The Indians have a lot of issues to address following an 11-17 April, but they still have five months of baseball to play.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – In terms of overall badness, the Indians overall have been, well, bad.

Not just a little bad, but bad from top to bottom. They haven’t hit, the starting rotation is unreliable and they’re playing, if that’s the right term, the worst defense in the American League.

Team Clank T-shirts should be available at Progressive Field sometime during this homestand. They went 11-17 in April and occupy last place in the AL Central.

“The crazy part about it is I don’t know if anyone on the team has looked at the standings,” said utility man Mike Aviles. “There are five months of baseball left. There are a lot of things, a lot of variables, that can go on.”

OK, that’s one reason not to stop coming to games. Hey, one can only stay locked in their room obsessing over the Browns’ draft for so long.

Here’s one more: This is similar to the way the Indians played last April and that team went on to win 92 games. After going 11-13 in April, the 2013 Indians had just one losing month before blowing things out with a 21-6 September.

Turn the Tribe off now and you could be missing quite a show.

Still, there are reasons for concern. They were apparent in manager Terry Francona’s voice when he talked to reporters following Wednesday’s 7-1 loss to the Angels that mercifully ended a 0-6 West Coast trip through San Francisco and Anaheim.

“We're going to have to be strong right now because this was a tough trip,” said Francona. “Not a lot went right for us. “

The rotation is missing the consistency that Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez and Scott Kazmir gave it last year. Masterson is pitching at a lower velocity than in 2013. Zach McAllister won three starts, but has lost his last two. Danny Salazar has made one good start in five tries. Corey Kluber has looked very good and very bad, while Carlos Carrasco has already been taken out of the rotation.

Catcher Yan Gomes has already made seven errors, most on ill-timed throws to the bases. Regarding errors, a catcher with faulty throwing mechanics is like an outfielder who can’t catch a fly ball because you’re almost always giving up at least two bases.

An offense that scored only 13 runs on the 0-6 trip and is hitting .232 overall and .220 with runners in scoring position could be without second baseman Jason Kipnis. He strained an abdominal muscle Tuesday night and the Indians will give an update on his condition Friday.

“We’ve got a big challenge in front of us,” said first baseman Nick Swisher. “We’re going to see what kind of team we have.”

The Indians were streaky last year. They went on five losing streaks of five or more games followed by five corresponding good streaks in which they went 22-9, 3-1, 32-16, 9-4 and 21-6.

The streaky quality has been missing this year. It’s been replaced by a dull consistency of poor play. Their longest winning streak to date has been two games.

“Sometime you’re going to hit some rough spots,” said Swisher. “There’s a whole heap of guys on our team that aren’t where they want to be right now, but that’s the good thing because of the law of averages.

“We just have to go out and battle. We have to play clean games in situational hitting, defense and things like that. We have a good team.”

The Indians seem stunned to be where they are right now. After making the postseason last year, they had a great spring training. Kipnis, Gomes and Michael Brantley signed contract extensions. They entered the season confident that good things would come their way.

Now it looks like they’ve been sucker punched, and don’t know exactly how to respond.

In Tuesday’s 6-4 loss to the Angels, Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana, facing infield shifts, bunted for hits. Cabrera’s bunt brought Jason Giambi to the plate so that made sense. Why Santana, hitting cleanup, would bunt with two out was perplexing. Especially since he hit a two-run homer in his next at-bat off the same pitcher, Jered Weaver.

“I’m trying to find some holes, my brother,” said Cabrera. “You’ve got to figure out something and get on base. That’s the big thing for me – get on base for the guys behind me so we can score.”

Those are the signs of a team trying too hard. Francona knows it, but he still appreciates the effort.

“Guys are trying, they’re trying to win,” said Francona. “Sometimes I may not agree, but I know they’re trying to win.

“The philosophy of the game has changed. Twenty years ago they’d say, 'Don’t do that. Hit a double.’ But we need to string hits together. If they’re going to shift and we’re able to take it away when we need baserunners, I think it’s great.”

Now all the Indians have to do is get hot.

“We’ve always been a streaky team and when we get hot, we’re scalding,” said Swisher. “It’s time for us to turn the nozzle on and get things hot around here.”

Cavaliers guard Jarrett Jack would favor a boycott if Donald Sterling hasn't sold the Los Angeles Clippers by the start of next season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cavaliers guard Jarrett Jack said he was happy with how NBA commissioner Adam Silver handled the Donald Sterling affair, and he's hopeful the league's owners will follow through and force Sterling to sell the Los Angeles Clippers as soon as possible.

As a first step toward that sale, the league announced that its Advisory/Finance Committee met via conference call on Thursday and unanimously agreed to move forward as expeditiously as possible. The committee will reconvene next week, the league said.

But, Jack said during a Bay Area radio interview on Thursday morning, the players should take a strong stand if Sterling still owns the Clippers when next season starts.

"The thing I would propose is that nobody plays another game for the Clippers as long as that man is in control -- period, point blank,'' Jack told hosts Ric Bucher, Chris Townsend and Aubrey Huff on the “Bucher, Towny & Huff'' program on 95.7 The Game. "We don't play another game until that man is removed -- as a league.

"It's not a Clipper issue, it's a league issue and we should all take a stance on it."

Though Silver earned high marks on Tuesday for banning Sterling from the NBA for life after his taped racist comments became public last weekend, as well as fining him $2.5 million and seeking to force a sale of his team, there are fears that Sterling will turn to the courts, which could delay a sale.

Making it clear this was his opinion and that he was not speaking for the rest of the players in the league, Jack said, "If that guy does try to take it into litigation and drag this thing out, we have to respond as players and make our voice known as loud as possible. If this man is still in control, we as a league shouldn't play another game, another practice, another anything until something is done or he relinquishes control.''

Jack, who played for the Warriors last season and has attended a couple of their first-round games against the Los Angeles Clippers, said he was disheartened when Sterling's comment became public.

"It's a sad day for society, knowing that in 2014, with all the barriers and hurdles that we've crossed, that we still have to deal with this,'' he said in the radio interview. "This is bigger than a league issue. It's a social issue. This is something people in all walks of life deal with.''

Watch highlights from Mike Pettine's press conference after their three day minicamp in Berea.

BEREA, Ohio --  “I think we’re off to a good start,” said Cleveland Browns first year head coach Mike Pettine following the final day of their three-day voluntary veterans minicamp.

One of the biggest objectives of the camp Pettine said was to establish the tempo of how to get out of the huddle and how to fly around on both sides of the ball.  “When you learn to practice that way, you can get a lot done in shorts,” Pettine said.

Pettine told the team after practice “We're getting ready to swim across the Atlantic and we've just taken one step in.  We have so far to go, but it was a good first step."  

When asked about quarterback Brian Hoyer, Pettine said, “He's a better passer than people have given him credit for.  One thing that jumped out for me this camp was his accuracy.”

Pettine said they will re-evaluate all players now that they have seen them on the field and redo the depth chart heading into next weeks draft.

On Twitter: @CLEvideos

Former No. 1 pick David Carr said the Browns are one of about six teams that have talked to him about signing as a backup if they draft his little brother Derek.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- By the end of the draft next week, the Browns could have two Carrs parked in their quarterback room.

David Carr, the former No. 1 overall pick of the Texans and big brother of Browns' prospect Derek Carr, told cleveland.com Thursday that the Browns are one of about six teams that have talked to him about signing as a backup if they draft his little brother.

"Yeah, they've definitely been one of those teams that have expressed interest,'' said Carr, 34. "There are probably about six or seven teams that have been real interested in that scenario, so we'll see what happens. It's going to be exciting.''

In Cleveland, David would especially come in handy because he knows offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's offense inside and out. Shanahan was wide receivers coach for the Texans under Gary Kubiak in 2006, Carr's final season there.

"For brotherly, selfish reasons, that would be great,'' said David. "But at the same time, I don't trust any other quarterback in the room with Derek (laughs). I know quarterbacks and I know veteran guys come in a lot of times and they don't want the young guy to play. They're going to be a teammate, but are they going to go to that next level to make sure this kid really succeeds? I can guarantee you that's the case with us. He would be just as happy if I was on the field as if he were out there.

"That's the goal -- to get him to play at a high level and to go out and use the experience that I've kind of gained over the last decade or so and try and help him out.''

David, who starred at Fresno State 11 years before his brother did, acknowledged it would "almost'' be too good to be true for the two to play on the same team "but it would be smart. I'm not a general manager, but the teams that have expressed interest in it, they think they're on to something and I think they're right.''

