Browns’ picks help to rebuild

Although it might not have been laced with big-name stars or glamorous skill-position players, the Cleveland Browns 2006 draft class is the best among the usual Ohio University students’ favorites.

One year removed from the installation of the 3-4 defense, Cleveland general manager Phil Savage did everything he could to add the correct personnel to make it more effective by trading down to select Florida State defensive end Kamerion Wimbley in the first round and trading up to select Maryland linebacker D’Qwell Jackson in the second round.

Under the tutelage of new veteran addition Willie McGinest, Wimbley will learn from one of the league’s best as he makes the switch from the lineman to linebacker and could even be an opening day starter. Jackson also could be in the starting lineup come September with former inside linebacker Ben Taylor going to Green Bay.

The Browns beefed up their roster on day two of the draft by passing up an offer from the Lions for the pathetic quarterback without a home, Joey Harrington, and adding six more players. Highlighted by the nation’s second-leading rusher, Washington State running back Jerome Harrison, each member of the second-day class fills a need on the rebuilding Browns.

Comparing the Browns’ draft class to the Bengals and Steelers just isn’t fair considering that Cleveland had higher picks in every round. But, if we’re comparing how each team took advantage of their spot in the draft, Cleveland still is at the top of the class. Bengals make the right moves

For the first time in more than a decade the AFC North Division champion Cincinnati Bengals used the draft to stockpile instead of acquire immediate starters.

The Bengals emphasized defense by choosing four defensive players within the team’s first five picks.

After a 2005 season in which the Bengals had the seventh-worst pass defense in the National Football League the team chose Johnathan Joseph with their first-round pick. The third cornerback taken in the 2006 draft, Joseph intercepted four passes last year for the South Carolina Gamecocks and might potentially take over for Tory James.

James, 33, enters the 2006-07 season in the final year of his contract; thus the pick indicates the Bengals might opt for youth when James’ contract is up.

In the second round the Bengals attempted to add depth to the offensive line by taking LSU offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth. This 6-foot-7-inch, 330-pound beast might also become a starter in 2007 when Levi Jones’ contract expires. Whitworth ended his collegiate career by not allowing a sack in his last 22 games and committed only five penalties last season.

Cincinnati made another exciting pick by taking Texas A&M quarterback-turned-wide receiver Reggie McNeal. The Bengals believe McNeal will be the team’s equivalent of Antwaan Randle El, who was a double-threat for Pittsburgh.

McNeal, regarded as one of the fastest players on the field, rushed for 1,700 yards during his final two seasons as an Aggie. Drafted as a wide receiver, McNeal is eager to return to his former high school position and contribute in any way he can.

With this draft, the Bengals have shown the team can stock up to ensure success for the future. Steelers fill holes, address needs

The defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers might have suffered a few losses so far this offseason, but they more than made up for those by having a great draft.

Besides helping out their fans by drafting players with easy-to-pronounce names (Marvin Philip is a lot easier on the tongue than Domata Peko or Babatunde Oshinowo), the Steelers helped themselves out by plugging some holes in their roster.

No more Antwaan Randle El? No problem, as the Steelers found his replacement both on the offensive side of the ball (first-round pick Santonio Holmes) and in the kick-return game (Florida State’s Willie Reid, a third-rounder).

With his 225-pound frame and power-running style, seventh-round pick Cedric Humes out of Virginia Tech will evoke images of a certain No. 36 who was in the Steelers’ backfield not too long ago.

Philip will be called upon to bring some depth to a center position that will be getting thinner with the eventual retirement of Jeff Hartings.

Of course, who can forget the Steelers’ drafting of quarterback Omar Jacobs, which now gives the team an unheard-of three quarterbacks from the Mid-American Conference?

This is for sure: Jacobs will be a lot better than Tommy Maddox, who looked more like a loose cannon than the “Tommy Gun” last season.

The names may have changed, but the style is still the same. The Steelers addressed their needs very well in the draft, and by the time Bengals and Browns fans finally start to correctly pronounce D’Qwell and Domata, Steelers fans will be celebrating (at the very least) an AFC North title.