Browns Blog

Wrapping up

A small group of prospects -- primarily defensive backs -- will be here Monday and Tuesday for more testing, but most have gone home. The only other hurdle to cross before the draft are the pro days staged by the colleges and universities.

Since no one other than team personnel is permitted to watch the workouts, it's hard to tell which prospects are rising and which are sinking. We'll learn more about that in the days and weeks leading up to the draft.

From what I can gather here, Lousiville quarterback Brian Brohm, who once looked like a high first-round pick, is slipping. I was surprised when Brohm walked into the media room for his press conference on Friday. He looked more like a big punter than a quarterback.

USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis seems to be rising up the charts at his position and could be a high first-round pick. Ellis was more impressive than LSU's Glenn Dorsey in the bench press. Plus, Ellis is healthy, while Dorsey has a history of injuries.

Another riser among a strong group of defensive linemen is Kentwan Balmer of North Carolina. Balmer improved his game significantly last season and seems like a sure first-round pick.

As I'm writing this, I just watched on a monitor as Appalachian State receiver Dexter Jackson ran a 4.26 in the 40. A couple people in the media room could be heard saying, 'Wow!"

I echo the sentiment. Jackson's drawback is his small stature, but speed like that will excite many coaches and general managers.

The top receiver prospect, depending on who you talk to, is either Mario Manningham of Michigan or Limas Sweed of Texas. Jackson won't be chosen ahead of eithher of those two, but he might move up the charts.

LSU's Jacob Hester is an impressive person with the grit and determination coaches like in a fullback. But at 230 pounds he's a tweener that could have trouble fitting in at fullback or running back.

I get a feeling that Hester wll make a coach happy in coming seasons. He's a winner. At the very least he'll be a significant contributor on special teams.

Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long is an impresive physical specimen. He reminds me of Browns tackle Joe Thomas, who showed up here last year in impressive physical shape.

"He certainly passes the eye test," Browns general manager Phil Savage said of Long.

Unlike last year, when all indications pointed to LSU quarterback Jamarcus Russell as being the first overall pick, there's no clear-cut number one this year. One thing seems certain -- it won't be Brohm.