David, who sat out of football last season after being released by the Giants in August, would be content helping Derek and the other quarterbacks improve. After going 23-56 in his 11 seasons -- including 22-53 with the expansion Texans -- he knows his primary role is as a mentor. In addition to the six teams interested in him in a package deal with Derek, three teams have discussed signing him even without the sidekick.

"If I came back to the NFL to play, it wouldn't be for myself, it wouldn't be a selfish reason,'' he said. "It would be to really help the team. I've stood there before and held the clipboard, but I didn't really feel like I was really helping. I want to go in and really make an impact, whether I'm on the field or off the field. I want to do as much in the meeting room, in the locker room as I can to help a young guy, or to help an experienced guy.

And if it happens in Cleveland, where he already likes and trusts the staff, all the better. Carr is one of several quarterbacks the Browns are seriously considering in this draft.

"With good communication in the quarterback room, you can get to a point, especially in Kyle's offense where it can look very smooth and you can line up some numbers,'' David said. "Hopefully we'll get a chance somewhere -- but the Browns are definitely on the radar for sure.''

The cornerback says he feels wanted by the Browns' top decision makers. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio – The game of football earned the Browns’ Joe Haden his first trip to the Pro Bowl last season. The business of football cost him his closest friend on the team.

The cornerback is eager to get a contract extension done with the Browns, but said he won’t let it become a distraction if talks drag along. Haden wants to remain in Cleveland, but so too did good friend and safety T.J. Ward, who signed with Denver in March and later said the Browns never offered him a deal.

“I'm just trying to ball,” said Haden, who’s entering the final year of his rookie deal that paid him an $8 million average. “The business thing, it is a business and everybody has to understand that, too. The team wants to do what they got to do. Players are going to do what they want to do, so I'm just trying to ball right now. I've got a really good agent (Drew Rosenhaus) and he's handling that part.”

The second-team All Pro, who intercepted four balls and had a career-high 20 passes defensed, characterized talks with the club as “ongoing.”

Cornerback Darrelle Revis recently signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the New England Patriots and Richard Sherman reportedly is negotiating a long-term deal with the Seattle Seahawks that could top that figure.

Haden is encouraged with the associations he’s developed with some of the team’s top decision makers.

“I have a really good relationship with (owner Jimmy) Haslam, with (general manager) Ray Farmer with (general counsel) Sashi Brown ... just knowing they like me, they want me to be here, that's a big part,” Haden said.

Although he remains close with Ward, he had positive words Thursday for Cleveland native Donte Whitner, the Pro Bowl strong safety the Browns signed from San Francisco.

“I really like the way (he plays), he's a smart guy,” Haden said. “He's a smart safety. I like what he brings, a different mentality. He brings a mentality like T.J. did, just a tough guy.”

Weight-ing game

Browns coach Mike Pettine said in February that adding weight to Barkevious Mingo’s 6-foot-4 frame was a priority. Last season, Mingo played at 237 pounds, and is currently listed at 240.

The LSU product doesn’t like discussing the topic, but said Tuesday coaches were comfortable with his weight. Pettine was asked Thursday if there was a disconnect between player and coaching staff.

“I wouldn’t say there’s a disconnect,” Pettine replied. “We’re not going to artificially blow him up, but at the same time we want to have him on a program where he is, between lifting and natural intake of the diet that he’s on, that it’ll just happen. It’ll be a gradual thing. It doesn’t have to be overnight. I just think it’s the natural maturation process of his second year of the NFL.

“I can’t speak for the strength and conditioning program that was here, but we have definite ideas on how we want to handle him.”

Quotable

Pettine on quarterback Brian Hoyer’s positive traits: “You talk about the ‘it’ factor, that’s one, but I think he’s a better passer than people have given him credit for. The one thing that jumped out at me this camp was his accuracy. Having gone and worked the quarterbacks out, and then it was nice to come back here and ... put the quarterbacks through the exact same drills that we did when we went out and worked the quarterbacks out. It was nice to see that, to be able to compare him to those other quarterbacks, and the one thing that really jumped out to me was how accurate he is with the football.”

Brownies

Pettine said as the draft nears, “phones have been ringing off the hook,” as teams discuss possible trade scenarios and positioning. ... Former Browns running back Eric Metcalf will announce the team’s second-round draft pick on May 9 in New York City.

A group is targeting manufacturers of apparel that features Chief Wahoo and other Native American logos.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - A Native American group protested Thursday morning outside the corporate headquarters of Nike in an attempt to pressure the company to stop selling merchandise with the Cleveland Indians' Chief Wahoo logo.

Eradicating Offensive Native Mascotry says the Wahoo logo is a "grotesque caricature" of modern Indians. Along with the protest, it is is running a social media campaign using the #Dechief hashtag, according to the Associated Press.

"The fact that Nike is selling items that feed into the hostility toward Native Americans is really troubling," the group's co-founder, Jacqueline Keeler, told the AP. "Major businesses profit off of caricatures of our people. It would not be acceptable for any other group to be portrayed like this."

A small group of demonstrators gathered in front of Nike's headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., as Keeler's group is bypassing team owners and instead is targeting the company's that manufacture their gear, the AP reports.

It is a beautiful day-Anpetu Sa to #dechief @Nike! No more Wahoo! CLE @Indians #NotYourMascot pic.twitter.com/3Tc1ye6RT0

— Jacqueline Keeler (@jfkeeler) May 2, 2014

Keeler was born in Cleveland but moved to Oregon as a young child, according to the AP.

Chief Wahoo remains a popular logo with fans of the Indians. But Wahoo and other Native American nicknames and logos, such as the Washington Redskins, have come under increased scrutiny in recent months. The Plain Dealer's editorial board has called for the retirement of the logo, and Cleveland City Councilman Zack Reed wants it banned from public spaces in the city.

Native Americans have demonstrated against the logo at Indians home openers outside Progressive Field for several years. The photo of an Indians fan with his face painted red and wearing a head dress while confronting a demonstrator caused some controversy.

The Browns have signed quarterback Tyler Thigpen to a one-year contract and are set to sign quarterback Vince Young to one as well.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns offered to book a flight back home to Houston for Vince Young on Thursday before the ink was even dry on his one-year contract, but he declined.

"I said, 'No, I'm going to stay here over the weekend and get some more work in,''' Young said. "The message has been told to the team and the organization how much I want to be here and hard I'll work to make the team.''

Young, 30, is so determined to make it stick that he risked ticking off the boss to stay here this weekend.

"I know my wife is going to be mad,'' he said with a smile. "But she's very happy right now."

But not happy enough to start celebrating just yet.

"There’s no popping the champagne bottle, none of that stuff going on,'' he said. "Now it's 'really put the gas on and get to work really hard now. That’s the biggest thing I can do. It would mean a lot. Just right now, being here right now, the opportunity is great as well. To make the team, that’s the focus, it’s not just that I have, but my family, my wife, my kids.''

The Browns signed Young and fellow quarterback Tyler Thigpen to one-year contracts Thursday after their three-day tryout in minicamp. They also signed eighth-year linebacker Zac Diles to a one-year deal.

But Young, the former No. 3 overall pick of the Titans in 2006, knows all too well that May contracts don't always bring September jobs. Each of the last two seasons, he spent the offseason with teams -- Buffalo and Green Bay respectively -- only to be sent packing after camp.

Asked if he felt good about his chances this week, he said, "Not at all. In Buffalo and Green Bay I thought I had an opportunity of making the team and then it didn't happen, so right now I want to continue taking the stepping stones to make the team. Thank God that I had the opportunity to make the first phase of the team and now it's right back to work: foot down, nose down and every day I work.''

Browns coach Mike Pettine admitted it wasn't a lock.

"I was just joking with him the other day that the rust was falling off in large clumps,'' kidded Pettine. "But he flashed a couple of times – threw a nice long ball the other day. Again you don’t realize how big he is until you stand next to him. We talk about all these 6 foot, 5-11 quarterbacks in the draft and then he comes walking out and you say 'oh, that’s what they’re supposed to look like.'”

Young, who's gone 31-19 in his six seasons, admitted that the last few years since leaving have Tennessee after the 2010 season have been difficult.

"A lot of people don't know that I've been putting in a lot of work and going through the trials and tribulations and not understanding a lot of different situations,'' he said. "But the biggest thing is staying prayed up, continuing to keep fighting and knowing that if this opportunity comes that. …I wanted to be ready.''

