2012 NFL Mock Draft: The Cleveland Browns Select...

With the fourth pick in the 2012 CSC Community Mock Draft, the Cleveland Browns (represented by Fan since the Aints) select...

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns have so many holes to fill its difficult to pick a starting place. The Browns are arguably in the division that most relies on a running game to win. Without Peyton Hillis, the Browns are left with the dynamic duo of Chris Ogbonnaya and Montario Hardesty. Several blogs and reports have said that Richardson is the best RB to hit the draft since Adrian Peterson. While I am not personally that optimistic, Richardson fills a big hole that the Browns have few other options to fill.

Trent Richardson is a three down back. I'm not a fan of "The Kiper" but he was right saying that Richardson is "a physical freak, he is extraordinarily powerful, explodes from contact, has lower mileage than many third-year studs because he split carries as a freshman and sophomore with Mark Ingram and has developed as a pass-catcher. Richardson is a first-year impact player." The Browns desperately need an impact player. I was kind of surprised to learn thatRichardson is the first RB in SEC history to rush for 20 touchdowns until I started re-watching some of his game film. He is rarely taken down on the first hit and is a beast between the tackles. He has a low center of gravity and is strong enough to shake off defenders.

Justin Blackmon, Morris Claiborne, or Ryan Tannehill are all listed as popular options on the web but these players do not fill as big of a hole as Richardsondoes. Blackmon and Claiborne are easily the best at their positions but their impact on the Browns would be minimal in the short term considering the state the Browns are in. WR and CB are needs for the Browns but there are several quality players that should be available later in the first round or when the Browns pick in the second. The same can't be said for RBs. Tannehill is not good enough to single handedly resurrect the Browns. If the Browns want competition for McCoy it's possible, that Tannehill will be available for the Browns when they use their second first round pick. If not, they could always draft Brandon Weeden in the second round. In my opinion, the two are interchangeable. Better yet, wait for the third round and draft Brock Osweiler from Arizona State. After Luck and Griffinall the QBs in this draft need some work to be game changers.

I have a natural tendency to hate picking RBs high. This is likely caused by flashbacks of who the Saints might have drafted instead of Reggie Bush (i.e. A.J. Hawk). Truthfully, RBs have a short life in the NFL so it's better to get them early in their careers than later on when they're trying to keep the tread on the tires.Richardson had a stellar year at Alabama and is worth the risk for the Browns. The Browns used a lot of their top picks on defense last year so I expect them to switch gears and do the same for offense this year. Drafting Trent Richardson would be a good place to start.