On the eve of the NFL draft, there's about a 60 percent chance that the Browns will stay put with the sixth pick in Thursday's first round. But a report surfaced that they might try to trade up to grab Brigham Young pass-rusher Ziggy Ansah.

View full sizeChris Morris, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On the eve of the NFL draft, the Browns' chances of staying at No. 6 and selecting a player were about 60 percent, a league source said. But a report surfaced that the Browns might trade up to No. 3 with the Raiders to take Brigham Young pass rusher Ziggy Ansah.

The report came from Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports, who tweeted, "Hearing some chatter from multiple NFL sources that the Raiders may be trying to trade down from 3 overall ... w/Browns as possible partner."

He added, "If Cleveland trades up to get the Raiders' pick at 3, I believe Browns are targeting Ansah."

Ansah (6-5, 271) is the big, fast, raw defensive end born and raised in Ghana who came to the United States to play at Brigham Young. He's enjoyed a meteoric rise after a stellar senior season and a dominating performance in the Senior Bowl.

With most teams expecting offensive tackles Luke Joeckel of Texas A&M and Eric Fisher of Central Michigan to be taken with the first two picks, Ansah could be there at No. 3, and the thought is that any team coveting him would have to leapfrog the Lions at No. 5. The Raiders might be targeting Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and think they can get him at No. 6.

The Browns are also considering giving up a mid-round pick for Dolphins wide receiver Davone Bess, who's on the trading block. A source confirmed for The Plain Dealer a report by Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times that the Browns are seriously interested in picking up Bess. If the Browns move up to No. 3 and also trade for Bess, it could make for a quiet remainder of the draft, which is Thursday through Saturday.

The Browns are also believed to be enamored with Oregon pass-rusher Dion Jordan, who's built like a small forward and would be an explosive edge-rusher to pair with Paul Kruger. If the Browns land a rusher such as Ansah or Jordan, they might try to trade Jabaal Sheard, who's trying to make the transition from left end to right outside linebacker.

Jordan, who underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in March, is another player who could be gone by No. 6. If the Browns do trade up to No. 3, they might also have their eye on Jordan.

In the event the Browns stay at No. 6 and both Ansah and Jordan are gone, they might try to trade the pick. One teams believed to be interested in moving up is San Diego at No. 11. The Chargers might be after Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson and be willing to deal to get him. In that scenario, one possibility for the Browns would be LSU defensive end/linebacker Barkevious Mingo, who visited the club earlier this month and got a great vibe from defensive line coach Joe Cullen.

Plenty of draft observers have the Browns taking Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner, and that apparently remains a possibility. But CEO Joe Banner would seem to prefer one of the premier positions: a quarterback, offensive lineman or pass-rusher.

Milliner has undergone five surgeries throughout his career, including a torn labrum repair on March 12. He told The Plain Dealer last week that he'll be "full strength by training or sometime in August at the latest." Wednesday, at a pre-draft event, he defended himself against the pre-draft concerns.

"I'm doing great, and I'm already ahead of schedule," he said. "I'll be back well before training camp. [Doctors] said everything looked good, looked fine, and that everything is healed up."

Milliner, who played for former Browns defensive coordinator Nick Saban, would be pro-ready and fill the glaring need for a starter opposite Joe Haden.

A number of mock drafts jumped on the Geno Smith bandwagon on Wednesday, with NFL Network's Mike Mayock predicting the Browns will take him at No. 6. Sports Illustrated's Peter King has the Browns moving down to No. 11 and taking Smith there. King wrote in his latest mock "Don't let the smokescreen acquisition of Jason Campbell, a backup, fool you: the Browns want a QB in this draft, and they get one."

NFL Network's Solomon Wilcots, who's camped out in Berea, said Banner told him quarterback is by far the most important and that "it's not even close."

A league source said it's unlikely the Browns will take Smith at No. 6. But he might be more in the mix if they trade down. Reports also linked the team to Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel, with whom they conducted a private workout on Saturday.

Smith's agent, Eric Burkhardt, told the Plain Dealer that he's been "constant contact with multiple teams in the top nine. It's all the same old suspects, the teams that have worked Geno out. It's Jacksonville (No. 2), Oakland (3), Philadelphia (4), Cleveland (6), Arizona (7), Buffalo (8) and New York (9). I definitely think he's in the mix with some of those teams."

If the Browns don't take a quarterback in the first round, they could always look to Manuel in the second round -- if they replace that pick -- or even more of a developmental quarterback such as Arizona's Matt Scott later.

Videos and links to stories on Floyd, whom many analysts had expected to be picked in the first half of the round.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Florida Gators defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd has been picked by the Minnesota Vikings with the 23rd selection in the first round of the 2013 draft.

Many analysts had expected Floyd to be taken in the first half of the round.

(Scroll down for story links and videos on Floyd)

From a scouting report on Floyd by WalterFootball.com:

Floyd had a great Combine workout. He ran the 40 in a stunning 4.87 seconds unofficially with a 10-yard split of 1.68 seconds. Floyd was also phenomenal in the field drills with quick feet and good movement skills. It was obvious that he has amazing athleticism for an interior defensive lineman.

Floyd is extremely fast at the point of attack. He fires his gap and quickly gets penetration into the backfield. Once Floyd gains leverage, he is tough to stop since he has the strength to shed blocks and maintain his balance with blockers pushing on him.

Links to stories on Sharrif Floyd:

Sharrif Floyd, with the loving help of those around him, overcame the difficulty of growing up in a tough neighborhood to become a top NFL prospect. (By Joseph Santoliquito, Philadelphia Daily News, April 20, 2013)

Sharrif Floyd's draft status rose as talent scouts analyzed film, and as he excelled at the NFL scouting combine and Florida's Pro Day. (By Hays Carlyon, The Florida Times-Union, April 20, 2013)

The story of Sharrif Floyd and the couple who adopted him while he was at the University of Florida. (By Mark Eckel, NJ.com, April 15, 2013)

Sharrif Floyd was 3 when the father he didn't know was murdered, part of a difficult childhood for the youngster, who was bullied by another man and whose mother fought a drug addiction. (By Jeff Darlington, NFL.com, March 21, 2013)

Sharrif Floyd, who grew up in Philadelphia, becomes a potential top five draft pick -- and the Philadelphia Eagles, having the No. 4 pick, need to bolster their defense. (By Reuben Frank, csnphilly.com, Feb. 25, 2013)

Sharrif Floyd is adopted by the family that provided benefits that led to a two-game suspension for him at the beginning of the 2011 season. (By Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, Nov. 13, 2012)

Scouting report on Sharrif Floyd, including his scouting combine and Florida Pro Day results. (nfldraftscout.com)

Video: Scouting the play of defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, with analysis by CBSSports.com, ESPN SCOUTS INC. and NFL.com:

Video: Sharrif Floyd interviewed and working out at the Scouting Combine, in an NFL Network video:

Video: From an ESPN telecast, the focus is on Sharrif Floyd in the Florida vs. Florida State game:

Watch highlights of the Cleveland Browns press conference in Berea after they selected defensive end Barkevious Mingo in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns Joe Banner, Mike Lombardi and Rob Chudzinski discuss their selection of LSU defensive end Barkevious "KeKe" Mingo with the sixth pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft with the media gathered at their headquarters in Berea.

Follow on Twitter: @CLEvideos

Everything seemed so calm and orderly at Jimmy Haslam's first NFL draft for the Browns that top decision-makers were ready to go to sleep soon after they made their pick at No. 6. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Nearly two hours before the Browns would select Barkevious Mingo with their first-round pick in the NFL Draft, Joe Banner sat smack in the middle of the chaos, watching and listening. He was comfortable and relaxed in a fuzzy, red sweater. He was calm and composed, with his hands folded in his lap.

If Banner was worried or nervous about his first Browns draft, about ensuring that he made a pick that would set the perfect tone for owner Jimmy Haslam's first full season at the franchise helm, it didn't show in the "war room."

Banner was, in fact, so mellow that by the time he came out to tell media why defensive end Mingo was the best choice for these Browns, he was ready to move on to his next task.

"We're going to sleep," Banner said wryly.

It was 9:50 p.m. and the draft was only on pick No. 14. It would be safe to assume Banner was joking . . . if he didn't seem so confident and calm.

From the press conference discussing Mingo, Banner went on to speak quickly with NFL Network's Solomon Wilcots. Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski was quickly surrounded by a semicircle of Browns sponsors who were at the team headquarters for a draft party.

It was a brief break for the Browns CEO and the coach before they would retreat to the "war room," in Berea.

There, they would join owner Haslam, general manager Mike Lombardi and a handful of Browns personnel staff. Most in the room, gathered around a large conference table, deftly juggled laptop computers and cellphones. Enormous flat-screen TVs lined one wall, while a white board listing every NFL team was ready to be filled in with names on the opposite wall.

And identical, thick binders filled with the Browns' draft strategy littered much of the space not overtaken by laptop computers or notebooks.

Just a few hours before the draft began, Banner said in a radio interview that he was "65 percent" sure that the player they hoped for would be available at No. 6.

And about an hour before the first pick was selected, owner Haslam grabbed a microphone to address the group of sponsors gathered in the Browns' indoor practice facility for the draft party. Haslam did not take any questions, but he expressed confidence in the work Banner, Lombardi and Chudzinski already were doing in the Browns war room.

"(We) had a good free agency, still have plenty of cap room, have a great draft, need to have another good free agency, have another great draft," Haslam said. "If we do that, we'll be able to compete in our division. Let's face it, if you can compete in our division, you got a chance to win the Super Bowl, right?"

So there was no need to worry or fret about this draft. Maybe Banner didn't go straight to bed after speaking about selecting Mingo, he did manage to scroll through his cellphone while he still sat at the podium answering media questions -- a sure sign that all wasn't quite as quiet as his demeanor might have suggested.

And Chudzinski confirmed that while it might all seem orderly, there was still much going on behind the scenes.

"We're going to bed, but maybe not sleeping that much," he said.

Highland's boys tennis team used balance to win Thursday's match against neighborhood rival Medina. A 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory by the first doubles team of Logan Gsellman and Vince Luth proved the difference in the 3-2 victory, which raised the Hornets' record to 10-2.

Highland's boys tennis team used balance to win Thursday's match against neighborhood rival Medina.

A 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory by the first doubles team of Logan Gsellman and Vince Luth proved the difference in the 3-2 victory, which raised the Hornets' record to 10-2.

Softball

Fairport 7, Cornerstone Christian: Cora Paolino tossed a two-hitter, walked three and stuck out nine in the win. Hannah Hites' triple and two RBI paced the Skippers, who benefited from six Cornerstone errors.

