Cleveland Browns Can Improve in 2007 Through the Draft and Free Agency

It's playoff time again in the National Football League, which means that fans all around the country will gather around their television sets as they cheer on their favorite team. For the faithful followers of the Cleveland Browns, January of 2007 means, well, what just about every January means. All over Cleveland talk radio, on TV shows and in newspapers, Browns fans can only talk about one thing:

The upcoming NFL Draft.

With the Browns suffering yet another losing season, it is clear that there are plenty of holes for the organization to fill. However, all it not lost in Berea. Even with another abysmal season coming to a close, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. First, nobody can deny that the Browns were burdened by an excess of injuries throughout the 2006 season, thus crippling any team chemistry as well as the talent of the starting roster. Second, even the most cynical of Browns fan had to be uplifted by the play of both Kamerion Wimbley and Kellen Winslow Jr. In his rookie season, Wimbley showed that he was indeed worth a first-round draft pick, racking up 11 sacks. Meanwhile, Winslow showed just what can happen when he plays an entire season. Winslow led the league in receptions for tight ends with 89, and proved that he has the skills and potentials to be an All-Pro player, probably next season.

Regardless of these facts, the Browns' roster is still one that has plenty of holes within it. The organization will have to use both the draft and free agency to begin filling these holes. While at the moment the future seems dim I have an optimistic view of what the off-season could look like for the Browns. That is, if the organization makes the right decision. Here are a few ideas that I have come up with in order to improve one of the most pathetic teams in the NFL.