The PD compiled the first slew of mocks together and broke down who the 'experts' say the Browns will take.
Somehow I think we'll these mocks change dramatically before May but here are the early pre-Combine mocks.
http://www.cleveland.com/mock-draft/index.ssf/2014/01/the_nfl_draft_has_a_quarterbac.html
... let's take a look at which way the experts are leaning with the two picks.
ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. has the Browns targeting
two need areas in round one, with an emphasis on offense.
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QB Blake Bortles, Central Florida -
[SIZE=1em][/SIZE]Suffice to say, no coach in Cleveland makes this a pretty difficult projection. While there's plenty of debate in NFL circles regarding which QB in this class has the most upside in terms of overall ability, from a physical standpoint Bortles is at the top of the list. At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, with not elite but good arm strength, and the ability to move both in the pocket and to make plays down the field as a runner, he has a chance to add value and eliminate negative plays with his mobility as he develops as a passer. It goes without saying that Cleveland will look to address its QB situation through the draft or via a trade, and this is potentially a good fit for Bortles.
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RB Carlos Hyde, Ohio State - For one, I think this is a good spot for the Browns to move down and allow a team that really wants a QB to move up and grab one. This is a good spot to go and get a player like Derek Carr. So while it might seem crazy that Cleveland would trade a running back for a first-round pick, then go out and take one with the pick it got in return, it also reflects the fact that this becomes a pretty mobile spot on the board for the Browns, and they do need to get a starting-level RB at some point, perhaps in Round 2."[/SIZE]
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NFL.com's Bucky Brooks released his first mock this week, with a
pair of Aggies landing in Cleveland.[/SIZE]
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QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M -
[SIZE=1em][/SIZE]Johnny Football would energize an organization desperate for a legitimate franchise quarterback.
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WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M -
[SIZE=1em][/SIZE]Why not add Johnny Football's favorite target to the mix to alleviate the pressure on Josh Gordon on the perimeter? Evans would not only alter coverage, but he would give Manziel a jump-ball specialist to lean on in the red zone."
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[SIZE=1em]Dane Brugler of
CBSSports.com sees plenty of help coming on both sides of the ball in his
latest projection.[/SIZE]
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QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M -
Brandon Weeden won't be back in Cleveland, Jason Campbell is a stopgap and while Brian Hoyer is still in the team's long-term plans, he's coming off an ACL injury and Cleveland needs to add a young arm to the mix. Manziel will certainly create colorful discussions between now and May, not only on Twitter and your local bar, but also scouting war rooms around the league. He will be an option for the Browns here.
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ILB C.J. Mosley, Alabama - If the Browns go quarterback at No. 4 overall, their second first round pick is a wildcard with several need areas on the Cleveland roster. And while linebacker isn't tops on that list, if a player like Mosley is still available, he makes sense inside next to D'Qwell Jackson."[/SIZE]
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SI.com's Chris Burke has the Browns forming a dangerous, new
QB-WR tandem in 2014.[/SIZE]
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QB Blake Bortles, Central Florida -
[SIZE=1em][/SIZE]Bortles is the man of the hour in draft circles, with his Fiesta Bowl win putting the capper on a brilliant season. He has a chance to be great at the next level. Right now? I'd say he could be pretty good as a rookie as he undergoes some growing pains. For the Browns, the notion of finally nabbing a franchise quarterback will outweigh any concerns.
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WR Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt -
[SIZE=1em][/SIZE]The Browns nabbed their QB earlier in this mock. Now, they add a terrific receiver for him. Cleveland already boasts one of the league's budding offensive stars in Josh Gordon, and he'd welcome the arrival of Matthews, a polished prospect with a productive college career behind him. Matthews will be capable of starting from the get-go next season."
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CBSSports.com's Rob Rang still sees offensive line help
coming the way of the Browns with their first pick.[/SIZE]
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OT Greg Robinson, Auburn -
[SIZE=1em][/SIZE]Regardless of the identity of Cleveland's next head coach, the Browns are expected to draft a quarterback with this pick. A passionate fan base might love the idea of Johnny Manziel, but the gusts and grass of FirstEnergy Field may not be the best fit for a quarterback so reliant on his mobility and lacking elite size or arm strength. Otherwise, pairing the most dominant run blocker in the draft in Robinson with All Pro left tackle Joe Thomas could give the Browns the bookend tackles to make a quarterback drafted later likelier to enjoy success.