Young earned NFL Rookie of the Year honors and Pro Bowl honors twice. After being released by the Titans, he signed with the Eagles in 2011, and made instant headlines by dubbing the Eagles the Dream Team that year. The club ultimately finished 8-8 and Young went 1-2, throwing one touchdown and four interceptions in his final game with the Eagles. They were his last meaningful snaps in an NFL game.

Young also spent his redshirt freshman year in 2002 at the University of Texas with Shanahan, who was in his last year as a receiver there.

Thigpen spent three seasons with Browns general manager Ray Farmer in Kansas City from 2007-2009. Originally a seventh-round pick of the Vikings in 2007, he was waived at the end of camp and immediately signed by the Chiefs.

In 2008, he started 11 games for the Chiefs, going 1-10. He was traded to the Dolphins in 2009 and spent two seasons there, going 0-1. He spent 2011-12 with the Bills, but didn't play.

“It’s a great opportunity,'' Thigpen said. "I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited to get back here next week and get to work, get more plugged into this offense and get more comfortable with it. I thought for a while there that the door was going to close, but now that opportunity has opened back up. It’s time to take advantage of it.”

Diles, a 6-foot, 245-pound veteran entering his eighth NFL season out of Kansas State, spent parts of the past two seasons with the Titans. Tennessee initially signed him as a free agent in May 2012, but a broken leg after six games ended his first season there. An unrestricted free agent, he signed with the Chiefs and spent 2013 training camp with Kansas City, then re-signed with the Titans and spent eight weeks there before they released him in early December.

 

After all the mock drafts, it's time for me to play the role of GM. My philosophy in the draft differs a bit from the norm. I don't believe in "best player available." I believe in "best player available at a position of need."

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Throughout the pre-draft process, I've compiled numerous Mock Drafts, with the intention of giving an idea of who could get picked where and what I believe teams will do with their selections. It's been a bit of a guessing game with this year's Top 10 being as unpredictable as any draft in recent memory.

The No. 1 pick is still uncertain, with Houston seemingly willing to move the selection. Each team drafting in the Top 10 have many holes, with players in this year's draft that match those needs. And there are new general managers and head coaches picking high. 

Then there's the story of quarterback. While three or four could go in the first round, there's also a chance that one of the top signal callers slides out of Round One.

After all those mock drafts, it's time for me to play the role of GM. My philosophy in the draft differs a bit from the norm. I don't believe in "best player available." I believe in "best player available at a position of need." I have always believed matching need with talent is the best way to go, and that's the trend you will notice with this Mock Draft, one that represents what I think the teams selecting should do with their pick.

1. Houston Texans - Teddy Bridgewater, Quarterback, Louisville

The debate should come down to Jadeveon Clowney and Bridgewater. Pass rusher and quarterback are two of the top needs for Houston. The edge goes to the quarterback, provided one is worthy of the pick. In this case Bridgewater, the No. 2 player on my Big Board, is the selection. Head coach Bill O'Brien's system requires a QB that can handle a lot, and that's Bridgewater.

2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins) - Greg Robinson, Offensive Tackle, Auburn

Picking offensive tackle is the easy thing. The Rams need someone to pave the way for running back Zac Stacey and protect current quarterback Sam Bradford. The question is Robinson or Jake Matthews. Robinson, a bully who will fit perfectly in the NFC West, gets the call.

View full sizeSouth Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is the best pass rusher in the draft.AP Photo/Wade Payne

3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jadeveon Clowney, Defensive End, South Carolina

Head coach Gus Bradley has defense in his blood. The Jaguars have finished last in sacks the past two seasons. Clowney is the best pass rusher in the draft. It makes too much sense.

4. Cleveland Browns - Johnny Manziel, Quarterback, Texas A&M

Quarterback has been the Browns' biggest issue since 1999, and nothing has changed in 2014. With two first round picks, general manager Ray Farmer has an opportunity to put his mark on the Cleveland Browns, and he should do it with a franchise changer like Manziel. Until the QB spot is addressed, the Browns will continue to look up at the rest of the division. Addressing QB later won't get it done.

5. Oakland Raiders - Jake Matthews, Offensive Lineman, Texas A&M

This one was tough. Matthews, Sammy Watkins or Khalil Mack? Even though the Raiders added two linemen in free agency (Donald Penn and Austin Howard), the best way to help any quarterback succeed is with protection up front and Matt Schaub will need all the help he can get in Oakland.

6. Atlanta Falcons - Khalil Mack, Outside Linebacker, Buffalo

The Falcons have spent many resources creating one of the best offenses in the league. Now it's time to turn the attention to defense. In need of a defensive cornerstone and a boost to the league's second-worst pass rush, Mack checks both boxes.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sammy Watkins , Wide Receiver, Clemson 

Sure, the Buccaneers already have Vincent Jackson, but adding Watkins will create problems in the NFC South with two physical receivers. The Bucs have a decision to make about quarterback, but Watkins helps newly acquired Josh McCown feel like he is back in Chicago with two playmakers to throw to.

8. Minnesota Vikings - Derek Carr, Quarterback, Fresno State

Bortles or Carr? It's something to ponder. I think Carr is the better quarterback, so he's the choice. Playing outside the next two years, Minnesota will need a QB with a big arm, and Carr has one of the strongest in the draft. He would be able to get it vertical, which is required in Norv Turner's offense.

9. Buffalo Bills - Taylor Lewan, Offensive Tackle, Michigan

The biggest goal for the Bills should be finding a way to help young quarterback E.J. Manuel. They could do it with receiver, tight end or offensive line. Cordy Glenn handles the left side of the line, but the right side leaves something to be desired, making Lewan the pick.

View full sizeMichigan State's Darqueze Dennard could start a run of cornerbacks in the first round.AP Photo/AJ Mast

10. Detroit Lions - Darqueze Dennard, Cornerback, Michigan State

In a division with the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, the Lions better improve their putrid secondary. No position is more important for the Lions to address than cornerback and Dennard in-your-face style is the kind of attitude Detroit needs.

11. Tennessee Titans - Anthony Barr, Outside Linebacker, UCLA

With the switch to a 3-4 defense, the Titans need to find a pass rusher off the edge to play opposite newly acquired Shaun Phillips.

12. New York Giants - Aaron Donald, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh

As tempting as a new tight end like Eric Ebron would be, the Giants have issues on defense. Linval Joseph and Justin Tuck both moved on in free agency, meaning the disruptive Donald, a ready-made tackle, would be a welcomed addition.

13. St. Louis Rams - Mike Evans, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M

After addressing the offensive line with the second-overall pick, the Rams can now turn their attention to helping their quarterback with a tall, sure-handed receiver. 

14. Chicago Bears - Kyle Fuller, Cornerback, Virginia Tech

The Bears improved the front four this off-season, bringing in Lamarr Houston, Jared Allen and Willie Young. Now they have to look toward the secondary where the best defensive back, Tim Jennings, is already 30 years old. Fuller, my second-ranked corner, gets the edge over Justin Gilbert.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Justin Gilbert, Cornerback, Oklahoma State

The Steelers also have an aging secondary. The now 34-year-old Ike Taylor will soon need to be replaced. Aside from Taylor, there is no other player that projects as a starting-caliber corner on Pittsburgh's roster.

16. Dallas Cowboys - Louis Nix, Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame

The "D" in "Big D" was missing in 2013, especially against the run. The Cowboys were 26^th in rushing touchdowns allowed (17) and 27^th in yards per game (128.5). Finding a run-stuffing anchor on the line should be priority No. 1.

17. Baltimore Ravens - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Safety, Alabama

The Ravens have seen more than their fair share of safeties depart in recent years. Last year's first-round pick Matt Elam is a hard-hitter who brings toughness to the secondary. But the Ravens need to find the rangy, instinctive safety who can cover the middle of the field.

18. New York Jets - Odell Beckham Jr., Wide Receiver, LSU

While the Jets need to improve their cornerback position after the loss of Antonio Cromartie, this is probably too early for Bradley Roby or Jason Verrett so that means their need doesn't match the talent at corner. Focusing on another big need, Beckham makes the Jets' offense more potent.

19. Miami Dolphins - Zack Martin, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame

To have Martin on the board is a huge blessing for the Dolphins. After allowing their young QB Ryan Tannehill to be sacked more than any other signal caller in 2013, Miami is able to grab the smart, versatile lineman who can play immediately.

View full sizeBlake Bortles needs a few years before taking an NFL snap and the Cardinals would provide that situation.AP

20. Arizona Cardinals - Blake Bortles, Quarterback, Central Florida

Despite being the third-best team in the division, it's hard to find a glaring need for the Cardinals. They could go with a safety or a linebacker. But the fall of Bortles stops as Arizona nabs a developmental quarterback who can eventually take over for the 34-year-old Carson Palmer when he decides to move on.

