I might have caught some flak from Cleveland Browns fans the other day for mocking the team to take offensive tackle Greg Robinson at No. 4 overall, but more and more draft experts are saying that the Browns should consider an offensive tackle with the fourth overall pick. The most recent person to say it is Tony Pauline of Draft Insider, who says that several sources tell him that the team is looking for an upgrade over RT Mitchell Schwartz:
Who could take Mettenberger before the Vikings are called on the clock in round two? The Cleveland Browns, that’s who. While many have the Browns taking a quarterback with the fourth pick of the draft, most believe they’ll nab a signal caller with either the 26th or 35th pick of the process. If they don’t go quarterback in round one where does Cleveland look? Most believe it will be offensive tackle. Several sources tell me the team is hot and cold on Mitchell Schwartz and will look for an upgrade. In fact I’m told the Browns made a play for Eugene Monroe when he was on the trading block. Many claim "you don’t draft a right tackle with a top ten pick" but looking at the versatility and interchangeability of the tackle prospects excepted to be available at fourth pick its understandable why any team would go that route.
Mettenberger is a guy we talked about at DBN a lot at the beginning of March, when Mike Krupka did a thorough draft profile on him. Back to the offensive tackle position, we also heard Brent Sobleski of the USA Today throw his support toward Robinson if a few other guys are off the board by the time Cleveland is on the clock:
@DawgsByNature @LullOnSports Take best talent available at No. 4 and then find a way to get the QB you like.
— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) April 4, 2014
And then there is Dane Brugler of CBS Sports, who said this in mid-March:
I talked about this a lot last off-season, but RT is a bigger need than OG for the #Browns. Schwartz is best suited inside, liability at RT
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 21, 2014
Which is why if Greg Robinson is still on the board at No. 4, it wouldn't shock me if he's the pick. Best player available at a spot of need
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 21, 2014
It might not be the sexiest pick, but if we feel like our top quarterback on the board has already been drafted, and if Clowney is off the board, Robinson is a guy who has a high likelihood of turning out to be a sure bet, and we'll still have nine other draft picks to explore other positions of need.