Woodridge 17, Ravenna 6: Kylie Gregory's three doubles, five RBI and two runs led the Bulldogs to the Portage Trail Conference crossover-game rout.

Perry 8, Madison 6: Jenny and Susie Mettler and Emiley Westfall combined for six of the Pirates' 10 hits and three RBI to lead Perry to victory.

Northwestern 6, Cloverleaf 4: Northwestern's two runs in the top of the fourth inning was the margin of victory. Karissa Kelling and KD Smith each had doubles for the Colts.

Highland 14, Triway 4: Taylor MacWade, Kaitlin Krajcik and winning pitcher AnnMarie Kirchner had six of the Hornets' 12 hits and each drove in two runs in the win.

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 2, Timken 0: The Royals' Nicole Mohler held Timken to three hits while walking one and striking out five. CVCA scored their runs in the bottom of the fourth inning on singles by Cassie Hudson, Jordan Budrevich and Taylor Dittrich. Emily Herston was hit by a pitch before Abby Kebbel drew a bases-loaded walk.

Baseball

West Geauga 7, Brush 6 (8): Alex Grazia got on board via one of six Brush errors, moved to third on another error and scored the winning run in the top of the eighth inning on Mike Koller's grounder. Koller's two hits, two stolen bases and three RBI led the Wolverines.

Eastlake North 4, Chardon 2: Jay Milo pitched a two-hitter and struck out five to earn the Premier Athletic Conference victory. Kevin Evar had a double and four RBI.

Lutheran West 15, Brookside 12: The teams combined for 25 hits, as Aaron Geye had a double, triple and six RBI for the Longhorns in the Patriot Athletic Conference crossover game.

Revere 17, Green 9: Sam Susteric had five doubles, scored three runs and had six RBI in the Suburban League win.

Lake Catholic 8, Riverside 5: The Cougars were outhit, 8-7, but played flawless defense for the victory. Riverside committed three errors.

Western Reserve Academy 9, Streetsboro 2: Joey Mylott's double and two RBI, along with Patrick Mylott's two singles and two runs scored, led WRA to the victory.

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 8, St. Vincent-St. Mary 6: The Royals scored all of their runs in the bottom of the second inning for the win. Jon Hicks had three hits, including a double, to drive in three runs for CVCA.

Girls lacrosse

Hathaway Brown 8, Cleveland Heights 5: Josie Strang and Lily Benjamin each had three goals to lead the Blazers to victory.

Boys volleyball

Villa Angela-St. Joseph 3, North Royalton 0: Conner Gail and Matt Bergant combined for 11 kills, and Lenny Cervenik had 15 assists as the Vikings swept the Bears.

Videos and links to stories on Rhodes, a big cornerback with great leaping ability.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes has been selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 25th pick in the first round of the 2013 draft.

The Vikings also had the 23rd pick, which they used to take Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd.

(Scroll down for videos and links to stories on Rhodes)

A scouting report on Rhodes by WalterFootball.com includes:

As a pro, Rhodes will be a very good cornerback to match up against big receivers. He has the height and strength to be physical with them. Rhodes is very adept at taking away fade passes in the red zone. As a tall corner, his great length makes it tough to get the ball by him. He can also run with big receivers in their routes and keep them from gaining separation.

Rhodes has the ability to play press-man coverage. He also is excellent in zone coverage. The aspect Rhodes should work on is off man coverage. While he is a big corner capable of handling receivers with size, he could have some problems with the smaller speed wide outs like Mike Wallace. Rhodes' NFL team would be better off keeping him matched up against the big receivers.

Links to stories on Xavier Rhodes:

Xavier Rhodes, with his size and physical play at cornerback, is coming into the NFL at the right time. (By Doug Farrar, Yahoo! Sports, April 19, 2013)

Xavier Rhodes develops into a top cornerback, which he didn't want to play in high school after a newspaper photo showed him giving up a completion during his first game at the position. (By David M. Hale, ESPN.com NoleNation, Oct. 17, 2012)

An NFL draft player profile on Xavier Rhodes, including his scouting combine and Florida State Pro Day results. (nfldraftscout.com)

Xavier Rhodes went to Florida State intending to play wide receiver, but when he began to work at playing cornerback and was encouraged by teammates and coaches, he began to enjoy his new role. (By Tim Linafelt, floridastate.247sports.com, Oct. 2012)

Going into the 2012 season, Xavier Rhodes talks about leadership and downplays talk about a possible NFL career. (By Patrick Nohe, Miami Herald)

Scouting report on Xavier Rhodes, who should be able to match up with virtually any type of receiver. (National Football Post)

Biography and a scouting report on a top NFL draft prospect, Xavier Rhodes. (milehighreport.com)

Video: Strengths and weaknesses in the play of cornerback Xavier Rhodes, with analysis by ESPN SCOUTS INC. and NFL.com:

Video: A SEMINOLES.com interview with Xavier Rhodes:

Video: Analysis of Xavier Rhodes playing cornerback, by former Wake Forest quarterback Ryan Skinner and the ACCDigitalNetwork:

Baseball Note: Due to technical difficulties, some away and home teams may be reversed and team information may be missing.

Baseball

Note: Due to technical difficulties, some away and home teams may be reversed and team information may be missing.

PATRIOT ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Crossover

Brookside303 510 --12 11 1

Lutheran West105 315 --15 14 3

B (4-8, 1-6): Blotzer (L, 0-2). LW (7-5, 5-3): Kunze (W, 3-2).

Notable: Geye (LW) 2-3, 2B, 3B, 2 R, SB, 6 RBI.

PREMIER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Eastlake010 102 0-- 4 7 0

Chardon100 100 0-- 2 5 1

EN (10-4): Milo (W, 2-1). C (5-7): Ward (L, 0-1). HR: Lescoezez (C).

Notable: Evar (EN) 4 RBI.

WEST SHORE CONFERENCE

Bay000 100 0-- 1 2 2

Rocky River100 011 x-- 3 6 3

B (0-12, 0-6): Watterson (L, 0-3). RR (3-8, 2-4): Williams (W, 2-1). S: Kadlec.

Notable: Williams (RR) 6 IP, 6K.

NONLEAGUE

WRA240 21 -- 9 7 2

Streetsboro000 02 -- 2 4 3

S (4-9): Simpkins (L, 1-3). WRA (8-4): Kramer (W, 3-1).

Notable: Mylott (WRA) 2B, 2 RBI, SB.

Riverside101 020 1-- 5 8 3

Lake Catholic303 020 0-- 8 7 0

CVCA080 000 -- 8 7 1

Timken000 000 -- 0 3 1

CVCA (7-4): Ryan (W, 2-1). SV (5-8): Whaley (L, 1-3).

Notable: Hicks (CVCA) 2B, 2 -1B, R, 3 RBI.

Green230 133 0--12 9 1

Revere341 015 x--14 17 5

R (3-12, 3-5): Brzuziewski (W, 1-0). G (3-11, 3-5): Kortze (L, 0-2).

Notable: Sustersic (R) 5-2B, 6 RBI 3 R.

Extra innings

West Geauga102 111 01-- 7 11 1

Brush112 010 10-- 6 7 4

WG (5-6): Grazia (W, 1-0). B (4-4): Brizee (L).

Notable: Koller (WG) 2-4, BB, 2-SB, 3 RBI.

Softball

Note: Due to technical difficulties, some away and home teams may be reversed and team information may be missing.

PRINCIPALS' ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Timken000 000 0--0 3 1

CVCA000 200 x--2 5 2

T (2-7, 0-6): Bell. CVCA (8-6, 3-3): Mohler (W, 7-5).

Notable: Budrevich (CVCA) R, RBI.

NONLEAGUE

Cornerstone Chris.100 01 --2 2 6

Fairport112 3x --7 2 1

F: Paolino (W). CC (1-5): Toma (L, 1-3).

Notable: Hites (F) 3B, RBI.

Madison300 000 3--6 8 1

Perry110 700 -- 9 10 0

Ravenna300 120 -- 6 6 5

Woodridge235 052 --17 12 4

R (1-11, 0-6): O'Donnell (L, 1-4). W (4-8, 2-4): Schneider (W, 4-7).

Notable: Gregory (W) 3-2B, 2 R, 5 RBI.

Triway100 012 -- 4 7 1

Highland203 027 --14 12 1

T (2-10): Becker (L). H (9-4): Kirchner (W, 7-3).

Notable: MacWhade (H) 3B, 1B, 2 RBI.

Northwestern400 200 0--6 6 3

Cloverleaf202 000 0--4 6 3

N (5-9): Basinger (W). C (6-9): Lewarchick (L, 2-5).

Notable: Kelling (C) 2B, 2 RBI.

Boys track

Lutheran West 781/2, Wellington 461/2, Oberlin 18

Shot put: S. Miller (W) 39.4. Discus: L. Hamlescher (LW) 107-21/2. High jump: R. O'Connor (LW) 5-6. Long jump: R. O'Connor (LW) 18-11/2. 4x800: LW (Fuchs, Giguere, Watson, Brown) 9:34.8. 110H: x. 100: P. Koza (LW) 11.6. 4x200: LW (Ross, Carper, Joyce, Koza) 1:43.1. 1,600: Perales (O) 4:57. 4x100: LW (Ross, Bayness, Knudsen, Koza) 47.6. 400: C. Carper (LW) 56.3. 300H: x. 800: B. Giguere (LW) 2:22. 200: P. Koza (LW) 23.3. 3,200: Perales (O) 10:55.7. 4x400: W (Dodell, Farnsworth, Byers, Miller) 4:08.1.

Midpark 73, Olmsted Falls 64

Shot Put: Profitt (M) 39-4; Discus: Sladick (M) 136-8; Long Jump: Gib (OF) 19-101/2; High Jump: Colon (OF) 6-0; Pole Vault: Nageotte (OF) 13-6; 4x800: M (Ellis, Singh, Myers, Styles) 8:39.4; 110H: Gib(OF) 15.7; 100: Levin (OF) 11.2; 4x200: OF (Partlow, Meadows, Hoyett, Levin) 1:35.2; 1600: Janekowski (M) 4:54.9; 4 x 100: OF(Gib, Meadows, Hoyett, Hudson) 44.2; 400: Lambermont(OF) 55.4. 300H: Hudson (OF) 42.8; 800: Styles (M) 2:00.6; 200: Myers (M) 22.6; 3200: Ellis (M) 10:31.3; 4x400: M(Ruiz, Styles, McCormick, Myers) 3:38.5.