21. Green Bay Packers - Eric Ebron, Tight End, North Carolina

This is the case of talent matching need really well. The Packers offense is already one of the most dangerous in the league. However, James Jones went to Oakland in free agency and Jermichael Finley also departed, leaving two less weapons for Rodgers. If Ebron falls this far, the pass-catching weapon should bring a new element to the Green Bay offense. 

22. Philadelphia Eagles - Dee Ford, Outside Linebacker, Auburn

Philadelphia needs to improve its last-ranked pass defense. Helping the secondary would be one way to do it, but improving the pass rush is more important. Trent Cole is 31 years old and former first-round pick Brandon Graham has only 11.5 sacks in his frustrating career.

23. Kansas City Chiefs - Brandin Cooks, Wide Receiver, Oregon State

The Chiefs have been searching for a receiver to play alongside Dwayne Bowe. Jonathan Baldwin wasn't the answer so he was traded and Donnie Avery isn't either. They should give it another try with Cooks, the 2013 Biletnikoff Award winner. 

24. Cincinnati Bengals - C.J. Mosley, Inside Linebacker, Alabama

Mosley is too talented to drop this far, but the truth is very few teams have a need at inside linebacker and it's not a position that carries a lot of value. The Bengals have to pay Vontaze Burfict soon. Rey Maualuga whiffs on too many tackles. And the other linebacker spot is a question mark. It's a good match - a steal this late.

25. San Diego Chargers - Bradley Roby, Cornerback, Ohio State

With the 29^th ranked pass defense in the league, cornerback needs to be a top priority. Each team needs at least three reliable corners and the Chargers may not have a single one on the roster.

View full sizeTCU cornerback Jason Verrett would be a good fit for the Cleveland Browns.Associated Press

26. Cleveland Browns - Jason Verrett, Cornerback, TCU

The debate is wide receiver or cornerback. The Browns can't afford to wait on a cornerback because the drop-off after Verrett is enormous, and I don't think he would last until pick No. 35. Tough, aggressive and smart, I gamble here a bit because he would fit Mike Pettine's defense well.

27. New Orleans Saints - Ryan Shazier, Outside Linebacker, Ohio State

Shazier should be listed as "football player." The kind of guy that can do it all on defense, Shazier is a fast, athletic and hard-hitting backer that should fit well on a defense, which made incredible strides, allowing 19 points per game (4^th) this past year after finishing last in 2012, allowing 28.4 points per game.

28. Carolina Panthers - Joel Bitonio, Offensive Tackle, Nevada

A bit of a surprise, but the Panthers have so many needs along their offensive line that Bitonio's versatility â he can play left tackle, right tackle and guard â is too much to pass up.

29. New England Patriots - Stephon Tuitt, Defensive End, Notre Dame

Will the Patriots get the 2012 version of Tuitt or the 2013 version? Either way, New England needs to add more help along the defensive line and the super-sized lineman with a world of talent and experience playing tackle as well as end will become Bill Belichick's next project.

30. San Francisco 49ers - Calvin Pryor, Safety, Louisville

The San Francisco 49ers have to decide what to do about Aldon Smith after a troubling year of the field. But they also lost Donte Whitner. With Pryor, one of the Top 25 players overall sitting there, the 49ers take a big-picture view with hard-hitting safety, perfect for the NFC West.

31. Denver Broncos - Xavier Su'a-Filo, Offensive Guard, UCLA

The Broncos were overpowered in the Super Bowl. If Denver is going to make a return trip it will be up to Peyton Manning and the offense. The loss of Zane Beadles leaves them with an unexpected hole on the offensive line. 

32. Seattle Seahawks - Dominique Easley, Defensive Tackle, Florida

There aren't too many teams that can afford to take a player that has torn both ACL's. But the defending Super Bowl champs can, and they should. Easley's talent is undeniable â a Top 20 pick before injury. Going to the Seahawks, he would be able to work his way back slowly and then become the next force for the Seattle D once recovered. 

Wimbush wrote on his Twitter account that he is taking a break from social media and interviews while pondering his decision.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State likes Brandon Wimbush. Penn State likes Brandon Wimbush. And now Alabama apparently likes Brandon Wimbush.

The 2015 quarterback prospect from New Jersey, who sits at the top of the Buckeyes' list of desired quarterbacks in this class, received an offer from Alabama on Thursday. With his recruitment continuing to heat up, Wimbush has decided to take a break, posting on his Twitter account that he was done with social media and interviews for a while.

He might be taking some time to think.

The Nittany Lions and Buckeyes are generally viewed as the leaders, but Alabama could be a factor now. 

Five-star cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick, Wimbush's teammate at St. Peter's Prep, gave an oral commitment to Alabama after attending the Crimson Tide's spring game on April 19. Fitzpatrick is ranked as the No. 9 overall recruit in the Class of 2015 by Rivals.com and had offers from Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan, among others.

Wimbush is ranked as the No. 203 overall prospect and the No. 6 pro-style quarterback for 2015 by Rivals. He told Todderick Hunt of NJ.com, as seen in the video below, after the Nike Football Training Camp in Florham Park, N.J., on Sunday that he would make his college choice in about a month. At the time he listed Penn State, Ohio State, Miami, Virginia Tech, Boston College and LSU among the schools he was considering.

With Braxton Miller a senior in 2014, the Buckeyes have three other quarterbacks on the roster in redshirt sophomore Cardale Jones, who won the backup job in the spring; redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett, who was a four-star recruit out of Texas in the Class of 2013; and incoming freshman Stephen Collier of Georgia, a part of the Class of 2014 who enrolled at Ohio State early and took part in spring football.

The Buckeyes are very interested in adding a big-time quarterback recruit in the Class of 2015, and Wimbush will continue to be a primary focus for them.

Alabama offered!!![?] Roll damn Tide baby!

— brandon wimbush (@BrandonW_7) May 1, 2014

“@BrandonW_7: Alabama offered!!![?] Roll damn Tide baby!” Congrats!!! Teammates in high school and college[?] okayyyyy

— Minkah Fitz Jr (@minkfitz_21) May 1, 2014

Done with twittter, interviews, for a little! Exhausted and almost decision time

— brandon wimbush (@BrandonW_7) May 1, 2014

Should the Browns consider taking a defensive player with the fourth pick? Which position should be the target at No. 26? The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Should the Browns consider taking a defensive player with the fourth pick? Which position should be the target at No. 26?

The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast with cleveland.com's Chris Fedor.

Among other topics discussed:

• Which pitcher should replace Carlos Carrasco.
• What's the best way to summarize the Indians' first month?
• Is Phil Taylor a core piece of the Browns' defense?

You can download the MP3 or listen with the player to the right.

Be sure to follow DMan on Twitter.

White Sox SS Alexei Ramirez is hitting .351.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are the lineups for the Indians-White Sox game Friday night at Progressive Field:

White Sox (14-15)

CF Adam Eaton (.281)

2B Gordon Beckham (.160)

1B Jose Abreu (.270)

DH Adam Dunn (.269)

RF Dayan Viciedo (.348)

SS Alexei Ramirez (.351)

LF Alejandro De Aza (.185)

3B Marcus Semien (.225)

CA Adrian Nieto (.190)

LHP John Danks (2-1, 3.48 ERA)

Indians (11-17)

CF Michael Bourn (.263)

3B Mike Aviles (.240)

1B Nick Swisher (.211)

DH Carlos Santana (.151)

RF Ryan Raburn (.164)

LF Michael Brantley (.255)

SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.220)

CA Yan Gomes (.250)

2B Elliot Johnson (.133)

RHP Danny Salazar (0-3, 6.04)

Notable:

*Indians have lost six in a row, all coming on West Coast trip.

*Indians went 1-3 against White Sox in Chicago, April 10-13.

*White Sox were swept by the Tigers in a two-game series in Chicago, Tuesday and Wednesday.

*Johnson starts for Jason Kipnis, who was placed on disabled list Friday because of a strained right oblique. Kipnis said typical recovery is 3-5 weeks. Jose Ramirez was promoted from Class AAA Columbus to take Kipnis's roster spot.

*Abreu entered Friday leading majors with 10 homers and tied for first with 32 RBI.

*Danks is coming off loss to Rays (5 2/3 IP, 7 H, 4 R).

*Salazar is coming off quality start in loss at San Francisco (7 IP, 5 H, R). It was his first quality start in five outings.

