by J. Alan Beck

Created on: April 19, 2010

Accurately predicting first round selections in the 2010 NFL draft might be akin to lining up boxcars in a rail yard: One wayward one and you've got a train wreck. In other words it's usually impossible to precisely guess which NFL teams will ultimately select which college players in the draft. A team near the top of the round moves in a different direction and others immediately following are affected. Have a couple of franchises “zigging” instead of “zagging” and the subsequent teams are off-track – seeking alternatives. 

The Cleveland Browns may likely be involved with or influenced by last-minute movements in this year's first round, as has been the case in the recent past.  Of course the unforeseeable never stops pre-draft “pundits” from churning out predictions, and this (pundit-free) article will not disappoint. Some final guesses as to what the Browns might do this year follow below.

What is known for certain: Cleveland has not been a good football team. In their 11-loss 2009 season the Browns ranked 31st in total defense, and dead last (i.e., 32nd) in total offense. There are plenty of “holes” to fill on this squad. The team's defensive backfield, defensive line, quarterback position (long-term), offensive line (right side), and wide receiver have been identified as need areas by many experts.

The Browns currently own ten selections, more than in any recent draft. Five picks are in the draft's first three rounds. Having amassed extra picks through various trades, the team appears to be counting upon the 2010 draft to help them turn the corner.

With just a few days until the college player lottery begins, what might Cleveland do with their top selections? Minding the train wreck caveat mentioned above some educated guesses (nevertheless) follow, in draft sequence and in general order of likelihood:

- The Browns trade their current seventh overall first selection, to move up or down within the first round. A number of teams appear to want to move around in the first round, so this may not be as easy as it seems. But Cleveland may be able to put together an attractive package including lower picks, and even a veteran player or two. One scenario appearing less likely as the draft approaches, however: The Browns trading up to the number one overall pick (owned by St. Louis) to then select stellar college quarterback Sam Bradford. Most experts believe that it is ultimately in St. Louis's best

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