Nordonia 103, Highland 34

Shot put: Woicehovich (N) 43-11. Discus: Helkowski (N) 133-4. High jump: (N) 6-0. Long jump: Ward (N) 20-1. Pole vault: Simmons (H) 12-6. 4x800: N (Demien, Thaxton, Karnow, Pastor) 8:46.5. 110H: Washington (N) 15.4. 100: Nobles (N) 11.4. 4x200: N (Stallworth, Truett, Wilson, Brabson) 1:38.7. 1,600: Zaborski (N) 4:41. 4x100: N (Johnson, Brabson, Wilson, Truett) 46.1. 400: Rorapaugh (H) 52.1. 300H: Washington (N) 42.5. 800: Arbuckle (H) 2:00. 200: Nobles (N) 23.1. 3,200: Thaxton (N) 10:19. 4x400: H (Hadchiti, Small, Rorapaugh, Namoski) 3:44.3.

North Royalton 81, Strongsville 56

Shot put: Martella (N) 48-2. Discus: Stazie (N) 145-10 1/2. High jump: Bohland (N) 5-10. Long jump: Robinson (N) 20-11. Pole vault: Stephano (S) 13-0. 4x800: Strongsville (Murray, McGuire, Kovachik, Collins) 8:30.7. 110H: Floyd (S) 14.71. 100: Lint (N) 11.33. 4x200: North Royalton (Smith, Woods, Esser, Lint) 1:35.5. 1,600: DeMattie (N) 4:47.46. 4x100: North Royalton (Smith, Pence, Woods, Lint) 47.08. 400: Vulic (S) 55.76. 300H: Floyd (S) 41.93. 800: Collins (S) 2:03.71. 200: Woods (N) 23.54. 3,200: Papish (S) 10:38.0. 4x400: North Royalton (Woods, Antonio, Bohland, Sidle) 3:40.33.

Girls track

Lutheran West 105, Wellington 36, Oberlin 2

Shot put: J. Ragland (LW) 36-6. Discus: J. Ragland 102-11/2. High jump: N. Swanson 4-9. Long jump: N. Swanson 13-01/2. 4x800: LW (Nuti, Bierly, Tomola, Vasiloff) 11:05.6. 100H: A. Henry (LW) 19.38. 100: N. Reeves (LW) 14.09. 4x200: W (Coley, Hornect, Goins, Kastl) 2:02.8. 1,600: M. Bierly (LW) 5:52.6. 4x100: W (Coley, Hornect, Wojonowski, Kastl) 56.6. 400: L. Tomola (LW) 1:09.3. 300H: x. 800: M. Nuti (LW) 2:38.2. 200: Hornect (W) 29.95. 3,200: Vasiloff (LW) 14:27.3. 4x400: LW (Swanson, Tomola, Centeno, Nuti) 4:56.3.

Nordonia 80 , Highland 57

Shot put: Szekely (H) 32-3 (3/4). Discus: Victor (N) 108-11. High jump: Koval (H) 5-2. Long jump: McKenna (H) 14-11 (1/2). Pole vault: Velazquez (N) 7-6. 4x800: Nordonia (n/a). 100H: McDonald (N) 16.1. 100: Duale (H) 12.8. 4x200: Nordonia (Crawley, Shine, Kozsey, McDonald) 1:47.9. 1,600: Vasarhelyi (N) 5:24. 4x100: Highland (Duale, Springhetti, Zuro, Sours) 51.8. 400: Crawley (N) 61.8. 300H: McDonald (N) 45.6. 800: Simmons (N) 2:31. 200: Duale (H) 27.0. 3,200: Risley (N) 11:49. 4x400: Highland (Hoynes, Springhetti, Sours, Zuro) 4:20.

North Royalton 77, Strongsville 60

Shot put: Jaimes (N) 32-8. Discus: Jaimes (N) 106-0. High jump: Martin (S) 5-2. Long jump: Sievers (S) 16-1. Pole vault: Stewart (S) 9-6. 4x800: North Royalton (Tyma, Kuzma, Dombrowski, Herron) 10:21.46. 100H: Greywacz (S) 17.46. 100: Badamo (N) 13.07. 4x200: Strongsville (Ciborek, Sievers, Pritchard, Martin) 1:49.75. 1,600: Kuzma (N) 5:43.72. 4x100: Strongsville (Ciborek, Pritchard, Martin, Sievers) 51.85. 400: Herron (N) 63.51. 300H: D'Ambrosia (N) 53.67. 800: Erdelac (S) 2:37.44. 200: Ciborek (S) 27.11. 3,200: Camardo (S) 11:49.0. 4x400: North Royalton (Herron, Flis, Barrett, Kuhar) 4:14.42.

Olmsted Falls 106, Midpark 30

Shot Put: Simmons (OF) 33-5; Discus: Salamah (OF) 101-9; Long Jump: Buckholtz (M) 14- 10: High Jump: Carney (M) 4- 8; Pole Vault: Marken (M) 9-6; 4x800: OF (Burnell, Vargas, Phillips, Baszuk) 11:45.1 100H: Augustin (OF) 15.8 00: Duber (OF) 12.8; 4x200: M (Yasenchick, Jaracovic, Leibold, Sellman) 2:40.8; 1600: Kadar(OF) 5:53.2; 4x100: OF (E. Hoadley, Meketa, Klypchak, Augustin)53.5; 400: M. Hoadley (OF) 66.9; 300H: E. Hoadley (OF) 53.7; 800: Ferster (OF) 2:22.2; 200: Augustin (OF) 28.2; 3200: Baszuk(OF) 13:49.9; 4x400: OF (Klypchak, M. Hoadley, Burnell, Kadar) 4:45.8.

Boys tennis

Hawken 5, Bay 0

Singles: Ahuja d. Myess 6-0, 6-0; Yadav d. Reiss 6-0, 6-1; Lee d. Hippler 6-2, 6-0.

Doubles: Khosla/Modi d. Messina/Eenders 6-3, 6-0; Pollock/Rankin d. Huntley/Cruse 6-1, 6-2.

Highland 3, Medina 2

Singles: Liebler (M) d. Smykal 3-6, 7-5, 5-1, ret., Hutchings (H) d. Varney 6-3, 6-1; Hadler (H) d. Martinez 6-0, 6-2.

Doubles: Gsellman/Luth (H) d. Yoder/Bachir 7-6 (7-3), 6-3; King/Pazgan-Lorenzo (M) d. Kelly/Joyce 6-1, 6-3.

Revere 5, Nordonia 0

Singles: Hendrickson d. DiSiena 6-0, 6-0; Carano d. J. Kent 6-1, 6-1; Harris d. Kaczmarek 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles: Jin/Kumar d. Borovicko/M. Kent 6-1, 6-0; Gersman/Hansen d. Zalar/Lee 6-1, 6-0.

St. Ignatius 5, Strongsville 0

Singles: Griffin d. Bringman 6-0, 6-1; Zuber d. Arney 6-2, 6-0; Frebes d. Dahman 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles: Sicilano/Kirchner d. Gulden/Hayak 6-0, 6-0; Fehn/Boakge d. Hinckley/Arif 6-0, 6-0.

St. John's School 3, Andrews Osborne Ac. 2

Singles: Yang (AOA) d. Pinelli 6-3, 6-3; Massucci (St. J) d. Pozdneev 3-6, 6-2, 7-6; Zhang (AOA) d. Ferrante 6-4, 6-3.

Doubles: Cimorelli/Kovacs (St. J) d. Zheng/Li 1-6, 6-3, 7-6; Rocco/Fowler (St. J) d. Lippert/Jessen 6-0, 6-1.

Late result

St. Ignatius 3, Walsh Jesuit 2

Singles: Sandberg (W) d. Griffin 7-6 (5), 6-0; Zuber (I) d. Miles 6-0, 6-4; G. Ring (W) d. Frebes 7-6 (4), 7-5.

Doubles: Siciliano/Kirchner (I) d. oyce/Skinbaum 6-2, 6-2; Boakye/Fehn (I) d C Ring/Cona 6-2, 6-4.

Boys lacrosse

Green 11, Stow 6

G: Tepus 3, Ondracek 2, S. Peel 2, Quick, J. Peel, Booth, Conant. S: J. Mannella 3, A. Mannella, Daddario, Householder.

Goalies: G, L. Booth (5 saves); S, Kever (17).

Late result

Westlake 17, Brecksville 6

W: Bechtel 4, Columbro 4, Roff 2, Sandor 2, Greenberg 2, Steigerwald, Humer, Simon. B: Lapierre 2, Getts, Savena, Marous, Platko.

Goalies: W, Freedman (9 saves), VandeVelde (4); B, Robie (7), Szablicki (5).

Girls lacrosse

Hathaway Brown 8, Cleveland Heights 5

HB: Strang 3, Benjamin 2, Heyside, Brockett, Nook. CH: Matia, Lash, Schoonover, Winams, Cellins.

Goalies: HB, Dumas (5 saves); CH, n/a (3).

Jackson 11, Shaker Heights 10

J (7-2): Seanor 5, Litman 3, Sirpilla 2, Puterbaugh. SH (5-3): Ka. Anderson 3, Ke. Anderson 3, Bauer, Bliss, Morrison, Steiber.

Goalies: J, Current (18 saves); SH, Steiber (8).

Boys volleyball

Brunswick d. Stow 25-18, 25-9, 29-31, 25-13

Villa Angela-St. Joseph d. North Royalton 25-6, 25-20, 25-19

Cleveland Browns stay true to goal of pressuring quarterback by choosing edge rusher Barkevious Mingo of LSU.

BEREA, Ohio – The Browns had an opportunity to address arguably their biggest need on defense Thursday night and elected to pass on it.

Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner was sitting in the green room at Radio City Music Hall in New York when the Browns selected No. 6 overall in the NFL Draft. The fast-rising D.J. Hayden, of Houston, also was on the board.

Instead, the Browns stayed true to the new regime's goal of applying pressure on the quarterback, choosing edge rusher Barkevious Mingo of LSU. The club already had added outside linebacker Paul Kruger and disruptive defensive end Desmond Bryant in free agency.

Who is going to play opposite corner Joe Haden when new defensive coordinator Ray Horton starts calling all his blitzes? Perhaps the answer comes Friday night in the third round -- the Browns have no second-round pick -- or on Saturday.

Browns CEO Joe Banner said the decision not to select a corner in the first round is consistent with their organizational philosophy.

"As we've said all along, we are really not going to force filling a need on a short term basis as opposed to building the team we want to have and get really good and sustain it," Banner said late Thursday night at the team's Berea headquarters.