*Danks defeated Salazar on April 10. Danks allowed three runs on six hits in six innings as the White Sox won, 7-3. Cabrera doubled and homered in the first three innings. Salazar gave up five runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings. Ramirez hit a double and homer, and Abreu a homer, off him. Abreu also homered off Josh Outman.

Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who will have a large say in which quarterback the Browns draft, likes Johnny Manziel and thinks his game will translate well to the NFL.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is convinced that Johnny Manziel is more than just a college phenomenon.

"It’s obvious how good of a player he is, how fun he is to watch,'' Shanahan said Thursday on the final day of minicamp. "I think it does translate to the NFL. If you can make those plays in college, you can do it in the NFL. The one thing about the NFL, there’s a lot of tape out there. You’ve got to be able to do everything.

"Whatever you do very good, they’re going to eventually be able to shut that down and you’re going to have to do something else. He’s going to be able to make plays in this league. Eventually when they try to contain him, he’s going to have to do everything he didn’t always have to do in college.

 Shanahan not only worked Manziel out privately at Texas A&M with other members of the staff, he got to know him during a pre-draft visit to Cleveland.

"I enjoyed him,'' said Shanahan. "It was my first time meeting him. I got to go out to dinner with him a couple times, great guy, fun to be around and easy to see why people like him.''

 Shanahan isn't concerned about Manziel's 5-11 3/4 height.

"The guy can play football,'' said Shanahan. "I don’t care if you’re a big guy or a smaller guy, if you take too many hits in the league, I don’t care who you are, it’s tough to stay healthy. He’s got to take care of himself, especially with the way he plays, but I think he definitely has the size to succeed in the league.''

Shanahan, who coached Robert Griffin III the past two years in Washington, isn't locked into a mobile quarterback for his West Coast offense.

"I don’t think there’s any perfect fit,'' he said. "We’ve had success with slower, non-mobile quarterbacks and we’ve had success with guys who can move. We do similar things with all of them. The main thing is figuring out what they do best and trying to put them in the best situation to be successful.''

As for a consensus on Manziel in the building, he said, "Everybody’s got their own opinion. There’s a lot of people in this building, so I don’t think there’s a consensus anything. They asked me my opinion, I always give it and we see what happens.''

 Coach Mike Pettine said Shanahan will have more input on the quarterback decision than he will "as he should. I’m going to defer to an expert. I can say what a good one looks like, but there are times I don’t know I can say why he’s good. There are things you’re looking for, but as far as the technical part of it, I’ll certainly defer to him and (quarterbacks coach) Dowell (Loggains) and as far as what they’re looking for in the system.

"One of the reasons I hired (Shanahan) is that his system is flexible,'' Pettine said. "He was able to be productive with (former Texans and current Raiders quarterback) Matt Schaub, who wouldn’t be on your list of mobile quarterbacks in the NFL, then he was able to have a historic year with Robert Griffin, who’s probably the most mobile. They come in all shapes and sizes. But I think we’ve gotten to the point where we’re very much on the same page with what we’re looking for.”

Shanahan hasn't been shy about voicing his opinions.

"I definitely put (the quarterbacks) in an order,'' he said. "I try not to stay on the fence. There's a bunch of guys who can play in this draft. Some I like more than others, but you've got to put yourself out there a little bit. You've got to say the ones that you like the best and you've got to do it before next year."

  He acknowledged that mobility, which both of the new backup quarterbacks in Vince Young and Tyler Thigpen possess, is a plus, but not a prerequisite in his scheme.

"You either can play in the league or you can’t, so I like guys who are NFL players, however you do that,'' he said. "Most guys do it with their arm, some guys are capable of doing it with their legs. If you’ve got a guy who can do both, you’ve got a special player. The goal is to move the chains, I really don’t care how you do it. Some ways have been more successful than others.''

Shanahan also complimented Fresno State's Derek Carr, another one of the 11 quarterbacks the Brown worked out privately.

"Derek is a very good thrower,'' he said. "He's as good of a thrower (as is) out there. I had his brother (David) in Houston and so I'm very familiar with his family and stuff. He's a great guy. He had a great career and he's a good thrower."

 Shanahan said "it's extremely unfair'' for people to judge Carr against David, the No. 1 overall pick of the expansion Texans in 2002. Sacked a record 76 times as a rookie, Carr struggled throughout his five years in Houston.

"Everybody is their own person and just because they're brothers doesn't mean it will happen to him,'' said Shanahan. "David did have a decent career. When you're the first pick in the draft, people would like you to be a Hall of Fame player but you play in the league for a while and have some good stats, but I don't look at that in any way relevant to what Derek is going to do."

Shanahan was also pleased with Brian Hoyer's performance during minicamp even though he was held out of team drills.

"Brian did a good job,'' he said. "I’m familiar with Brian from studying him in college and throughout his career in the NFL. I’ve got a lot of confidence in Brian. It was good to see him get out here coming off that knee injury and able to participate in seven-on-seven. He played like a guy who was healthy. It was the Brian I’ve always seen on tape.''

It's the Indians and White Sox at 7:05 p.m. Comment and get updates during the game and then stick around for a live postgame show.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians got home runs from Carlos Santana and Michael Brantley as well as 5 solid innings from Danny Salazar, in beating the Chicago White Sox, 12-5, at Progressive Field.

The win snapped a six-game losing streak. Get complete coverage at cleveland.com/tribe

Watch our live postgame show below approximately 45 minutes after the final out

Scoring summary:

First inning:
CLE: Bourn popped out to second baseman Beckham. Aviles singled to left. Aviles stole second. Swisher walked. C.Santana doubled to left, Aviles scored, Swisher to third. Raburn singled to right, Swisher scored, C.Santana scored. Brantley singled to left, Raburn to second. A.Cabrera walked on a full count, Raburn to third, Brantley to second. Y.Gomes doubled to right, Raburn scored, Brantley scored, A.Cabrera to third. El.Johnson struck out. Bourn flied out. Indians 5, White Sox 0

Second inning:
CWS: Viciedo walked. Al.Ramirez safe on fielder's choice and fielding error by second baseman El.Johnson, Viciedo to second, Al.Ramirez to first. De Aza singled to left, Viciedo scored, Al.Ramirez to second. Semien flied out to center fielder Bourn. Nieto singled to center, Al.Ramirez scored, De Aza to third. Eaton struck out. Beckham struck out. Indians 5, White Sox 3

Third inning:
CLE: Indians third. A.Cabrera flied out to center fielder Eaton. Y.Gomes doubled to right. El.Johnson grounded out, shortstop Al.Ramirez to first baseman J.Abreu. Bourn singled to center, Gomes scored. Aviles flied out. Indians 7, White Sox 3

Fifth inning:
CWS: White Sox fifth. Beckham grounded out, shortstop A.Cabrera to first baseman Swisher. J.Abreu homered to left on a full count. A.Dunn walked on a full count. Viciedo grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. Indians 7, White Sox 4
CLE: Brantley homered to center on a 2-0 count. A.Cabrera singled to center. Y.Gomes flied out to right fielder Viciedo. Cabrera was caught stealing. E. Johnson struck out. Indians 8, White Sox 4

Sixth inning:
CWS: Al.Ramirez singled to left. Rzepczynski pitching. De Aza grounded into fielder's choice, first baseman Swisher to shortstop A.Cabrera, De Aza to first, Al.Ramirez out. Semien struck out. Nieto infield single to third, De Aza to second. Jor.Danks walked on four pitches, De Aza to third, Nieto to second. Shaw pitching. On wild pitch by Shaw, De Aza scored, Nieto to third, Jor.Danks to second. Beckham bended (grounded) to short. Indians 8, White Sox 5
CLE: Downs pitching. Bourn grounded out, second baseman Beckham to first baseman J.Abreu. Aviles infield single to second. Swisher doubled to right, Aviles scored. C.Santana walked. Cleto pitching. Dav.Murphy pinch-hitting for Raburn. Dav.Murphy safe on fielder's choice and throwing error by second baseman Beckham, Swisher to third, C.Santana to second, Dav.Murphy to first. Brantley singled to center, Swisher scored, C.Santana scored, Dav.Murphy to second. A.Cabrera flied out to center fielder Jor.Danks, Dav.Murphy to third. On wild pitch by Cleto, Dav.Murphy scored, Brantley to second. Indians 12, White Sox 5

Indians skipper Terry Francona talks about returning home after a dismal west coast trip and the severity of Jason Kipnis' injury.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After going 0-6 on their west coast trip, Indians manager Terry Francona believes his players can turn it around.

