It seems sufficiently evident Browns' GM Phil Savage has a plan in mind for ILB. What exactly that is, one cannot pretend to know. But it doesn't take a genius (fortunately) to recognize it is not only the thinnest position on the roster---Can anyone even venture an intelligent guess as to whom the current starter is next to Andra Davis?---but one which has escaped transaction attention thusfar this busy off-season.
Therefore, it seems reasonable to assume something is in the works at the spot. Whether the solution will be a Day One draft selection, a last-minute RFA tender, a vet now more inclined to consent to a club-friendly FA contract or a good, old-fashioned NFL football trade, it is clear the remedy does not exist in-house. And he is not likely to come from NFL Europe, either.
Even if Chaun Thompson were to surprisingly become that guy, as some have speculated and written, the organization could not leave itself otherwise barren behind him. A viable alternative, a fallback option would be required and advised.
This upcoming paragraph is intented to be neither inflammatory nor gratiutous, but maybe a trade-up will occur, if the targetted commodity slips, as is being recently rumored, to Detroit at 8. That athlete, of course, would be OSU's stellar producer AJ Hawk, considered by most as the safest selection in the upcoming process. His ceiling is high, but so is his floor---meaning he'd minimally become a starting-caliber performer.
Anyone with even a casual familiarity with this site realizes Hawk's addition would be celebrated wildly by Browns' fans. But, more relevantly, Hawk is the draft's top LB prospect, a throw-back type and a born tackler. Instinctive, intelligent, physical, athletic, hungry, relentless, alert---the list of desired attributes is extensive. Hawk would be a superb fit and a valued asset wherever he were to land, which is why Green Bay would be questioned heavily for passing on him at five. SF is reportedly also fond of Hawk's capacities, as is Oakland, right behind them at seven.
Nonetheless, current conjecture has GB opting for NC State's DE Mario Williams, SF for Maryland TE Vernon Davis and the Raiders for Texas QB Vince Young---all assuming it will be Reggie Bush to Houston, D'Brickashaw Ferguson to NO, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler--- the USC and Vanderbilt passers, respectively---going to Tennessee and the Jets in some order at three and four.
That is a dubious scenario. Even were Young to be preferred over one of those two QBs in the top five, it is not easily foreseeable that Hawk falls out of the top five.
However, for the sake of conversation, and giving some credence to those who maintain no LB deserves to be tabbed that highly, were Hawk to fall to eight, Savage might have to jump.
Savage is known to justifiably cherish his draft picks, choices are likely necessary to finance his move up from 12. Yet Savage may agree with many who contribute to chat room discussions on the OBR that Hawk is one rare talent worth mortgaging to secure. The departed picks, after all, might be replaced by subsequently dealing off expendables like Faine and Suggs, among others.
As for the Lions and what is in it for them, they'd be expected, otherwise at 8, to have interest in a secondary leader such as Texas' Michael Huff or Va Tech's Jimmy Williams, probably in that order. Were Dan Wilkinson to follow through on his tentative decision to retire, one of the top-rated DTs---Haloti Ngata or Brodrick Bunkley---might entice. At least two from this list could be expected to remain for them at 12, with the acquired additional selections satisfactory inducements to grant Savage his preferred drafting position.
The makings of a more extensive exchange package exists between the two teams, in fact.
While it would require some suspect decision-making in the early stages of Draft Day 2006 to become remotely feasible, it is nonetheless possible the opportunity to deal up for a draft shot at AJ Hawk exists for Phil Savage and the Cleveland Browns. Should that opportunity manifest, it would not at all be surprising were Savage, Head Coach Romeo Crennel and D-Coor Todd Grantham to leap at the prospect.
It is just another of the many possible scenarios to anticipate as April 29 approaches.
At the very least, what ultimately is done to address and satisfy the vacant ILB position bears close attention, as it will greatly influence the completeness of the club's renovated roster. Savage and his lieutenants are not sleeping on the spot, either. Something is up their sleeves.