Milliner, the first-team All-American press corner, fell to the New York Jets at No. 9. Despite a medical history complete with five surgeries, Milliner had said he could replace Derrelle Revis if the Jets chose him. The Browns face the Jets on Dec. 22.

The Oakland Raiders, who traded down from No. 3, selected Hayden with the 12th pick, while Desmond Trufant, of Washington, went to Atlanta at No. 22.

The elite corners certainly will be gone by the time the Browns select again at No. 68. It's hard to imagine, however, they don't address the need somewhere in the draft. Neither Buster Skrine nor Trevin Wade showed last season they were ready to replace 34-year-old Sheldon Brown, who departed through free agency.

"Certainly at corner, as well as other positions, we will be looking for somebody we feel can fill the spot and do so for awhile and do so at a championship level," Banner said. "If that situation presents itself that would be great, but if not we are not going to force it.

"We are not going to fill all the needs this year, it's just not going to happen, I'll tell you right now. If there is a guy there we think can be a long-term solution, a quality player, we will pick him. If it's just someone who upgrades us just for this year and then we need to replace again, we won't."

Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said a potent pass rush will take pressure off his secondary, which also might be looking to add a free safety. The top safeties in the draft are expected to be gone by the start of the third round.

Videos and links to stories on Williams, who has the ability to disrupt opposing offenses.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- North Carolina Tar Heels defensive tackle Sylvester Williams goes to the Denver Broncos as the 28th pick in the first round of the 2013 draft.

(Scroll down for story links and videos on Williams)

A draft profile on Williams by NFL.com begins with details of his journey -- which now includes his communications degree -- toward pro football:

Williams thought he was done with football after high school, as he only played one season and wasn't on anyone's radar as a recruit. In fact, he nearly dropped out of high school because he wasn't going to class. But after working at a factory (Modine Manufacturing Company, whose products include vehicle radiators) for a while post-graduation and seeing similarly sized players on the field at a Kansas Jayhawks game, Williams realized that he could go to college using his natural size and ability on the football field.

He walked on at Coffeyville Community College, and by the time he finished his second season (honorable mention JC All-American with 12.5 tackles for loss and five blocked kicks), several major college programs were hot on his trail.

Links to stories on Sylvester Williams:

On the verge of being picked in the first round or two of the NFL draft, Sylvester Williams says, "A few years ago, I never saw myself in this position. So being able to be here today, a few weeks ago at the combine and the Senior Bowl, and even here at Carolina the last two seasons, was a blessing." (By Andrew Carter, NewsObserver.com, April 24, 2013)

There were some detours along the way, but Sylvester Williams has earned a degree in communications at North Carolina and is about to be an NFL player. (By Megan Walsh, NewsTribune.com, April 11, 2013)

The challenges faced over the years by Sylvester Williams, whose college career has taken off and NFL prospects have brightened. (By Ryan Fagan, Sporting News, Sept. 10, 2012)

Sylvester Williams and the current NFL player he is similar to. (ESPN.com)

Sylvester Williams and his North Carolina Pro Day workout. (By Aaron Dodson, Daily Tar Heel, April 1, 2013)

Sylvester Williams is an under-rated prospect despite having elite talent, and could be a top 15 draft pick. (By Russ Lande, National Football Post, April 11, 2013)

A scouting report on defensive tackle Sylvester Williams. (By Rob Rang, CBSSports.com)

Video: The strengths and weaknesses of defensive tackle Sylvester Williams, with analysis by ESPN SCOUTS INC. and NFL.com:

Video: An ACCDigitalNetwork draft profile of Sylvester Williams, with analysis by former Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner:

Video: The focus is on North Carolina defensive tackle Sylvester Williams (92) during the Tar Heels' 37-13 win at Virginia last Nov. 15:

Reflect on the news and commentary that developed as the Browns added a highly-rated pass rusher to their defense on Thursday. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Well, it might not have been sexy, but it was interesting.

After weeks of misdirection, obfuscation and just plain fibbing, the NFL Draft conducted its first round Thursday night. The Browns, drafting sixth, took Louisiana State defensive end/linebacker Barkevious Mingo, clearly reinforcing their plans to create a blitzing front seven that will presumably put serious pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Rounds 2 and 3 take place Friday evening and the final four rounds begin at noon on Saturday. We'll continue to be with you every step of the way, getting reaction from our Plain Dealer writers, columnists and photographers as well as Cleveland.com personalities.

We'll also keep tabs on what is being said around the league, giving you as much information and insight into tonight's decisions as possible. Just keep refreshing your browser for the latest news.

As always, we invite you to take part in our comments section below. Just remember the rules of the road when the Browns are involved.

Thanks for a rousing conversation in the comments and we'll see you at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.

11:50 p.m.: News from Suzy Kolber on ESPN -- a disappointed Geno Smith isn't going to deal with waiting any more in the public eye. He left Radio City Music Hall and is headed back to West Virginia.

Smith and Manti Te'o aren't the only highly-rated players still waiting for the phone call. According to NFL.com, prospects who should go early in the second round include Florida International safety John Cyprien, Kansas State linebacker Arthur Brown, Kentucky guard Larry Warford and Mississippi State defensive end Damontre Moore.

Other players with "starter" grades on the website without a home yet are California receiver Keenan Allen, Boise St. cornerback Jamar Taylor, Alabama defensive tackle Jesse Williams, Florida State defensive end Cornelius Carradine, Texas DE Alex Okafor and FSU tackle Menelik Watson.

Geno Smith has gone home for the night. Matt Barkley made the right choice to stay home.

— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) April 26, 2013

RT @jamienewberg The SEC had 12 1st-round picks. ACC had 6, Pac-12 had 5, Big 12 had 3, & Big 10 had 1.

— Bruce Feldman (@BFeldmanCBS) April 26, 2013

11:45 p.m.: The Ravens complete the opening round by finding the replacement for Ed Reed with Florida safety Matt Elam, who is the brother of former Browns defensive back Abe Elam.

Elam is a rarity among draft picks, as he has yet to acquire an agent.

11:42 p.m.: As we wait on Baltimore to close out the first round, a quick observation after spending the evening checking out the local sports talkers bouncing back and forth about the Browns' selection of Mingo.

Hey guys, the Browns had one pick tonight. One. Stop praising the addition of a pass rusher while simultaneously complaining that they didn't add a cornerback. Shy of being able to split into two players, it seems unlikely that it's really a fair criticism.

11:40 p.m.: Dallas gets offensive line help for Tony Romo, taking Wisconsin guard Travis Frederick.

11:31 p.m.: The Rams, using the No. 30 pick acquired when the Falcons moved up, pick up Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree, who has more than a few issues, including a DUI during the pre-draft period and several run-ins on the campus in Athens.

Meanwhile, ESPN has video of Geno Smith walking quickly (storming?) out of the green room, as Chris Berman speculates he's heading back to the hotel. With Dallas and Baltimore left to draft, the realization of his second-round status has to be stunning.

Patterson and Ogletree were dropping on a lot of boards but teams willing to take a risk at value spot given their elite talent. Makes sense

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 26, 2013

Who got dissed harder - Nassib by his old coach in Buffalo ... or T'eo by Minny, which wined him and dined him but passed 3x?

— Jason McIntyre (@TheBigLead) April 26, 2013

11:23 p.m.: The Te'o story has briefly replaced the Geno Smith Tumble, but there was hope that he would now find a home when the Vikings traded back into the round. No such luck. The Vikings add offensive help for Christian Ponder with Tennessee WR Cordarrelle Patterson.

Patriots get No. 52, No. 83, No. 102 and No. 229 in exchange for No. 29.

11:13 p.m.: With the Broncos on the clock, word leaks that the Patriots -- as is Bill Belichick's wont -- have dealt down from the 29th spot and the Vikings have moved up. That could well be Te'o.

The Broncos, needing some defensive line help after the loss of Elvis Dumervil, pick up North Carolina DT Sylvester Williams.

11:09 p.m.: The Houston Texans, with former Buckeye DeVier Posey sidelined with a torn Achilles, could have found a replacement with Clemson's DeAndre Hopkins.

Before tonight, Hopkins' biggest splash leading up the draft was the admission that he was one of two players who trashed a hotel room in Indianapolis during the combine. But here's a case where a "character flaw" doesn't haunt the player.

Meanwhile, the Browns' Joe Haden doesn't seem too bummed to not have a new partner on the corner -- at least not yet.

R front 7 is crazy deep!!! Get 2 the Qb!! I respect it! 💯

— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) April 26, 2013

10:58 p.m.: With the Packers on the clock, a quick look back at the draft so far reveals that all but one player was graded on the NFL.com site as at least an immediate starter for their new team. The exception? Buffalo QB E.J. Manuel.

The Packers, with clear needs on defense, grab UCLA defensive end Datone Jones.

10:54 p.m.: No love for Te'o yet, with Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes going to the Vikings with their second pick of the round.

10:49 p.m.: The Colts, needing help on the defensive line, take Florida State's Bjoern Werner at 24.

That brings the Vikings back on the clock at 25 ... and renews the Te'o watch. Meanwhile, there just don't seem to be any likely takers at the bottom of the round for Geno Smith unless someone trades back up.

Hang in there Geno, "good things come to those who wait" -Paul Tagliabue

— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) April 26, 2013

The longer Geno Smith waits, the better it'll be for him longterm. It'll drive him the rest of his career.

— Bruce Feldman (@BFeldmanCBS) April 26, 2013

10:45 p.m.: Sharrif Floyd's fall ends at No. 23, as he's taken by the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikes were the second team thought to have an interest in Manti Te'o but went in another direction.

"I have more than a chip on my shoulder. I have a whole bag of Lays." - Floyd.

10:42 p.m.: Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke gives the Browns a B+ grade for taking Mingo.

The Cleveland Browns’ move from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense left them badly in need of another dynamic pass rusher or two. Consider them a step closer to where they want to be after their Round 1 selection of LSU DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo.

Like Ziggy Ansah, who went just above him, Mingo is a bit of a work in progress — his production last season was disappointing (4.5 sacks), but he’s now headed into a defense that should fit his abilities better than the LSU one did. Combine him with new addition Paul Kruger and incumbent Jabaal Sheard at OLB in the Browns’ defense, and suddenly, that’s a pretty ferocious pass rush.

CBS Sports' Pete Prisco isn't as bullish, giving the Browns a C-.

Mingo has raw ability, but I just didn't see enough from him last season. I wanted more. And do the Browns have a need there?

