NFL 2012 Draft: Browns Seek Playmaker at Number 4

Browns Seek Playmaker at Number 4
NFL 2012 Draft

Berea, OH

The Cleveland Browns need to go on the offensive.

After a season in which they had trouble scoring points, the Browns will look to upgrade on the offensive side of the ball and that includes what they will do with the No. 4 pick in the draft.

Browns general manager Tom Heckert played it pretty close to the vest in a press conference Thursday, not offering much about who the team will target in free agency and the draft. But he did say "On offense, we want guys who score touchdowns."

Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon, fresh off a stellar performance in the Fiesta Bowl, could be an option as could Alabama running back Trent Richardson, especially if Cleveland loses tailback Peyton Hillis as a free agent.

"It depends on who's available," said Heckert. "You want a big, fast guy who's got great hands. We do have to address playmakers all around -- running backs, receivers."

Perhaps that's

Browns president Mike Holmgren also spoke Thursday and touched on the future of Colt McCoy and the team's quarterback position.

When asked if the former Texas star could be a franchise quarterback, Holmgren hedged his bet.

"I think he can be, he could be. I'm not ready to say that yet," Holmgren said. "You know what we did this season. He played and he did some very fine things and then he played young at times, not unlike his first year where he had four or five games or whatever.

Was I pleased? Yeah, in a lot of the stuff he did. My opinion of Colt has not changed. I'm not ready to anoint Colt yet. Have I changed my mind? No. Do I love him? Yes, I do. But I love Seneca Wallace and we have three good quarterbacks on our team right now. Having said that, heck, we don't know what is going to happen and I had that conversation with Colt as well."

Blackmon may make the most sense in the draft because the quarterback, McCoy or someone else, is going to need weapons to throw the ball to. The Browns led the league with 43 dropped passes, next was Atlanta with 37. Cleveland also ranked 29th out of 32 teams in catches for at least 25 yards.