"I believe in that group out there and we will find a way to dig ourselves out of what we dug," he said. "You have to do it the right way and the right way is to do it today."

Francona also talked about Jason Kipnis' injury, saying the second baseman would be out at least 3 weeks. You can watch highlights from the pregame press conference in the video at the top of this post.

The NFL draft has grown bigger and bigger in Cleveland, in large part because of the Browns' struggles but also because it still offers the surest way to accelerate a turnaround.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Around this time every year, Browns fans long to see the team’s top executive standing before them on the night of the NFL draft flashing a larcenous smile.

With Mel Kiper Jr.’s permanent wave rising in tall salute to the Browns’ draft wizardry, the exec wears a look that says he’s just mugged the rest of the league and walked off with the goods.

“You find someone better,” he gloats of the franchise’s No. 1 pick, “and that man is Superman.”

For your unrewarded passion and loyalty, that’s what you deserve in the May 8 draft. You deserve the best player from here to Krypton one of these years. And not what you actually got in April 2000, when team president Carmen Policy said those exact words about No. 1 overall pick Courtney Brown.

“We touched as many people as we could on the face of this earth who had come into contact with Courtney Brown,” Carmen the Electric continued, “and the worst thing we heard was one of his teachers who said, 'There is only one of him.'”

Undaunted (or at least numbed) to such routine disappointments, you will gather Thursday for the NFL draft hoping the results are so spectacular that a radio station in town plasters billboards welcoming two new first-round picks. You’ll hope the choices of yet another new regime are so obviously game-changers that the billboards carry a postscript aimed at the new GM: “Thank you, Ray Farmer.”

Only that could possibly supplant the memory of “Thank you, Phil,” a billboard message that spoke to the overwhelming gratitude Browns fans felt for Phil Savage's selections of left tackle Joe Thomas and quarterback Brady Quinn in 2007.

After a draft in which the Dolphins passed on Quinn at No. 9 that year, WMMS program director Bo Matthews said of his billboards, “Come to think of it, maybe these should say 'Thank you, MIAMI' rather than 'Thank you, PHIL.’

That was the year the Dolphins chose Glenville and Ohio State star Ted Ginn Jr. with their ninth pick, then doubled back in the second round to find a quarterback: John Beck.

Two approaches, same result.

You wonder why we love the NFL draft in Cleveland so much. Other than the depressing reality that interest has grown in direct proportion to losing seasons piled high atop, it’s the hope that each draft could actually turn the franchise fortunes in one long weekend the way it did for Pittsburgh in 1974.

But it’s more than that. Even if the fortunes never turn, we're somehow OK with it.

Why? The draft is an even bigger communal event now after so many consecutive seasons winning five or fewer games than it was in 1999 and 2000 when a combined 24 picks fueled (or didn't) the Browns' rebirth.

The Browns have made over 100 picks since 1999. Eight have appeared in Pro Bowls. The Steelers have more than doubled that number.

Is it because we are a resilient people that the paltry payoff never really beats us down? Or do we actually have fresh faith that each new group of decision makers will figure out where the previous group went wrong?

Because the Browns have drafted so consistently high, the misses are more excruciating now than in the days when the misses were Clifford Charlton, Mike Junkin and Craig Powell.

Renewable energy and faith can’t explain the resolve of the fan base. You've witnessed a regime choose Gerard Warren over LaDainian Tomlinson and Richard Seymour, Kellen Winslow Jr. over Ben Roethlisberger. And come back for more.

You've seen tradeups and tradedowns, both meticulously (and wrongly) calculated for high yield – whether the yield be wins or future picks. You've found reasons to second-guess years later: Braylon Edwards picked 21 spots higher than Aaron Rodgers, Spergon Wynn taken 16 ahead of Tom Brady.

You've seen reasons to first-guess on draft day: How good would Julio Jones have looked in a Browns uniform? Especially now in tandem with Josh Gordon?

Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert traded future picks to grab Montario Hardesty and Trent Richardson when others in the league were already downgrading the value of running backs.

We’ve seen Eric Mangini trade down, down, down, and then strike gold with center Alex Mack. But instead of collecting more future picks, he settled for a collection of former Jets who barely impacted the franchise.

In the very next round, we watched Mangini take three right down the pipe -- Brian Robiskie, Mohamed Massaquoi and David Veikune in one of the greatest strikeouts in Browns draft history. And next year's draft talk began five minutes after that season's final game.

What fans deserve is the kind of draft that becomes a discussion topic for its excellence, the kind that sends people to Twitter in celebration.

Since J.Brown! RT @Stalley: Trent Richardson, best thing the Browns have ever done.

— Uncle Paulie (@LeDrunkenHippie) April 27, 2012

For better players next time around.

(Full disclosure: I was almost as effusive in my approval of the Richardson and Brandon Weeden selections.)

Over the years we have gathered annually for a renewal of vows between a loving fan base and a philandering husband. He promises he’s going to change. She happily signs up again – for bad or worse, for poor or poorer until death do they part.

Sometimes the connection lasts beyond our expiration dates, if you remember the request of Mansfield-born Scott Entsminger, whose obit in the Columbus Dispatch contained the line: “He respectfully requests six Cleveland Browns pall bearers so the Browns can let him down one last time.”

In the absence of a Super Bowl, the NFL draft is our Big Game. Sad? Crazy? OK. But in a city accustomed to losing from September through December, the appeal of the NFL draft is tied to the possibilities at best and the uncertain consequences it offers at worst.

When it’s over, rarely does it feel like a loss. It might not be a win. But it feels like one. And in this town, unfortunately, that’s something.

The draft invites communal bonding. Everybody has an opinion. Nobody has the market cornered on accuracy. If they did, we wouldn’t have Ahtyba Rubin in the sixth round and Courtney Brown No. 1 overall.

Maybe that’s it. You can't play the games. But in Cleveland, since 1999 especially, when the draft rolls around nobody can tell you your opinions are any less valid than the choices made in Berea. When that ceases to be the case, the Browns will be picking late in the first round.

It'll still be an event. But there won't be as much confetti to throw at the top overall selection -- either by a team executive or a billboard -- seeing as how we used up our supply in the Super Bowl championship parade.

Until then, Johnny Manziel is either Doug Flutie, or Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton.

And of each possibility, we are sure of it.

Some teams that have a need to fill in their front seven will miss out in the first couple of rounds. These are a few players who fit the profile of sleeper in this year's class and could make a team very happy on the second or third day of the draft.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - This year's draft is loaded with trench players. It's possible that 10 tackles (offensive and defensive) get selected in the first round. 

That doesn't even include pass rushers such as Jadeveon Clowney, Khalil Mack, Anthony Barr or Dee Ford, who could all hear their names called on Thursday as teams continue to put an emphasis on protecting and pressuring the quarterback.

Some teams that have a need in their front seven will miss out in the first couple of rounds. They will have to address it later on. These are a few players who fit the profile of sleeper in this year's class and could make a team very happy on the second or third day of the draft.

Marcus Smith, DE, Louisville

The former high school quarterback was not highly sought after. When he arrived at Louisville, the coaches made the decision to switch him to the defensive side of the ball. It turned out to be the right move. 

The Cardinals' Defensive MVP and Conference Player of the Year in 2013 finished with 18.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks in his final season at Louisville. 

Smith is fast, explosive and athletic. At 6-3 and 251 pounds, he also has good size to go with active hands in order to get around the edge. He needs to use his strength more and work on his pass-rushing moves, but with some development, Smith could turn into a sack specialist at the next level.

Caraun Reid, DT, Princeton

When you think about Princeton, you usually don't think about football. But Reid, overshadowed because of a terrific defensive tackle class, deserves some recognition. 

He didn't play football until high school, but became a self-made defensive force the last two seasons. Often seeing double teams, Reid, 6-2 and 302 pounds, still became an All-Conference performer and helped Princeton win an Ivy League title. 

He has good size, nimble feet and does a good job using his hands at the point of attack. Teams will love his versatility as he has experience lining up all across the defensive line, playing a variety of roles for the Tigers.

View full sizeKentucky linebacker Avery Williamson is coming off back-to-back 100-tackle seasons.Michael Conroy, Associated Press

Avery Williamson, ILB, Kentucky

After playing sparingly his first two seasons -- not making a single start -- Williamson became a full-time starter in Lexington, and his production skyrocketed the past two years. 

He was second in the SEC in tackles (135) in 2012 and recorded over 100 for the second straight year in 2013. At 6-1, 246, Williamson is tough and physical. The hard-hitting linebacker welcomes contact in the hole and attempts to lay big hits on ball-carriers. While not very athletic or explosive, Williamson makes up for his shortcomings with hard work, smarts and instincts. His anticipation and ability to read and react often puts him in the proper position to make plays.