10:38 p.m.: The picks coming quickly now. The Falcons deal with St. Louis for the 22nd pick and grab Washington cornerback Desmond Trufant.

The Rams pick up a late third-round pick (92nd) and a sixth rounder, while the Falcons move up and get a seventh rounder in 2015.

10:34 p.m.: Cincinnati is one of the few teams boosting its offense in the first round, grabbing Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert.

10:28 p.m.: Chicago was considered the first stop available for Manti Te'o, but the Notre Dame linebacker is bypassed for the son of Oakland Raiders Hall of Famer Howie Long, Oregon guard Kyle Long.

Kyle Long is the 8th offensive lineman taken in the draft. That's the most OL picked in top 20 in NFL draft history.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 26, 2013

Long is quite the reclamation story, overcoming a substance-abuse addiction.

10:21 p.m.: The Giants, with the 19th pick, take Syracuse guard Justin Pugh. The race is now officially on between Geno Smith and Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd for the tumbler of the night. While Smith attracted plenty of criticism during the last month, but Floyd was highly considered by pretty much every "reputable" mocker.

10:15 p.m.: San Francisco trades up to the 18th spot with Dallas. The Cowboys get an extra third-round pick, while the 49ers get LSU safety Eric Reid.

S Eric Reid to the 49ers. Bold move. Lost a top safety in free agency, loved this guy and obviously figured he was gonna go soon

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 26, 2013

10:10 p.m.: With the worst-kept secret of the draft, the Steelers grab Georgia sack master Jarvis Jones -- his spinal stenosis irregardless. This is a case of letting the game tape speak ... his 28 sacks in two seasons dwarfs the pass rushers taken ahead of him.

Jarvis jones in Pitt? James Harrison is now a distant memory

— Jason Cole (@JasonColeYahoo) April 26, 2013

10:04 p.m.: Geno Smith's night just got exponentially worse, as the first QB off the board is ... E.J. Manuel of Florida State to Buffalo.

Outside of E.J. Manuel's immediate family, I'm probably the only person who LOVES this pick.

— SC_DougFarrar (@SC_DougFarrar) April 26, 2013

9:58 p.m.: The New Orleans Saints, with one of the weakest defenses -- bounties or otherwise -- in the league, take Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro.

9:52 p.m.: Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei goes 14th to Carolina.

Meanwhile, asked if there was a chance if the Browns might deal back into the first round, Banner generated some laughter with his response.

"We're going to sleep."

Joe Banner: We're not going to force filling a need on a short term bases. We're not going to fill all of the needs on the team this year.

— Branson Wright (@BransonWright) April 26, 2013

9:48 p.m.: Some reports had the Jets taking Geno Smith, but they go defense again, taking powerful defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson from Missouri.

9:44 p.m.: Joe Banner tells reporters that Mingo was the player they wanted. "We just feel that building with character and speed and quickness that this was the player we wanted."

Rob Chudzinski praised the conversation the team had with Mingo, and was a "unanimous type of person" when it came to recommendations by the scouting department. He added that the coaching staff has been impressed with the work of Jabaal Sheard in his new role as outside linebacker/pass rusher.

Banner said the team would have likely traded down if Mingo was not available, but would not elaborate beyond that.

Can't be happier to join the @browns! Tell me what it means to rock the #DAWGpound colors! #AboutOurColors @tide #Spon

— Barkevious Mingo (@keke_mingo) April 26, 2013

9:38 p.m.: Geno Smith's slide is continuing, as an early report that he was going to Oakland proves erroneous. The Raiders take cornerback D.J. Hayden -- leaving the front-runner for the QB job former OSU star Terrelle Pryor.

Hayden was quickly referred to as a medical miracle by Suzy Kolber, and with good reason. He nearly died after a practice collision when a major artery to the heart tore.

9:31 p.m.: While Mingo spoke to the media, another SEC star -- Alabama guard Chance Warmack -- was selection 10th by Tennessee, followed by San Diego's choice of the Crimson Tide's mountainous offensive tackle D.J. Fluker.

View full sizeBarkevious Mingo was rocking some brown and orange at the NFL Draft Thursday night, but said it was just a coincidence.MCT photo 

9:27 p.m.: In a conference call with Cleveland media, Barkevious Mingo said he talked with defensive coordinator Ray Horton in his visit with the team. "They need pass rushers. They needed someone to get to the quarterback and help the defense."

Mingo said adding some weight isn't a concern. He said his draft ensemble (in brown and orange) wasn't advance knowledge, but a choice by those who picked out his clothing.

"I'm very excited. I'm a National Football League player and playing for a (city) that loves football."

#Browns Mingo said "I think I'm the best-rusher'' in the draft. Hopes to show it first game.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 26, 2013

More on Mingo from Mary Kay Cabot.

A quick analysis of the pick by Yahoo! and National Football Post: "While some considered the Browns to be in the market for a cornerback, the move to select Mingo is the right one for their defense. He has the mobility to pressure the quarterback and immediately improves their newly installed 3-4 defense."

9:16 p.m.: Likely frustrated by the Rams' move to grab Tavon Austin, the Jets address defense with Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner.

Pro Football Talk is feeling more sympathy than enthusiasm for the Jets' selection. "Potential disaster for the Jets and Dee Milliner. He'll never get out of the Revis shadow."

Jets get Milliner, who has had 5 surgeries, compared to Revis' 1. Sorry jets fans, couldn't resist.

— Jason Cole (@JasonColeYahoo) April 26, 2013

9:09 p.m.: The Rams didn't make a deal with the Browns, but they found a partner with Buffalo, moving up to the No. 8 spot to take West Virginia's mercurial slotback Tavon Austin.

The Bills, at 16, in good shape to take QB Ryan Nassib (or another QB too I suppose).

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 26, 2013

Bills receive No. 16, No. 46, No. 78 and No. 222. Rams receive Austin, No. 71.

Classic Jets. Miss Tavon Austin by one pick.

— Dan Hanzus (@DanHanzus) April 26, 2013

9:03 p.m.: The Arizona Cardinals take offensive guard Jonathan Cooper from North Carolina.

8:55 p.m.: The Browns take Barkevious Mingo to beef up the rush linebacker position.

From STATS inc.: "He started 10 of 13 games as a junior, earning second-team All-SEC honors and finishing with 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Those numbers were down after he had 8.0 sacks and 15.0 tackles for loss as a sophomore in mostly a reserve role. Known by his nickname KeKe (pronounced Key-Key), Mingo solidified his draft status at the combine. Among defensive linemen, his 4.58 40-yard dash time ranked second and his 37-inch vertical leap tied for second. Mingo turned in a broad jump of 128 inches and showcased his agility with a time of 6.84 seconds in the 3-cone drill, cementing his status as a freakish athlete."

#Browns Barkevious Mingo re-iterated that he had a great visit to Cle and got a great vibe from #Browns when he was here. Met w/ Horton, etc

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 26, 2013

.@keke_mingo Congrats Buddy! Glad to have you on board! #GoBrowns

— Brandon Weeden (@bweeden3) April 26, 2013

Mingo will be a 3rd down pass rush specialist to start but will grow into a complete player in the mold of Aldon Smith.

— Brian Billick (@CoachBillick) April 26, 2013

Barkevious will fit right in with the Dawg Pound. #nfldraft#veryobviouspun

— Bill Livingston (@Livy70) April 26, 2013

8:50 p.m.: Detroit, with defensive needs across the board, selects Brigham Young's Ziggy Ansah.

Mingo or Milliner? Milliner or Mingo?

Would be pretty surprised if Dee Milliner does not go to Cleveland here

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 26, 2013

8:48 p.m.: With Ziggy Ansah, Dee Milliner and Barkevious Mingo still on the board, there seems little reason for the Browns to trade down.

Really interested to see what Browns do.

— Clark Judge (@ClarkJudgeCBS) April 26, 2013

8:42 p.m.: The Eagles needed offensive line help, which gives them the chance to draft Oklahoma's Lane Johnson to become the new left tackle.

8:34 p.m.: The Oakland Raiders, considered to be the great unknown at the top of the draft (and Al Davis), traded down with Miami, who took the favorite of Browns fans, Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan.

Jon Gruden is "shocked." The Raiders will get the No. 12 pick and the 10th pick in the second round, the 42nd overall.

Gruden makes it sound like a good thing #browns didn't get dion Jordan...better hope he's right... #nfldraft

— Bud Shaw (@budshaw) April 26, 2013

8:30 p.m.: There's been talk that the Rams -- who want Tavon Austin and are at 16 -- might be interested in dealing with the Browns. But not everyone is buying that as a good matchup of interests.

Chatter about Rams moving up for Austin, who they love. But I hear it's more other teams calling them, Don't think CLE drops back that far

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 26, 2013

8:25 p.m.: Jacksonville takes Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel.

That figures to cut into the Browns' trade opportunities, and the possibility of Dion Jordan to the Browns is growing significantly, assuming he doesn't go to Philadelphia.

The deciding factor between Fisher and Joeckel likely came down to athleticism. Fisher had superior numbers at the combine an tested better

— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) April 26, 2013

Both tackles taken 1 and 2 are mainstays for the next 10 years solid choices for #chiefs and #jags

— Chris Spielman (@chris_spielman) April 26, 2013

8:16 p.m.: Kansas City takes, as expected, Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher. They used most of their 10 minutes, presumably to make sure no stunning trade offers materialize.

Before the pick, Jon Gruden points out that the Chiefs had six players in the last Pro Bowl, then added "I'm not sure about the Pro Bowl."

Top pick in Draft will make similar $$ as Newton and Luck: about $22M for 4 years, fully guaranteed. Bradford got $50M in 2010.

— Andrew Brandt (@adbrandt) April 26, 2013

I still believe the #Browns would love to land Oregon pass-rusher Dion Jordan at No. 6.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 26, 2013

This is it Browns fans. One more year of building and losing, then take Johnny Football or Teddy Bridgewater a year from now and go.

— Doug Lesmerises (@PDBuckeyes) April 26, 2013

8:05 p.m.: Roger Goodell opens the draft with words of tribute to the first responders in Boston and West Texas, earning loud applause from the fans, and some "U-S-A" chants.

8 p.m.: From Mary Kay Cabot, perhaps reflecting momentum that has been building throughout the afternoon.

#Browns aren't expected to take West Virginia QB Geno Smith.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 25, 2013

CBS Sports' Jason LaConfora decided to really work hard in the last hour, and pounded out one last mock draft ... giving the Browns Oregon's Dion Jordan with the sixth pick.

7:54 p.m.: From ESPN's Adam Schefter ...

