To the Browns fans who want Bush...

[Bucklion]

Ngata is an everydown player-apparently Oregon even occasionally dropped him into coverage-at 6'5 340. I'd love to see the Bengals snag Ngata, but that probably won't happen-he will be gone in the first 10 picks.

He's an every-down player in college...the NFL can be (but won't necessarily be for him) quite different. I agree he's a good player, and the 3 or 4 times I saw him, he's pretty agile for a big man. I've just seen waaaay too many NT-type players get a higher draft pick and then become a chronic "rotation guy". There are better uses of a top 10 pick in my estimation. That said, if anyone could get him later in the first round, it would probably be a good gamble.

 

[TraderLee]

If the Brownies don't get some offensive line help, it won't matter who they draft on offense.

 

[AKAK]

If the Brownies don't get some offensive line help, it won't matter who they draft on offense.

While that's important... I'd say if we can't stop the run... it won't matter who we get on offense... the line is improved, but we do need depth and a LT... for sure.

 

[exhawg]

If the Brownies don't get some offensive line help, it won't matter who they draft on offense.

The OL as a whole isn't that bad. Sheldon is the worst one by far, replace him with someone good and the OL would be pretty good. The Browns did trade Fowler to the Vikes for a project tackle so we'll see if he can work his way into the lineup. The Browns will probably need to sign an FA LT this off season. I would also like to see them draft Sims in the 5th or 6th round to be a backup if he's available.
I don't think it's possible to get a dominate NT for a 3-4 defense in the draft since they take time to develop so they will have to get one through FA. More than anything the Browns need a playmaking OLB Like Hawk or Carp. They really need 2 new OLB's.
If the Browns could upgrade these positions I think they would make a giant improvement next season: LT, NT, 1 DE, and 2 OLB's. They have players at all the other positions depending on what FA's they lose this off season and Edwards and the Solja getting healthy. I wouldn't mind seeing them draft Huston in the 7th round (if he's still there) at least kick off. It seems like a lot of kickers take a year to get used to kicking in the NFL so I wouldn't want a rookie being the main kicker.

 

[stxbuck]

He's an every-down player in college...the NFL can be (but won't necessarily be for him) quite different. I agree he's a good player, and the 3 or 4 times I saw him, he's pretty agile for a big man. I've just seen waaaay too many NT-type players get a higher draft pick and then become a chronic "rotation guy". There are better uses of a top 10 pick in my estimation. That said, if anyone could get him later in the first round, it would probably be a good gamble.

That's just it-Ngata is not a pure NT type like Casey Hampton-he is a badass DT, who could play in either a 4-3, or as a NT in a 3-4. Look at Richard Seymour-he plays NT, but he has great size and pass rushing skills, and could easily play in a 4-3. Drafting DTs high tends to be a boom or bust proposition regardless of scheme.

 

[Savante]

Seymour actually plays DE most of the time in NE's rotation, but your point stands, stx. Ngata is a freak that would likely be one of the best 3-4 NTs simply because he's big enough to eat blocks, but agile enough to get to the QB. Love him.

I think the NT is important enough to the 3-4 that drafting it in the first is fine. Look at the Pats and the Steelers, two teams that run it to perfection. Pats have Wilfork and Ty Warren, BOTH first rounders. Steelers have Casey Hampton. Part of the Browns bad run DT has been Fisk. He can be handled by one lineman, allowing the other 4 lineman to focus on the ends, meaning at least one, if not two, generally get to the second level to block the linebackers. If a NT can eat two blocks constantly, that improves the odds of guys getting through... either ends or linebackers, and that helps the 3-4 a lot. Look at a guy like Ted Washington or Jackson.. just fat. Great on the run.. but Ngata can rush the passer, too, which is his beauty.

I not only think nose tackle is the most important position in the 3-4, I'd take Ngata over any other defensive player than Hawk, and I'm definitely biased. The Browns need a NT in the worst way. Look at how much better they look with Kelley in there, and he isn't even good! :)

My board looks like this:

Hawk
Ferguson
Ngata
Mario Williams
Jimmy Williams