Browns deal with Dallas to add picks

By MIKE McLAIN Tribune Chronicle
BEREA — The Browns were wheeling and dealing Sunday in day two of the NFL draft, and, as usual, the Dallas Cowboys can be given an assist.

The teams made two trades as the Browns upgraded draft positions to secure two selections in the fourth round and two in the sixth round. The teams have made four combined trades during the last two drafts, with the most significant being the deal that gave the Browns a second first-round pick last year that was used to land quarterback Brady Quinn.

In the first trade Sunday the Browns shipped fourth and fifth-round picks to the Cowboys for the Cowboys’ fourth-round choice (104th overall). The Browns used the choice on UNLV linebacker Beau Bell.

Less than half an hour later the Browns sent their 2009 third-round choice to the Cowboys for another of the Cowboys’ fourth-round picks (111th). That choice was used on University of Missouri tight end Martin Rucker.

‘‘They know that we’re willing to make a trade, and their team has always been very active over the years,’’ Browns general manager Phil Savage said of the working relationship with the Cowboys. ‘‘There’s not a lot of negotiation with it. It’s a ’we’ll do this if you do that’ and you can cut to the chase more quickly than with some other teams.’’

The Browns weren’t done trading after the fourth round. They dealt next year’s fifth-round choice to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 25th pick in the round (191st). The deal gave the Browns consecutive picks (they owned the 190th pick from the trade last Sept. 11 that sent quarterback Charlie Frye to the Seattle Seahawks).

The first of the two picks was used on Ahtyba Rubin, a nose tackle from Iowa State. Paul Hubbard, a receiver from the University of Wisconsin, was selected with the next pick.

The Browns used their final pick (24th of the seventh round) on defensive end Alex Hall of St. Augustine. Hall projects to outside linebacker.

Savage, who spent the first day of the draft as a spectator, felt good about the moves that secured Bell and Rucker. He expects both to become regular contributors soon in their careers.

‘‘I feel like when we kick off on opening day Beau Bell will be on the field,’’ Savage said. ‘‘That’s an immediate contribution. I’d be shocked if he’s not on the field playing. I think Martin Rucker is going to get a lot of experience over the next couple months because of the (injury) situations we have with both Steve (Heiden) and Kellen (Winslow). We’ll see how much he can grasp and where he goes. He’s certainly capable of being a starting tight end in this league.’’

The plan entering the draft was to concentrate on cornerbacks, inside linebackers, outside linebackers and tight ends. A run on cornerbacks in the third round forced the Browns to select higher-rated players at other positions.

The depth chart at cornerback is thin. Second-year players Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald are the projected starters, with Daven Holly expected to be the third corner.

‘‘We can’t say that we have a proven player that we can line up there right now,’’ coach Romeo Crennel said. ‘‘We do have people on the team that have played the position and are in competition for the position.

‘‘If you could have an All Pro at that position, you’d feel better about it. We don’t feel quite as good about it because we don’t have an All Pro. The guys we have have shown that they can play the game at this level.’’

Savage will sign some cornerbacks from the pool of undrafted players before a rookie orientation next weekend. The Browns researched the availability of Oakland Raiders cornerback Fabian Washington but decided not to pursue a trade.

‘‘I can’t magically create a cornerback, but obviously it’s something we’re going to continue to watch,’’ Savage said. ‘‘We knew there were a lot of corners that were going to go in this draft, particularly in the second or third round. The better ones went at the top half of the fourth round, at least the ones that were rated the highest.

‘‘Like I’ve said all along, you may have four needs, and you may only be able to fill two of them legitimately. We feel like Beau Bell and Martin Rucker could be answers for us in the future, and that’s what you’re trying to get in those middle rounds.’’

Rubin (6-2, 315) recorded 42 tackles (24 solos) last season.

Hubbard (6-2, 221) is a rangy receiver that fits in well with the Browns’ passing offense. He had just 14 receptions last season but missed five games with a knee injury. Savage projects him as a contributor after Joe Jurevicius retires.

Hall (6-6, 260) is a converted tight end that’s bulked up considerably in recent years. He’s the most developmental of the five players drafted.

mmclain@tribune-chronicle.com