Every first round has a surprise or two. Tonight's just might be CB D.J. Hayden, who continues to be linked to Oakland Raiders.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2013

7:53 p.m.: Yes, the rumors and Twitter have quieted ... everyone is finally waiting for the Chiefs and the real news of the day to occur.

7:44 p.m.: It's easy to consider the players tonight as simple commodities, but Yahoo! has a pretty sweet little video story on Ziggy Ansah, who is having quite a day.

From the Deseret News in Salt Lake City: "Ansah would love to be an ambassador for the NFL someday, promoting football in his homeland of Ghana, where, for now, there is little interest in the sport."

"'That's what I want to do,' Ansah said. 'It's something I want to try to do after I'm done playing — take it back to Africa and help the little kids with it.'"

For an athlete who has a life story certainly unlike anyone who will be cheering him this fall, it's pretty impressive. Congrats to him.

7:39 p.m.: The NFL is currently running all of the prospects who are present at Radio City Music Hall out on the stage for a group picture. No truth to the rumor that fans in attendance are being asked who will be stuck in the green room until midnight.

7:35 p.m.: This Tweet on Mike Mayock's favorite cornerback sparked a flurry of interest from Browns fans.

Jay Glazer, who broke Eric Fisher-going-1st, just said on Fox Sports radio that DJ Hayden of Houston will be the first CB off the board

— Jason McIntyre (@TheBigLead) April 25, 2013

In the WFNY's mock draft spreadsheet, the soonest that anyone speculated on Hayden's selection was at No. 11.

7:21 p.m.: A tip of the hat to Wait For Next Year's Jacob Rosen, who culled all the various "serious" mocks around the blogosphere, and did a consensus draft this week that -- at the very least -- delivers a pretty sane scenario for all the teams.

Then again, who ever said the NFL Draft was a sane experience?

Saw woman kissing her 4-foot long iguana at vet appt. today...fully expect raiders to do something more bizarre than that in #nfldraft

— Bud Shaw (@budshaw) April 25, 2013

7:15 p.m.: Just a thought after a long day of listening to local sports talk ... some guys really, truly seem to have a QB fetish. Just saying.

7:11 p.m.: It takes a fair amount of nerve, but a few draftniks around the country were willing to project a seven-round mock draft (yes, we know ... emphasis on mock). For those of us interested in names beyond the first round, it offers some grist for the fans' mill.

Here's a few.

Chris Fedor, Cleveland.com: 1. CB Dee Milliner, Alabama. 3. DE/OLB Quanterus Smith, Western Kentucky. 4. QB Tyler Bray, Tennessee. 5. WR Josh Boyce, TCU; S Josh Evans, Florida. 6. CB Nickell Robey, USC. 7. OLB Walter Stewart, Cincinnati.

Sporting News: 1. CB Dee Milliner, Alabama. 3. QB Tyler Bray, Tennessee. 4. WR Trey Boyce, TCU. 5. TE Chris Cragg, Arkansas; S J.J. Wilcox, Georgia Southern. 6. ILB Christian Robinson, Georgia. 7. RB Chris Thompson, Florida State.

Charlie Campbell (Walterfootball.com): 1. Trade down or CB Dee Milliner, Alabama. 3. TE Nick Kasa, Colorado. 4. WR Kenny Stills, Oklahoma. 5. OG Brian Winters, Kent State; RB Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State; 6. DT Josh Boyd, Mississippi State; 7. CB Trey Wilson, Vanderbilt.

Drafttek.com: 1. DE Barkevious Mingo. 3. CB Logan Ryan, Rutgers. 4. TE Vance McDonald, Rice. 5. SS Duke Williams, Nevada; DE William Campbell, Michigan. 6. K Caleb Sturgis, Florida. 7. FB Tommy Bohanon, Wake Forest.

Josh Norris, NFL.com: 1. CB Dee Milliner. 3. LB Sio Moore, Connecticut. 4. QB Tyler Bray, Tennessee. 5. WR Denard Robinson, Michigan; Joseph Randle, RB, Oklahoma State. 6. S T.J. McDonald, USC. 7. DT. T.J. Barnes, Georgia Tech.

Behind the Steel Curtain, SB Nation: 1. (trade down) DE Barkevious Mingo, LSU. 2. OG Larry Warmack, Kentucky. 3. QB Matt Barkley, USC. 4. CB Logan Ryan, Rutgers. 5. WR Kenny Stills, Oklahoma; ILB A.J. Klein, Iowa State. 6. DE/OLB Walter Stewart, Cincinnati. 7. SS Don Jones, Arkansas State.

7 p.m.: So far, the expectation is that Central Michigan tackle Eric Fisher will be the first player off the board to Kansas City, beating out Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel for the honor.

If true, that puts Jacksonville at No. 2 in the driver's seat in potentially spoiling the Browns' trade-down plans. The Jaguars weren't believed to be that high on Fisher, but supposedly are more than willing to take Joeckel at No. 2. Since most pre-draft Browns trade scenarios require Oklahoma's Lane Johnson to be available when the Browns go on the clock, that requires Oakland, Philadelphia and Detroit to go in other directions. Both the Eagles and Lions could well want a potential left tackle.

But hey, it's just the latest bunch of rumors.

Latest on the Browns ... the Ryan Mallett rumors have quieted and Wednesday's hot report that they might want to move up has been quashed.

#browns CEO banner told 92.3 fan they're not talking about trading any of their current players.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 25, 2013

The NFL Network continues to suggest an interest in Geno Smith (Mayock) or E.J. Manuel (Wilcots), but pretty much everyone else has backed off.

Brandon Weeden threw 14 TDs, 17 INTs, 3385 yds. Ryan Tannehill threw 12 TDs, 13 INTs. Yet Browns appear in QB market, Dolphins not.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2013

Meanwhile, with 60 minutes remaining before Roger Goodell accepts the obligatory boos in New York, let's take a quick look at how the NFL's own website analyzes the top of the talent pool.

First of all, the league's ratings are based on a scale of 20 to 100, broken down this way.

96-100 / Future Hall of Famer: A once-in-a-generation type prospect who could change how his position is played.

85-95 / Immediate Starter: An impact player with the ability/intangibles to become a Pro Bowl player. Expect to start immediately except in a unique situation (i.e. behind a veteran starter).

70-84 / Eventual Starter: A quality player who will contribute to the team early on and is expected to develop into a starter. A reliable player who brings value to the position.

50-69 / Draftable Player: A prospect with the ability to make team as a backup/role player. Needs to be a special teams contributor at applicable positions. Players in the high range of this category might have long-term potential.

20-49 / Free Agent: A player with solid measurables, intangibles, college achievements, or a developing skill that warrants an opportunity in an NFL camp. In the right situation, he could earn a place on a 53-man roster, but most likely will be a practice squad player or a camp body.

And here we have our first grain of salt warning of the night. Last year, a player graded in the mid-40s -- a fill-out the roster kind of guy, according to the NFL's own rating -- was Washington Redskins rookie running back Alfred Morris. Don't think Mike Shanahan is regretting that sixth-round selection.

So yes, even the league's own ratings aren't exactly gospel. Keep that in mind when you're dumbfounded by a selection that doesn't match the draft guide in your hand or talk radio's expectations.

Here are the 29 players listed by the NFL Thursday afternoon as at least immediate starters for their new teams.

Offensive line: OG Chance Warmack, Alabama, 93.9; OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M, 95.3; OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan, 94.0; OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma, 92.9; OG Larry Warford, Kentucky, 88.3; OG Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina, 86.9; OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama, 85.5; OT Menelik Watson, Florida St., 85.0

Defensive line: DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida, 94.2; DE Dion Jordan, Oregon, 93.5; DE Barkevious Mingo, LSU, 92.8; DT Star Lotulelei, Utah, 92.0; DE Ziggy Ansah, BYU, 91.3; DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri, 90.7; DE Bjoern Werner, Florida St., 88.2; DE Damontre Moore, Texas A&M, 87.9; DE Datone Jones, UCLA, 85.6; DT Jesse Williams, Alabama, 85.5; DE Cornellius Carradine, Florida St., 85.4; DE Alex Okafor, Texas, 85.2

Hey #Browns fans, #LSU pass rusher Barkevious Mingo is wearing a brown tie and orange pocket square...just saying...

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) April 25, 2013

Cornerback: Dee Milliner, Alabama, 93.2; Xavier Rhodes, Florida St., 86.2; CB Jamar Taylor, Boise St., 85.5

Receiver/tight end: WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia, 91.4; WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee, 90.6; WR DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson, 87.8; WR Keenan Allen, California, 86.3

Safety: FS John Cyprien, Florida International, 90.6; SS Kenny Vaccaro, Texas, 87.7

Linebacker: ILB Arthur Brown, Kansas St., 90.3; OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia, 88.8; ILB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 87.5

Quarterback: Geno Smith, West Virginia, 88.0

A word to the wise by a savvy ESPN sports business reporter.

Best decision-makers "trust the Board" and resist reacting to emotion and impulse. Nothing deflates a scouting staff more.

— Andrew Brandt (@adbrandt) April 25, 2013

The Plain Dealer's Tom Reed talks with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore about Barkevious Mingo being selected by the Browns and Geno Smith falling in the draft.

The Plain Dealer's Tom Reed talks with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore and recaps the first day of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Highlights from a conference call with Barkevious Mingo after the Cleveland Browns selected the defensive end in the first round of the NFL Draft.

BEREA, Ohio -- Barkevious Mingo, a defensive end from LSU, talks via a conference call with the media gathered at their headquarters in Berea about being selected by the Cleveland Browns with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Follow on Twitter: @CLEvideos

Tyler Naquin has a home run and a double as the Carolina Mudcats beat Potomac, 4-1.

View full sizeTyler Naquin, the Cleveland Indians' first-round pick in 2012, is playing this season at Class A Carolina.Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer 

Class AAA: Columbus 4, Scranton-
Wilkes-Barre 1 David Huff (1-1) picked up the win with two innings of scoreless relief, and the host Clippers defeated the RailRiders. Preston Guilmet retired one hitter to record his seventh save.

Class AA: The Akron Aeros were off Thursday.

Class A Advanced: Carolina 4, Potomac 1

Leadoff hitter Tyler Naquin slugged a solo homer and doubled, Will Roberts (1-3) pitched seven innings and the host Mudcats defeated the Nationals. Roberts gave up one run on four hits. Jeff Johnson pitched a scoreless ninth for his fourth save.

Class A: Clinton 3, Lake County 2 The Captains' Josh Martin (1-2) surrendered a solo home run in eighth inning and the visiting Lumberkings won at Classic Park in Eastlake. The Captains scored their only runs in the first inning. Clinton owns a 7-3 lead in the all-time series against the Captains.

