Though most people might admit they didn't know Las Vegas had its own university, Cleveland Browns' fans should feel ecstatic about the selection of linebacker Beau Bell from UNLV in the 2008 NFL Draft.
After all, not only did the 104th overall pick prove General Manager Phil Savage has the ability to make something out of nothing, but the pick garnered enough praise from NFL critics to rate the Browns as having its best draft since its resurgence in 1999.
Now don't get me wrong, Bell is by no means the savior for the NFL's 27th ranked defense against the rush. He likely won't start next year, but should see ample time behind an already solid linebacking corps. He led the Rebels with a career-high 126 tackles last season and proved to be a big playmaker on defense, as evident in his No. 4 ranking in the nation for forced fumbles (five).
But it's not just the drafting of Bell, nor Missouri tightend Martin Rucker that has NFL pundits praising the Browns draft. Savage's biggest splash was made in last year's draft when they traded away their first pick in the '08 draft to move up and select quarterback Brady Quinn. Then after narrowly missing the playoffs with a 10-6 record, Savage traded his second and third draft picks to address its biggest concern: defense.
With those two picks, he acquired defensive tackles Corey Williams, who averaged 34.5 tackles and seven sacks the past two seasons, and Shaun Rogers, who had 39 tackles and seven sacks in 2007. Both players should make an immediate and significant impact with the team next season, which the Browns never would have had if they hadn't made those trades this off-season.
Assuming the Browns still had its second (56 overall) and third (87 overall) round picks, their picks likely would have been Kendall Langford from Hampton and Andre Fluellen from Florida State - if they chose to address their needs on the defensive line. Both players were the first defensive lineman selected after the Brown's original draft positions came up, which doesn't say much for the depth at the defensive line position in this year's draft. This is all the more reason to believe Savage knows exactly what he is doing.
Many fans may also wonder why we traded up to draft a tightend when we have arguably the best tightend in the game in Kellen Winslow. All you have to do to know why is look at Winslow's injury history. Until last year, he had been in and out of the lineup with injuries and seemed like he was recovering from a different injury every off-season. Not only will Rucker provide depth at the position should Winslow endure another injury, he will also serve as an offensive threat beside Winslow and the league's 8th highest scoring air attack.
Cleveland's other three draft picks Ahtyba Rubin (DT, Iowa State), Paul Hubbard (WR, Wisconsin) and Alex Hall (DE, St. Augustine's) should also add depth to the roster, but don't expect to hear their names called much this season. The purpose of this year's draft was to add depth, not select an immediate solution to any of their glaring problems - Savage already did that in the off-season when he traded away his top picks.
All things considered, Browns' fans should have a lot to look forward to this season, thanks in large part to their success in this year's draft. Cleveland already had one of the best offenses in the game, then factor in Williams and Rogers to a defensive line in desperate need of a plug to fill run gaps, and its no wonder the Browns and Pittsburgh are the favorites to win the AFC North.
Matt Gottfried can be reached at gottfried.35@osu.edu.
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