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Browns not guaranteed to land Orakpo

Texas linebacker Brian Orakpo, rear top, stretches out prior to football practice Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, in Scottsdale, Ariz. Texas will play Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Paul Connors/AP Texas linebacker Brian Orakpo, rear top, stretches out prior to football practice Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, in Scottsdale, Ariz. Texas will play Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

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By Carlos Holmes, Staff Writer Updated 2:01 AM Thursday, April 9, 2009

The Cleveland defense finished the 2008 season tied for next to last in the NFL in sacks with 17, and the Browns will undoubtedly be looking to upgrade their pass-rush in the upcoming NFL draft. Many draft experts believe that University of Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo will be the Browns’ choice with the fifth overall selection in the draft.

The only question is will he be available when the Browns make their selection?

There is a strong possibility the Kansas City Chiefs could throw a monkey wrench in the team’s draft day program.

The Chiefs, who own the third overall pick, have a serious need for a pass rusher after losing Jared Allen to the Minnesota Vikings before the ’08 season. Not to mention Kansas City’s defense finished the season ranked 32nd in sacks with 10. On top of that the Chiefs are converting to a 3-4 defense this season, making Orakpo a perfect fit due to his versatility to play D-end and outside linebacker. He played a lot of both positions in college.

Orakpo visited Kansas City on April 1, and the buzz coming out of Chiefs’ camp is the organization came away quite impressed with the draft’s premiere pass rusher.

I’m told that the Chiefs’ new defensive coordinator, Clancy Pendergast, has very high interest in what the player brings to the table on defense.

As for the Browns, they have invested a lot of time in edge-rushers. The team held a private workout with Orakpo on March 18, and apparently was impressed with what they saw. He is scheduled to come to Cleveland on April 14.

According to one NFL scout, Orakpo showed tremendous athleticism and overall skills going through drills at both positions at his pro day last month, solidifying his top-five status.

The only real knock on the player seems to be consistency. Orakpo addressed the issue during a recent phone interview.

“No one in this draft is projected as perfect,” he said. “Everyone has knocks and something that they can get better on, and I am one of those guys. I’m not a perfect guy, but one thing about me is I consistently got better each year while playing at Texas.”

Orakpo improved on his statistics each year and comes in with General George Patton-like hardware, winning the Nagurski Trophy (nation’s top defensive player), Lombardi Award (nation’s top lineman) and Hendricks Award (nation’s top defensive end) in 2008.

Orakpo said the passion to get better at his craft is what drives him.

The 6-foot-3, 263-pound Orakpo takes great pride in being a well-rounded defender. He’s a solid run defender and believes once you stop the run you can pin your ears back and go. In simpler terms, harass the quarterback.

“I’m not a guy who relies on trying to do different things. I react,” Orakpo said. “I tell every NFL coach that I talk to that I’ll do whatever it takes to get to the quarterback. That’s my drive when I get down in my stance. Getting there and creating havoc. I’m not worried about the sacks because they’ll come. Putting press on the quarterback is the most important thing.

“I’m going to come in ready to work and learn as much as I can. When it’s all said and done I will do what I do best, that’s get after it by being productive and making plays on the field.”

With the Chiefs entering the picture as a legitimate candidate to select Orakpo, there are no guarantees the Browns will land the coveted pass rusher.

Should the team miss out on Orakpo it will likely turn its attention toward Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry, Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree and Ohio State running back Chris “Beanie” Wells, should either be available at No. 5. Wells will visit the Browns organization on April 15.

Another likely scenario for the Browns would be trading out of the No. 5 spot to stockpile picks. The team is without choices in the third, fifth and seventh rounds.

Carlos “Big C” Holmes covers the NFL for Dayton Daily News.

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