The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot talks with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore about the first day of the NFL Draft and the Browns selecting Barkevious Mingo at No. 6.

The first day of the 2013 NFL Draft is complete.

Chudzinski compliments Sheard for how he adapted to 3-4 defense in minicamp. Plus, more Browns notes from NFL Draft 2013.

BEREA, Ohio - Jabaal Sheard is making quite a sacrifice, switching from left defensive end to right outside linebacker.

It's sounds as though he will continue that transition with the Browns.

Coach Rob Chudzinski said he has plans for Sheard despite the franchise's decision to select edge rusher Barkevious Mingo with the No. 6 overall pick on Thursday night. Some have speculated the club might move Sheard if the Browns chose another edge rusher after signing Paul Kruger in free agency.

"Jabaal, I've been really impressed with him during the minicamp [last week] and his ability and how quickly he's demonstrated that he can make the adjustment to a 3-4," Chudzinski said. "Adding [Mingo] in the mix gives us another pass rusher and a solid rotation. That group we plan on rotating anyhow between Paul, Jabaal, [Mingo] and also with Quentin [Groves]. You can't have enough pass rushers, and keeping those guys fresh is a key."

Sheard, who recorded a club-best 15.5 sacks during the past two seasons, was asked last week about the possibilities of the team picking another edge rusher in the first round.

"I'm just going to keep working and do my job and see how it works out," he said.

Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton said he plans to use a multifront defense which could give Sheard a chance to sometimes play end in a 4-3 scheme.

Sheard has focused on the footwork required for his new position, especially dropping into pass coverage. He trained at a Miami-based facility run by Cleveland native and former NFL receiver Chris Chambers.

Haslam greets fans: Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, whose Pilot Flying J company is the target of a federal probe, addressed a group of season-ticket holders in the training facility's fieldhouse on Thursday night before joining the football brain trust in the war room.

Haslam didn't mention the FBI investigation and took no questions. He also didn't speak to the media.

"The pace, intensity, tempo, no comparison to last year," Haslam told the group. "The energy level at practice is quite different. Players are real excited, giving me thumbs up."

An NFL spokesman said last week that the league wouldn't ask Haslam to cede control of the team during the investigation. He met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday. Through a spokesperson, Haslam said it was a "good" meeting.

Tackles dominate: In the first four picks of the draft, three were offensive tackles, including the No. 1 selection, Central Michigan's Eric Fisher.

When Oregon's Kyle Long was picked by Chicago at No. 20, he was the eighth offensive lineman taken in the draft-- the most in the top 20 in NFL history, according to ESPN.

Party guests: Former Browns defensive tackle Michael Dean Perry and wide receiver Webster Slaughter participated in a watch party in Berea. . . . The Browns said 2,007 people attended their draft party at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The last time: The Browns last drafted a linebacker with their first pick in 2006, grabbing Kamerion Wimbley from Florida State. They have drafted nine linebackers in the first round in their history. . . . The last time the Browns drafted a player out of LSU was defensive lineman Chase Pittman in the seventh round in 2007. They have drafted eight players from LSU in club history.

The Browns set out to get a pass-rusher in this draft and they landed LSU defensive end/linebacker Barkevious Mingo with the No. 6 overall pick.

BEREA, Ohio - Browns new pass-rusher Barkevious Mingo strolled to the stage at Radio City Music Hall after his name was called Thursday night wearing a brown striped tie and an orange pocket square.

Unbeknownst to him, he was already dressed for success as the newest member of the Cleveland Browns when he slipped on his duds for the big evening.

"I didn't know going in (the Browns were going to select him)," Mingo said on a conference call after the Browns selected him No. 6 overall. "They were my stylist's favorites colors. We went with it, and I thought it looked really good. It was a real big coincidence."

The Browns are also convinced Mingo (6-4, 241) will look great in a Browns uniform, which is why they passed over other players such as Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner and West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith to select him. It took them only moments to hand in the card.

"The things that stood out to us were the kind of person he is, his outstanding character, and he came highly recommended from the people down there we talked to," said Browns coach Rob Chudzinski. "He's an extremely impressive young man, someone we strongly wanted to put in our locker room.

"His athleticism speaks for itself. He's a gifted athlete, he's explosive, he's got great speed off the edge, he's a developing player, he was battle-tested in the SEC, he's got plenty of room for growth and we see him as an outstanding pass rusher."

Browns CEO Joe Banner, who has been banging the drum for pass rushers since he hung his shingle in Berea, said: "He's a very high-character young man, he's hard-working and we talked about bringing in aggressive players to play an aggressive scheme. This is the outcome we were hoping for. You can tell the type of person he is. We feel very good about this."

Banner said he had a trade in place if Mingo -- nicknamed Keke -- was gone by No. 6, but declined to get into specifics.  He added that the Browns had several opportunities regardless of who was left on the board.

"We just felt too strong about the fit of character and his strengths and the personality we're trying to develop, so we went ahead and made the pick,'' he said.

Banner stressed that an attacking philosophy has been the emphasis since day one.

"It started with our coaching search and it's part of the reason Chud got the job," he said. "You can see in the moves we made, from hiring Ray Horton to signing Paul Kruger, playing an aggressive defense, making life uncomfortable for quarterback, (Mingo) fit the plan."

Mingo, the third-pass rusher to be selected behind Dion Jordan and Ziggy Ansah, had 15 sacks over the past three seasons, including 4.5 last year and 8.0 in 2011.

"I'm high-energy, I have a quick first step, burst to the ball, that's what they liked about me, and that's what they wanted to add to the team," he said.

Chudzinski said the drafting of Mingo, a defensive end in college, adds to the pile and doesn't mean Jabaal Sheard is the odd man out. "Keke's another pass rusher in rotation, rotating Paul, Jabaal, Keke and Quentin (Groves). You can't have enough pass-rushers," he said.

But Mingo fully expects to be in the starting lineup on opening day, opposite Kruger.

"My goal is to be starting Week 1 and help us win games," he said. "That's what they're bringing me in here for and that's what I'm committed to doing."

Mingo, who didn't play much linebacker at LSU or drop back in coverage much, will play outside linebacker in the Browns' 3-4 base defense and move up to end in the sub-defenses.

"Our coaches spent a lot of time with him when he was here (for a predraft visit)," said Chudzinski. "They quizzed him up to see how he might adapt. Keke's done some dropping, seeing him move around in some workouts, we feel very comfortable he's be able to do that."

Mingo has been criticized for his marked dropoff in production last season, from eight sacks in 2011 to 4.5; and from 15 tackles for a loss to 8.5. But he explained the reasons.

"Offensive coordinators don't want their quarterbacks to be hit, so they'll chip the defensive end," he said. "We played mobile quarterbacks, and our defensive coordinator didn't want us to get upfield and lose contain on those guys, let them make big runs. That was kind of our scheme. We would contain more than rush some games."

Mingo's LSU defensive line coach Brick Haley takes exception to the criticism.

"I can promise you this: He's a very explosive edge-rusher," said Haley. "He's probably going to be one of the best in the league. I think he's going to be a very good pro. It was (often) 2-on-1, and I don't know too many guys that win time and time again when it's 2-on-1. I look at it as respect."

He said Mingo can be a double-digit sack guy in the NFL.

"I think it's very possible,'' he said. "He's going to have to play some significant minutes, but it's very possible because that's his mindset, which is to come in right now and be the best rookie in the league.''

Haley said what set Mingo apart is "his quickness, his cat-like reflexes -- I mean, he's a different animal. You don't find guys that can play the five-technique and pound in there with a big 350-pound tackle, and then he can run outside with one of the fastest running backs you've got. He never ceases to amaze me, because I always know he's got a little more. He's got a different gear."

And now he's ready to prove it in his snappy and orange and brown.

"I think I'll be as good as I want to be, and I want to be great," he said. "I want to be one of those guys that gets their name in Canton, Ohio, and be a dominant player."

***************************************

A scouting report on Mingo by NFL.com includes:

Mingo looks almost too lean to handle the physicality of NFL linemen, but has surprising strength to go along with the elite length and straight-line speed to rack up double-digit sack numbers (he had eight in 2011) and track down ball carriers (15 tackles for loss) as a 3-4 rush linebacker at the next level. He is a proverbial boom or bust prospect. Mingo's production dropped as a junior, and he failed to show much overall growth in his game over the course of his career. However, KeKe flashed the talent and projectable skills to be a dominant NFL pass rusher, and a position switch will likely serve him well, as the LSU Tiger was too often asked to play in a tight alignment on the strong side in college –-- a poor use of his strengths.

- Plain Dealer reporter Mike Peticca compiled the excerpts, links and videos in this report.

Leon McFadden's father played nine years of professional baseball, but Leon McFadden Jr., the Cleveland Browns' third-round draft pick, was drawn in a different direction.

BEREA, Ohio -- When he was a child, Leon McFadden had a choice. He could play baseball, the sport his father, Leon Sr., loved, the game his dad played professionally for nine years as a pitcher, shortstop and outfielder, the game his dad has adored and embraced for all his life.

Or, he could play football.

The younger McFadden is happy with his choice, particularly after the Browns made the San Diego State cornerback their third-round selection (No. 68 overall) on Friday evening.

It happened to be Leon Sr.'s 69th birthday, and his son found a way to deliver quite a present.

"He wanted me to live the dream I wanted to, the sport I loved to play," McFadden said in a conference call shortly after he was drafted. "And football was the sport I loved to play."

McFadden found his love for football while growing up in Bellflower, Calif., playing the position he was drawn to and excelled at with his small-but-quick stature -- receiver.

When McFadden began school at San Diego State, however, then-coach Brady Hoke suggested a three-day tryout at cornerback. It stuck.

"At first I was kind of bitter about it," McFadden admitted. "When I went to school I wanted to play receiver, I wanted to score touchdowns. . . . But I believe it was the best decision I ever could have made, and I don't regret it at all."

He adapted well, with quick feet and his 4.5 40 time allowing him to keep pace with opposing receivers. His 5-foot-9 stature didn't matter much at San Diego State, and although he's heard the knock on his small size at the professional level, the Browns aren't too concerned.

"Obviously, we all want the 6-1 corner," Browns General Manager Michael Lombardi said. "We all want Willie Brown from the old days, but sometimes it's harder to find. He makes plays on the football, which is important. He's got great awareness and he's got balance. Those are things when he's down the field that are important."