Kevin Pierre-Louis, OLB, Boston College

It wasn't until this year when Pierre-Louis really started to gain attention. He finished his final season with career-bests in tackles (108), tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (6.0). 

He won't be a linebacker for everyone. He's short (6-0) and undersized (232 pounds), but plays bigger than he measures. Blessed with rare athleticism, an explosive first step and speed for the position, KPL makes plays sideline-to-sideline and closes on ball carriers in a hurry. 

Combine those traits with his smarts, showing good ability to read and react quickly, Pierre-Louis could become a quality starter if he learns how to disengage from blockers and can stay out of the trainer's room. 

The Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox turned in losing records in the first month of the season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox turned in losing records in the first month of the season.

The last-place Indians are in worse shape as losers of a season-high six straight and with Jason Kipnis on the disabled list entering Friday night's opener of a three-game home series against the White Sox.

Cleveland (11-17) completed an 0-6 trip in which it totaled 13 runs and batted .183 with Wednesday's 7-1 defeat to the Los Angeles Angels.

"It was a really tough trip. There's no way around it," manager Terry Francona said. "Not a lot went right for us. But we have to put it behind us. We have to go fix it, and we'll do that."

The game between the Indians and White Sox will be played at 7:05 p.m. It can be seen on SportsTime Ohio. It can also be heard on WTAM 1100 and 100.7 WMMS.

The Indians will have to try to fix it without Kipnis, who did not play Wednesday due to a strained abdominal muscle suffered the night before and was placed on the 15-day DL hours before this game. Kipnis is hitting .234 with three homers and 12 RBIs. The Indians recalled infielder Jose Ramirez from Triple-A Columbus. Ramirez has a .319 average with four homers and 17 RBIs in 23 games for the Clippers.

Offense isn't a concern for Chicago (14-15), averaging 5.3 runs for one of baseball's best marks. The White Sox have been undone by a 4.81 ERA that is among the worst in the majors, with starters Felipe Paulino and Chris Sale currently on the DL.

"Well you'd like it to be better obviously but when you're dealing with injuries and things like that, at least you're still in the mix," manager Robin Ventura said. "Guys offensively had a good month and you just want to keep that up and play better."

Chicago has lost six straight at Cleveland, going 1-8 at Progressive Field last season. The White Sox lost their final 14 meetings with the Indians in 2013 before taking three of four at home April 10-13. The first game of that series saw John Danks (2-1, 3.48 ERA) outpitch Danny Salazar (0-3, 6.04) in Chicago's 7-3 victory. Those starters meet again Friday.

Danks gave up three runs in six innings for his first win in seven home decisions against the Indians. He's 3-1 with a 2.79 ERA in his last six starts at Cleveland. The Indians are 3-8 against left-handed starters.

Francona may not want to start Michael Brantley since the outfielder is in a 1-for-17 slump and is 3 for 15 versus Danks. Carlos Santana is 2 for 15 against Danks and is one of baseball's worst hitters at .151.

Salazar yielded five runs in 3 2-3 innings the last time these teams met. That began a streak of three straight defeats in which the right-hander gave up five runs and failed to last past the fifth inning in each outing. That ended Sunday when he allowed one run in seven innings in a 4-1 loss at San Francisco.

Chicago's Alexei Ramirez is 6 for 7 against Salazar and went 7 for 16 with two homers and six RBIs in last month's series.

In 1995, Orel Hershiser won 20 games, 16 in the regular and four in the playoffs. He was 36 years old.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Orel Hershiser can still see it.

"You'd drive around and see Wahoo signs in almost every front yard," he said. "You'd walk into restaurants, and there were pictures of the players on the walls. I'd never quite seen anything like it. I get the chills just to think about it."

I spent nearly an hour on the phone with Hershiser, who is a member of the Dodgers broadcast team. He'd love to be in Cleveland for Saturday's game with the White Sox when the team is giving away his bobblehead. But he's doing the Dodgers game in Miami.

"Every time I go to Cleveland, the people make me feel so welcome," he said. "I love to talk Tribe."

Especially Tribe from the 1990s.

"The best year of my baseball life was 1988," said Hershiser. That was his Cy Young Award season with the Dodgers. Hershiser was 23-8 with a 2.26 ERA as the team won the World Series. He threw 15 complete games, eight shutouts and set a major-league record with 59 consecutive scoreless innings.

"But the best three years that I had were in Cleveland," he said of 1995-97. "Those three teams, those were Hall of Fame teams. I know, we didn't win a World Series, but what great teams. That was so much fun!"

Hershiser was 45-21 with a 4.21 ERA as an Indian. Twice, he pitched in the World Series.

"Every night was a sellout," he said. "Fans would stream into the park for batting practice, and our guys put on a laser show. Remember 1995? That was like being on one big hot streak. If we lost a game, we shrugged. No big deal. We'd win the next one."

Baseball was one big party for the Tribe in 1995.Plain Dealer file

He paused, then added, "We were a rock star baseball team."

Another pause, then he said, "The ovations that they gave us. Every player on the team felt like a star quarterback in a college town when you're ranked No. 1. We all were treated like stars."

Arriving in the snow

Hershiser was 36 when he signed with the Tribe on April 8, 1995. He was supposed to be a fourth or fifth starter, a veteran to help the young team. He was 6-6 with a 3.79 ERA for the Dodgers in 1994, and they offered him a 50 percent pay cut.

"I had two choices, the Indians or the Giants," said Hershiser. "I looked at Cleveland's roster and it looked like those guys would score seven runs a game. And they had a good bullpen."

Also, General Manager John Hart did a "great sales job, and I mean that in the best way" about what the Indians could mean to Hershiser at the end of his career.

"I remember the opening game was snowed out," he said. "I went (to his Westlake) home, and my two kids wanted to play baseball. So there we were in the front yard, in the snow, playing baseball. Later, one of the neighbors told me that they watched from the window and wondered who were these crazy people who had moved in."

In 1995, he was 16-6 with a 3.87 ERA in the regular season, then was 4-1 in the postseason. He won two games against Seattle in the ALCS, in which he was the MVP.

"Think about the lineup for that team," he said. "The heart of the order was Carlos (Baerga), Albert (Belle), Eddie (Murray), Jimmy (Thome) and Manny (Ramirez). Talk about Murderer's Row. Sandy (Alomar) could hit 15-20 homers, and he batted eighth or ninth. We didn't just beat people back then, we bludgeoned them."

The 1995 Indians were 100-44, the first Cleveland team to go to the World Series in 41 years.

Manny & Papi

Hershiser said Manny Ramirez would "follow me around like a puppy." Ramirez called Hershiser "Papi." When a new pitcher came into the game, Ramirez would approach Hershiser and say, "Papi, what's this guy got? What you think?"

Hershiser would say, "Manny, let me watch the guy warm up first!" Then he'd talk to Ramirez about what pitches to swing at, what pitches would break out of the strike zone.

"Manny was very serious about hitting," he said. "He wanted all the information he could get."

Hershiser mentioned how Hart brought in Dennis Martinez, Eddie Murray and himself to "teach the young guys how to win."

This was diversity at its best. Three veterans: One white, one black, one Latino. Hart didn't intend a racial quota system, he just wanted established stars who could be role models for his emerging team.

"It was a team with a strong personality and a lot of diversity," said Hershiser. "And it was really amazing how well everyone got along because the people were so different."

Omar Vizquel and Eddie Murray are two of Hershiser's favorite Tribe teammates.David I Anderson, The Plain Dealer

Omar & Cool

"In some ways, Omar (Vizquel) brought cool to Cleveland," said Hershiser. "He was flashy. He drove a yellow Porsche. He was an artist. He was a sharp dresser. But he had a personality that everyone loved. He could relate to young and old, liberals and conservatives -- everyone."

And Vizquel was one the greatest fielding shortstops -- ever.

"He and Carlos (Baerga) were like Latino dancers, a small Samba band up the middle," said Hershiser.

Hershiser believes that the veterans on that team -- Tony Pena, Martinez and Murray -- were the leaders needed by that team of young stars.

"One year, Albert didn't want to go to the All-Star Game," said Hershiser. "He was mad about something. I remember Eddie and I talking him into going. A lot of stuff like that went on -- we had some strong-willed people. John Hart said a big part of our job (the veterans) was talking to the young guys."