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QB Derek Carr, Fresno State -
[SIZE=1em][/SIZE]Until the identity of the Browns' next head coach is known, projecting which quarterback they'll add in the offseason is going to be difficult. Carr's struggles against Southern Cal in the Vegas Bowl has his stock in flux but he possesses as much arm talent as any quarterback in the 2014 draft class, including projected No. 1 overall pick Teddy Bridgewater."
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[SIZE=1em]Matt Miller of
Bleacher Report says the Browns desire to fix their quarterback position could have them
reaching in May.[/SIZE]
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QB Blake Bortles, Central Florida -
The Browns are desperate for a franchise quarterback but don't rule out Brian Hoyer as the 2014 opening-day starter. That would allow the team to draft a player who needs a little time to develop—like Blake Bortles. The UCF quarterback is a dual-threat star and has a little Andrew Luck or Ben Roethlisberger in his game. He's the type of smart, savvy passer the Browns have needed.
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WR Odell Beckham, LSU -
The Browns grabbed their quarterback at the top of the round, but now they must finish filling out the offense by adding a threat at receiver. The team has a future star in Josh Gordon, but he's one slip-up away from a season-long suspension, and Greg Little continues to disappoint on the other side of the formation. Odell Beckham isn't the biggest guy, but he plays tough over the middle and has a second gear to run away from defenders after the catch. He's an ideal complement for the bigger, stronger Gordon."
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[SIZE=1em]Charlie Campbell, from
Walter Football, is on the same page with so many experts that see a new
QB on the horizon.[/SIZE]
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QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M -
[SIZE=1em][/SIZE]The Browns land their quarterback. With Brett Hundley and Marcus Mariota returning to college, Cleveland probably can't afford to wait until its second first-round pick to take a quarterback. The concern that Manziel (6-1, 200) is undersized is being eased by the quality play of some other short NFL quarterbacks. Drew Brees is a dominant force and future Hall of Famer; Russell Wilson has been phenomenal to help disprove the height requirement. Based off the past two seasons, plenty of teams will be willing to overlook the height issue. However, his maturity is a bigger concern according to sources
[SIZE=1em][/SIZE]. While Manziel's running ability gets a lot of attention, he showed that his passing skills are improved and underrated.
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WR Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State -
[SIZE=1em][/SIZE]The Browns get a mismatch receiver to pair with Josh Gordon. Cleveland wants to have a vertical passing attack, and Benjamin could be a devastating weapon on the other side from Gordon. Benjamin has been a big-time play-maker for the Seminoles this season. Even though other receivers saw more targets, the redshirt sophomore produced a lot of long receptions for Jameis Winston. In 2013, Benjamin had 54 receptions for 1,011 yards with 15 touchdowns. The 6-foot-5, 234-pounder is a mismatch nightmare with a ton of upside."
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[SIZE=1em]Eric Galko of
Sporting News sees more
touchdowns coming for Cleveland's offense in 2014.[/SIZE]
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QB Blake Bortles, Central Florida -
[SIZE=1em][/SIZE]In a good place as a franchise in terms of roster depth at key positions, the Browns must find their franchise quarterback. While their new coach might determine the type of QB they'd like, Bortles has the skills to fit in multiple schemes.
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WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M -
[SIZE=1em][/SIZE]After drafting a quarterback with their first pick, adding another weapon for him in Evans is a dream for any young quarterback. Josh Gordon can take the top off of defenses, Jordan Cameron can control the seam, and Evans can maximize any one-on-one opportunities."
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NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah has the
Browns breaking the "no running back in the first round" trend.[/SIZE]
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QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M -
[SIZE=1em][/SIZE]Manziel is the most creative quarterback I've evaluated in the last 10 years. He has an uncanny ability to feel pressure, escape the pocket, and make accurate throws on the move. He is also very skilled from inside the pocket. He has a live arm and is very accurate to all three levels despite throwing from a variety of platforms and arm angles. As a runner, he is sudden and is able to make defenders miss without gearing down. His lack of size and aggressive running style is the main concern. He seeks out contact as a runner. That has to change at the next level.
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RB Carlos Hyde, Ohio State -
[SIZE=1em][/SIZE]Hyde had a monster senior season, rushing for 1,521 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has excellent size, power, vision, and burst. He rarely goes down on first contact and has sneaky breakaway speed when he gets past the second level of the defense. He is also a viable option in the passing game (three receiving touchdowns)."