Said McFadden: "I really don't look at it as a problem. I'm a competitor, and I don't think my height has anything to do with me and my competitiveness in my playing."

The Browns were so confident in McFadden's abilities, in fact, that they did not schedule any extra workouts or interviews with the cornerback other than the ones he went through during the NFL Combine. Lombardi said that, along with high recommendations from San Diego State coaches on the four-year player, was enough.

"I didn't really speak to the Cleveland Browns, this was a big surprise to me," McFadden said of his selection by Cleveland. "I didn't talk to them much, probably some basic questionnaires, but other than that I didn't know they were interested in me at all."

In the end, McFadden's football play spoke for itself. Just like he always told his dad it would.

Views on small corner backs, passed-over quarterbacks, Ohio State guys, and Chuck E.Cheese's.

BEREA, Ohio -- Draft Night No. 2 Musings, or "Inches, schminches."

1. Just thinking about how much the body type of wide receivers has changed since the days of the Smurfs. Rangy guys who are big targets are the norm now. The Browns' third round pick, 5-9 cornerback Leon McFadden from San Diego State, will have plenty of work in that regard.

Browns general manager Mike Lombardi said, "He weighs 193 pounds, so he's got good size to him. We all want 6-1 corners, like Willie Brown from the old days. Leon makes makes plays on the football, he shows great awareness and balance, and those things downfield are important."

The guy is only two inches shorter than stellar cornerback Joe Haden. He was taken 62 picks lower (No. 68) than many expected the Browns to take a cornerback. But I don't think two inches is going to make him or break him.

2. The Browns passed on Matt Barkley of USC and Ryan Nassib of Syracuse to take McFadden. So much for looking for someone to put the heat on Brandon Weeden, which was one of the least believable pre-draft rumors anyway.

3. Just off the Ohio State-Miami game last season, I must say I like the RedHawks' QB, Zac Dysart. Ohio State coach Urban Meyer is convinced Dysart will play in the NFL.

4. Someone I know (deep blush) picked Barkley to win the Heisman before last season. Mentioning no names, of course.

5. Serial drug-test flunker Tyrann Mathieu of LSU went with the 69th pick to Arizona, immediately after McFadden. Evaluating risk/reward with the Honey Badger is just a crazy enterprise. Kids make mistakes, but Mathieu could be another one waiting to happen. The Browns were probably wise to let the Badger slip slide away.

6. The New York Giants might have made a good-value pick with Ohio State defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins at No. 49 in the second round. There were times when "Big Hank" was dominant and times when he ran out of gas. The Giants have won two Super Bowls since the turn of the century with pressure from their defensive front. They will substitute often enough that Hankins will be kept fresh.

7. Trading for Davone Bess is a nice small ball move. The Browns, contingent on his passing his physical, get a veteran who can make some third-down catches to move the sticks. At the cost of two picks late in the draft, it was a good move.

8. I have real reservations about Le'Veon Bell of Michigan State who went to the Steelers in the second round. The Reynoldsburg running back simply did not bring the old A game to the big games against rivals Michigan and Notre Dame and Big Ten powers Ohio State (17 carries, 45 yards) and Wisconsin.

9. There were no clips of the Badgers' Montee Ball fumbling at the goal-line when Ryan Shazier and John Simon put the old high-low on him late in the fourth quarter in Madison.

10. Kurt Warner on NFL Network summed up the Browns, as far as I am concerned, with a comment about Geno Smith finally going to the Jets in the second round. Warner said the Jets plug in a QB without the players around him that can make him successful. That was true with Colt McCoy here, no matter what happens for him in San Francisco. And, yeah, I am still swayed by Roger Staubach's glowing review of him in a phone interview last year.

11. Waaay too much attention to Geno Smith's travails before going No. 39 at the expense of MAC daddy and overall No. 1, Eric Fisher of Central Michigan, who was the MAC's first No.1. Just my opinion.

12. Hey, now that the Chargers picked Manti Te'o, he can be nearer Lennay Kekua, right? Turns out his California girlfriend wasn't the only thing imaginary. So was his alleged first-round draft status. Te'o was headed for the second round after his dismal BCS championship game effort against Alabama, even if the ethereal Ms. Kekua had been in the stands alongside Crimson Tide QB A.J. McCarron's beauty queen girlfriend, Katherine Webb.

Lucky, lucky No. 13. When I wrote that Browns' top pick Barkevious Mingo had 4.5 sacks in a disappointing final season at LSU, I noted that it was still more sacks than overall No. 1 Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson (two) had for Ohio State in his last season, some fans emailed, wondering whatever became of the Magnum Patriarch. Jim Naveau of the Lima News says Wilkinson now owns a Chuck E. Cheese's in the city.

To reach Bill Livingston:

blivingston@plaind.com, 216-999-4672

On Twitter: @LivyPD

The Cleveland Browns picked up a linebacker and a cornerback with their first two picks in the NFL Draft, but still could use some help at safety.

View full sizeWhile fellow SEC pass rusher Jarvis Jones from Georgia is now with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, Browns top pick Barkevious Mingo says there is no personal rivalry with Jones. In the photo, Jones holds up a Steelers jersey with Arthur Rooney II as coach Mike Tomlin watches.Keith Srakocic, Associated Press 

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns have addressed two of their three biggest positional needs on defense.

As they prepare for the NFL Draft's final day the club is likely still shopping for a safety. The one who led the nation in interceptions remains available.

Fresno State's Phillip Thomas picked off eight passes a season ago and forced 19 turnovers in three years with the Bulldogs. He's the type of ball hawk who could complement the hard-hitting style of strong safety T.J. Ward in the Browns' secondary.

Thomas was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award given annually to college football's top defensive back. It was won by Mississippi State cornerback Johnthan Banks – drafted by Tampa Bay in the second round.

The knock on Thomas (6-0, 210) is he lacks man-cover skills and isn't a big hitter. The Browns hold the 14th pick in the fourth round following the trade with Miami for receiver Davone Bess.

Other safety options are Georgia's Bacarri Rambo, who has character issues, and Florida's Josh Evans.

If the Browns made no moves at this position they likely would open with second-year free safety Tashaun Gipson. They waived Usama Young on April 2.

Among the safeties chosen Friday was Johnathan Cyprien of Florida International, who visited with the Browns.

Forever linked? A pair of the draft's top edge rushers are now AFC North rivals. Reporters asked Browns top pick Barkevious Mingo if he was surprised Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 17.

"I'm surprised he fell that far, yes, but the coaches here obviously knew what they wanted in a player and as a person," Mingo said. "I think they made the right decision, obviously, but I'm just thrilled to be here."

Jones led the nation last season with 14.5 sacks, but his stock dropped due to a medical concern (spinal stenosis) and pedestrian workouts. The fortunes of Mingo and Jones likely will be followed closely by Browns fans in the coming years.

Mingo, who met the Bulldogs linebacker at the NFL Scouting Combine, downplayed any personal rivalry.

"Just a good person, a good player, I wish him nothing but the best," Mingo said. "I guess I'll let you guys come up with the rivalry aspect of it. We're just going to play football."

"Trunk" Richardson: Mingo becomes teammates with former SEC rival Trent Richardson. The Browns' top pick thought he played well against the two-time defending national champions and "got a lot of hits" on Richardson two years ago.

"But he's a trunk, man," Mingo said. "He don't go down easy."

Brownies: NFL legendary players announced the picks for teams in the second and third rounds on Friday night in New York. Dick Schafrath, a left tackle on the 1964 NFL Championship team, introduced the Browns' third-round pick -- cornerback Leon McFadden from San Diego State. . . . Among the picks swapped to obtain Miami receiver Davone Bess was No. 164 that they obtained from San Francisco in the Colt McCoy deal. . . . McFadden is the seventh player selected by the Browns from San Diego State and the first since wide receiver Patrick Rowe was selected in the second round of the 1992 draft. . . . The Browns have selected a cornerback for five straight drafts.

Sipe's pick? McFadden wasn't sure if Brian Sipe had anything to do with his selection by the Browns, but he probably didn't hurt. The former Browns quarterback from 1974 to 1983 served as an assistant coach at San Diego State during all four of McFadden's seasons at the school.

"I just thought about that when I got the phone call," McFadden said with a chuckle.

Northern lights: A quick look around the AFC North.

• The Bengals are drawing early praise for their draft and helped themselves more on Friday by signing right tackle Andre Smith, an unrestricted free agent, to a three-year deal. The Bengals grabbed running back Giovani Bernard of North Carolina and defensive end Margus Hunt of SMU in the second round, then selected Georgia safety Shawn Williams in the third round. Cincinnati draft tight end Tyler Eifert of Notre Dame in the first round. Bernard was the first running back selected in the draft, No. 37 overall.

• The Steelers grabbed Oregon State wide receiver Markus Wheaton in the third round to help replace Mike Wallace, who jumped to the Dolphins in free agency. Wheaton caught 91 passes for 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

• Baltimore addressed its aging defense. After taking free safety Matt Elam -- brother of former Browns defender Abe Elam -- in Thursday's first round, the Ravens drafted inside linebacker Arthur Brown of Kansas State at No. 56 overall after acquiring the pick from Seattle in a trade. In the third round they selected 335-pound defensive tackle Brandon Williams from Missouri Southern.

SEC rules: There's no arguing the strongest conference. Out fo 97 players chosen in the frist three rounds, 32 were from the SEC. Six are from LSU, including the Browns' first pick, Barkevious Mingo.

Plain Dealer reporter Jodie Valade and cleveland.com contributor Chris Fedor contributed to this report.

What do you think of what the Browns have done so far -- the drafting of Barkevious Mingo and Leon McFadden, and the trade for Davone Bess?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have made three significant moves during the 2013 NFL draft.

They selected Louisiana State outside linebacker-defensive end Barkevious Mingo with the sixth pick in the first round on Thursday night.

Friday night, the Browns acquired veteran wide receiver Davone Bess in a trade with the Dolphins. In the deal, Cleveland and Miami exchanged fourth-round picks -- the Browns giving the Dolphins the 104th overall pick, and the Browns getting the 111th pick in return. Also, the Browns gave up a fifth-rounder, No. 164 overall, and received a seventh-rounder, at No. 217, from Miami.

Then, the Browns took San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden in the third round, the 68th overall pick.

The Browns are scheduled to make five picks on Saturday as the draft concludes. They have picks in the fourth (111th overall), fifth (139th) and sixth (175th) rounds, and two picks in the seventh and final round (217th and 227th).

What do you think of what the Browns have done so far -- the drafting of Barkevious Mingo and Leon McFadden, and the trade for Davone Bess?