Why Should the Cleveland Browns consider drafting Dee Milliner?
In four days, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will step towards the podium at Radio City Music Hall in New York to announce that the Cleveland Browns will draft….
And that is where the story ends for now.
As is typical, the Browns are picking in the top 10 and could go in a variety of different directions with their first addition. Oregon outside linebacker Dion Jordan is probably the favorite, Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei would likely be too talented to pass up on if he falls, BYU’s Ezekial Ansah or LSU’s Barkevious Mingo could also come to Cleveland as pass rushers, while a trade down could be the ideal answer because the franchise has no second round pick.
Yet, the most tantalizing prospect linked with the Browns this off-season has been cornerback Dee Milliner of Alabama.
According to esteemed draft analyst Ryan Lownes, Milliner is the ideal cornerback prospect with the size, speed and instincts to play the position in any scheme. For the Browns, this is the perfect piece to add to their defense. Even though the regime that took over in Ohio this off-season brought in a well-respected offensive coordinator, Norv Turner, and a head coach coming from an offensive background, Rod Chudzinski, the Browns’ new defensive coordinator may be the most exciting hire made by any franchise.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive backs coach and Arizona Cardinals’ defensive coordinator Ray Horton landed with the Browns after losing out on the vacant head coaching position in Arizona. Horton is a former NFL defensive back who has been employed in a coaching role since 2005. After the 2010 season, he took over a Cardinals’ defense that ranked 30th in the league and was enduring some significant player development.
Horton hastened individual development on the roster and allowed his unit to improve to be the 17th ranked defense over each of the past two seasons. Despite the underwhelming numbers, the 53-year-old defensive coordinator earned rave reviews from across the NFL. Continue reading
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