Former Cleveland Indians pitchers Bob Feller, right, and Orel Hershiser shake hands as Doug Jones, left center, and Len Barker look on during pregame ceremonies celebrating 100 years of Cleveland Indians in 2001. AP

One regret, one last memory

"I just wish we had won the World Series for the fans," he said. "I know that Jose Mesa gets a lot of blame (for not holding the lead in Game 7 of 1997). And some blame Tony Fernandez (for not reaching a ground ball in a critical part of the game). But I had a lousy World Series."

For a pitcher who loved the postseason and had earned a reputation as clutch pitcher, Hershiser was hammered in both of his 1997 starts, giving up 13 runs in 10 innings. He was 39.

He thanks the Indians and the fans for "giving me one last chance to get to the (baseball) mountain top."

He thinks back to 2001 when he was honored as one of the top 100 players in Tribe history.

"They introduced us (at a game), and when I came out there, they gave me a standing ovation," he said. "Just thinking about it now gives me goosebumps."

Cleveland placed second baseman Jason Kipnis on the 15-day disabled list on Friday. Kipnis suffered a strained right oblique during his second at-bat on Tuesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jason Kipnis has a warning for the Indians' training staff.

"Watch how much this training crew hates me after about a week," Kipnis said Friday afternoon.

The trainers will be the second baseman's most influential teammates for the immediate future. Kipnis landed on the 15-day disabled list on Friday as he initiates the healing process for a strained right oblique muscle. The move is retroactive to Wednesday, a day after Kipnis injured his abdominal area during a fourth-inning at-bat. To take Kipnis' spot on the roster, the Indians recalled infielder Jose Ramirez from Triple-A Columbus.

Kipnis, manager Terry Francona and general manager Chris Antonetti all suggested a timetable of three to five weeks for the All-Star's return. Kipnis identified Memorial Day, when the Indians will commence a three-game set in Chicago, as his target.

"These types of injuries," Francona said, "we have to let that thing settle down and get all the pain out of there before he can start doing physical activity."

Kipnis said he will spend a week resting and icing the affected region before the staff reassesses the injury. He sat out Wednesday's affair in Anaheim and underwent an MRI on Thursday. The exam declared that the strain was more severe than the team originally thought.

"It's not really one of those ones you can play through," Kipnis said. "You have to let it fully recover and then slowly work your way back through it. If you push it and you re-injure it, you're right back at step one and it's not something you want to linger for the entire season."

Kipnis is batting .234 (22-for-94) with a .354 on-base percentage, three home runs and 12 RBIs in 27 games. Last season, Kipnis posted a .284 average with 17 homers, 84 RBIs, 36 doubles and 30 stolen bases.

Ramirez, 21, was hitting .319 (29-for-91) with four homers and 17 RBIs in 23 contests for the Clippers. He collected four hits in 12 at-bats during a brief cameo with the Tribe last September.

"He's impacting the games with his glove, his legs, his bat, energy," Francona said. "As much as you don't want to see Kip get hurt, it's exciting to get a chance to look at Jose a bit, too."

The Indians also have Mike Aviles and Elliot Johnson available at second base.

This marks Kipnis' second career stint on the DL. He was sidelined in August 2011 with a right hamstring strain, suffered while stretching prior to a game at U.S. Cellular Field. Kipnis had actually missed the previous week with a similar injury to his oblique.

"As a player, you always want to get on the field," Kipnis said. "You never like watching the game. You never want to just sit back and feel helpless and not be able to help out the team."

The Mid-American Conference will have first-round picks in consecutive years for the first time in its history.

BEREA, Ohio – University of Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack felt slighted -- a sense many Mid-American Conference football players could identify with when facing more prominent opposition.

The edge rusher was one of the conference’s top returning performers, but in the 2013 season opener in Columbus, Ohio State chose to rarely double team him.

“I feel it was, sort of, a little disrespect from a schematic approach,” Mack said at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. “But, at the same time, I wanted to make them pay for it.”

Did he ever. Mack registered nine tackles, 2.5 sacks and returned a Braxton Miller interception for a 45-yard touchdown. He was the best player on the field in a 40-20 loss and his effort propelled him to a breakout season that is expected to make Mack a top-5 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

The thick-bodied linebacker, who’s arguably the most complete prospect, might not be the only MAC standout shaking commissioner Roger Goodell’s hand on Thursday night in New York. Northern Illinois safety Jimmie Ward also could be chosen in the first round.

The development of Mack and Ward -- not to mention former Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher, the No. 1 pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013 -- has coincided with the MAC’s effort to place a greater emphasis on football. Over the past five years, a conference better known for basketball has focused on raising its competitive level and profile on the gridiron. It’s poured funds and resources into everything from marketing to coaches’ compensation to scheduling.

Obviously, winning games is the priority and the MAC has done more of that in recent years, going 4-1 in bowl games during the 2011 season. It also qualified Northern Illinois for the Orange Bowl against Florida State during a 2012 season that included a MAC-record seven bowl-eligible teams.

A byproduct of the improvement is seeing more players climb up the NFL draft board. The MAC has sent a steady stream of prospects to the league over the years, but it’s never had players taken in the first round in consecutive years. That will change Thursday when Mack hears his name called.

In February, NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said the linebacker could go No. 1 overall and this week cited Mack again when asked by Sports Illustrated for the “most-can’t-miss-player regardless of position.”

“Mike Mayock is the man,” Mack said laughing. “He's the man, I want to prove him right.”

Dane Brugler, a CBSSports.com analyst, said Mack and Ward are two of his favorite prospects in this year’s draft. He thought Ward was outstanding in the Huskies’ 31-10 loss in the Orange Bowl.

“You know what you’re getting with both of these players,” Brugler said. “They are going to have long careers in the NFL.”

Nobody would have anticipated that five years ago when a 6-foot-1, 215-pound Mack received scant scholarship offers after playing only one season of high school football in Fort Pierce, Fla. The Bulls red-shirted him and pointed him to the university’s weight room, where he sculpted a frame that now measures 6-3, 251 pounds.

Kent State athletic director Joel Nielsen believes conference coaching staffs are not only doing a better job of identifying talent, but developing it. The Flashes could have a player selected in the top three rounds for a second straight year if speedy running back Dri Archer goes in the third round as some expect.

Mack won’t have to wait nearly as long. He blossomed into the MAC Defensive Player of the Year after coach Jeff Quinn helped convince the linebacker to stay for his senior season. The Bulls won a program-best eight games and reached a bowl game for just the second time in school history. Mack leaves Buffalo with an NCAA record for forced fumbles (16), while tying another mark with 75 tackles for loss.

The Browns are believed to be strongly considering Mack with their No. 4 pick, if he lasts that long. Head coach Mike Pettine and defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil attended his pro day.

General Manager Ray Farmer spoke glowingly of Mack on Monday.

“Really good football player, explosive, he can rush the passer, play in coverage, he can do a little bit of everything,” Farmer said. “In general terms, I’d say a physical anomaly for the conference he plays in. This guy looks like the real deal. When he got on bigger stages he demonstrated he could perform. That’s what you want to see. You want to see a guy who has the ability to play on the big stage.”

The Browns general manager said in an age of instant gratification he isn’t surprised the MAC is producing players such as Mack and Ward.

“College football is becoming a landscape where the average kid isn’t going to the football powerhouse to sit on the bench and watch,” Farmer said. “He wants to go play. Regardless if he was overlooked or people second-guessed him coming out of high school, those players are now willing to go other places to demonstrate their ability to contribute and play football.”

The MAC also is gaining greater exposure for its willingness to play prime-time midweek games. Once ridiculed for the decision to buckle up chinstraps on Tuesday nights in November, the conference has benefited from it.

Contracts for head coaches and top assistants are improving even as their compensation still ranks near the bottom of the Division I pay grade. A new ESPN deal, currently being negotiated, can only help.

MAC decision makers have scheduled more home-and-home non-conference games and fewer paycheck games that often leave their teams licking wounds on the way to the bank. They also are getting their non-conference tilts completed early in the schedule so ESPN can feature the important late-season clashes.

“We loved playing on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday nights because it gave everyone a chance to watch us play,” said Browns guard John Greco, a 2008 third-round pick from Toledo. “Playing those games we felt like we were the showcase whether that was reality or not. We felt like the true football fans were going to be watching because there were no other games on except ours.”

Those games serve as a tremendous recruiting tool. The MAC should earn another prime-time bump on Thursday when Mack follows in the footsteps of Fisher at Radio City Music Hall.

“It’s great because it helps heighten our level of notoriety,” Nielsen said. “We couldn’t be more proud as a conference.”