and want to trade-up for Mariota this year: Exit now. You ain't gonna like what you see.

12. Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

19. Cameron Erving, C, Florida State

The top-rated center in the draft should be available here. With Pro-bowl center Alex Mack’s more-than-probable departure in 2016 via free agency, Erving will be able to step in as the starter next season if necessary. For now, he’ll add depth to the offensive line of a team whose season fell apart with breaking of one leg. Erving, a two-time Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner (awarded to the ACC’s top lineman), at center in 2014 and left tackle in 2013, could compete for the starting right tackle position and backup Mack at Center in 2015.

43. Tre Jackson, OG, Florida State

Again, I direct you to October 19th when a lack of depth on the offensive line exposed the Cleveland Browns.

77. Nick O'Leary, TE, Florida State

A tenacious blocker and solid receiver, the 8th ranked TE prospect should be available at 77 and could be a steal, especially as the reigning John Mackey Award winner (awarded to the nation’s best tight end). With Jordan Cameron’s departure this spring, TE is a big need for a team with a young quarterback.

111. Markus Golden, OLB, Missouri

115. Deontay Greenberry, WR, Houston

WR is an obvious need to the Kidd, but I think it was partially and sufficiently addressed (for now) in Free Agency, with the acquisitions of Brian Hartline and Dwayne Bowe. I would still like to acquire some young talent in the draft, and Deontay Greenberry was very impressive at his pro day, registering 4.5 speed. More importantly, he has "an ability to make challenging adjustments to poor throws" (NFL.com draft analysis), something that can only help a second-year quarterback.

147. Cam Thomas, CB, Western Kentucky

188. Darius Kilgo, DT, Maryland

As Tom Reed of Cleveland.com has accurately pointed out, the defensive line (once arguably the deepest unit on the team) struggled in 2014 due to injury. Adding depth (here and with their first pick) can only help a team that ranked dead last in rush defense.

201. Mark Glowinski, OG, West Virginia

229. Addison Richards, WR, Regina

That's how the draft is going to shake out for the Brownies. Period.

Lynn Swann: "That's very interesting. How'd you come up with that guess?"

Vicki Vallencourt: "Guess? That ain't no guess! That's what it's gonna be!"

The above is a very AFC North draft. It’s time the Browns start building their team like the rest of the division does. A team presumably won’t be representing its division in the playoffs after going 2-4 within it (something the Browns have done continually over the last few years).

Some of you may be wondering "Where is the Quarterback?", or "Why aren’t we trading up for Marcus Mariota?" Sorry, I don’t believe in drafting a first-round quarterback two years in a row. Nor do I believe in giving up on such a high pick after 7 quarters of play. In 2015, we are going to roll with the 5’11" running quarterback (that most of the people in Cleveland cried tears of joy for once drafted, after begging all spring for him), in a league where a 6’4" pure-passing quarterback just won his 4th Super Bowl.

Why? Well, there were no teams in the playoffs this year that had two first-round QBs on their depth chart (let alone two first-round quarterbacks that they selected in consecutive years). I don’t think people realize how detrimental it is to re-draft at the same position in the first round 3 out of 4 years (Weeden…..Manziel……WhicheverQuarterbackTheMediaIsBeggingForIn2015). Those are picks that could’ve been first-round, elite weapons or protection for the eventual quarterback.

I’d prefer to build the team for at least one more year before addressing the quarterback position.

Best case scenario: Manziel becomes everything that most Northeast Ohioans thought he could be.

Worst case scenario: With a 2-14 record heading into the 2016 Draft, Johnny drives us straight to….

Connor Cook City

Population: Christian Hackenberg

Mayor: Cardale Jones

"The sh*t's chess, it ain't checkers." – Alonzo Harris.





