Did the draft make the Cleveland Browns fans happy?

By JAMES W. WADE III

Staff Reporter

The Cleveland Browns 2012 Draft included a few surprises that saw them moving up to get Running Back Trent Richardson as the number 1 pick.Over the three days of the draft, the Browns selected 11 players in the 2012 NFL Draft.

With the 11 picks the Browns made in the 2012 NFL Draft, they focused on adding depth at several positions on the roster. The Browns seem to have come in with the goal of boosting one of the NFL's most anemic offenses and started the makeover by moving up one spot to the No. 3 position to reel in the supremely talented Richardson, a complete running back with exceptional power and the speed to break off big gains outside.

The Heisman Trophy finalist also has a great reputation as a fine receiver and outstanding pass blocker.

After selecting running back Richardson (No. 3 overall), the Browns selected quarterback Brandon Weeden (No. 22), offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz (No. 37) and defensive tackle John Hughes (No. 87) through the first three rounds, the Browns added wide receiver Travis Benjamin (No. 100), inside linebacker James-Michael Johnson (No. 120), guard Ryan Miller (No. 160), linebacker Emmanuel Acho (No. 204), defensive tackle Billy Winn (No. 205), defensive back Trevin Wade (No. 245) and fullback Brad Smelley (No. 247) on Day Three of the NFL’s Annual Selection Meeting.

The Browns went with the offensive side of the football when they selected Richardson and Weeden on Thursday night. With the pick of Weeden it sends a signal to Colt McCoy that his job is on the block.

In three years atAlabama,Richardsonran for 3,130 yards and 35 touchdowns on 540 carries. He split time over his first two seasons with Heisman Trophy-winning running back Mark Ingram, who was taken by the New Orleans Saints in last April’s draft.

Last fall, the formerUniversityofAlabamastandout rushed for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns on 283 carries.

“The difference is,Trentis an excellent pass-receiver, not just a willing blocker, but a very, very good blocker,” Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren said when comparingRichardsonto formerAlabamaand Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander. “When Pat’s calling the game and we’re running our offense, you don’t have to think, ‘How do we protect him in the passing game?’ This young man is a different player and there’s no reason to think he can’t do the same things here.”

Weeden, a 28-year old, took an unconventional path to the NFL one that led him through the New York Yankees organization. Once atOklahomaState, Weeden became the starter in 2010 and finished his career with 15 school records, including marks for the most passing yards in a game and half, touchdowns passes in a season, career passing touchdowns and career passing yards.

He completed 766 of 1,102 attempts for 9,260 yards and 75 touchdowns while at the helm of the Cowboys’ offense.

“Emmanuel Acho, an outside linebacker, is a terrific kid,” Cleveland Browns coach Pat Shurmur said. “He really is a terrific player, very eager. When I had him on the phone, you could feel like he was going to jump on a flight today and get here.”

Winn, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound tackle, made 18 tackles and assisted on 15 others in 2011. He registered 15.5 career sacks, 36.5 tackles-for-loss and seven pass breakups during his four-year run with the Broncos.

“We were glad he was there,” Shurmur said of Winn.”We had a high grade on him. Some teams may have had some medical concerns, which we went through and we were okay with. We feel good about him as a defensive lineman, a very productive guy.”

BROWNS PICKS IN 2012 NFL DRAFT

1st Round

No. 3 overall-TrentRichardson(RB/Alabama)

No. 22 overall-Brandon Weeden (QB/Oklahoma State)

2nd Round

No. 37 overall-Mitchell Schwartz (OL/California)

3rd Round

No. 87 overall-John Hughes (DT/Cincinnati)

4th Round

No. 100 overall-Travis Benjamin (WR/Miami-Florida)

No. 120 overall-James-Michael Johnson (ILB/Nevada)

5th Round

No. 160 overall-Ryan Miller (G/Colorado)

6th Round

No. 204 overall (compensatory selection)-Emmanuel Acho (LB/Texas)

No. 205 overall (compensatory selection)-Billy Winn (DT/Boise State)

7th Round

No. 245 overall (compensatory selection)-Trevin Wade (CB/Arizona)

No. 247 overall (compensatory selection)-Brad Smelley (FB/Alabama)