Cleveland Browns mascot during a preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

The Detroit Lions kick off their 2012 campaign with the annual Great Lakes Classic preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. I checked in with Steve DiMatteo, editor at Dawg Pound Daily, to get caught up on the state of the Browns and his expectations for the team in 2012.

My thanks to Steve for taking the time to answer my questions.

Zac Snyder: How do you think the Browns did in the draft?

Steve DiMatteo: That’s always tough to say in June, but it’s hard to argue with the Browns getting a running back with as much potential as Trent Richardson, not to mention at least attempting to improve the quarterback situation with Brandon Weeden. As of now, both have looked impressive in OTAs and minicamp, so the prospects of this draft are certainly promising.

Zac Snyder: Which position group or player needs to step up most for the Browns to have success in 2012?

SD: The wide receivers have to improve this season, most notably Greg Little, who will be coming off an impressive rookie campaign. The Browns did not go out and sign any receivers through free agency, so Little will be counted on to be a major contributor. The receiving corps is thin enough as it is, and if Little regresses, there won’t be much of an overall improvement from this offense.

Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

College athletic office fax machines started receiving signed letters of intent this morning as high school seniors can officially end their recruitment thanks to the arrival of national signing day. Meanwhile, a group of now former college football players have their sights set on making the transition from college to the pros.

It is essentially a foregone conclusion that Andrew Luck will be picked first overall in April’s NFL draft but it was just four years ago that he was just a high school prospect sending in his signed letter of intent. Luck was a highly touted prep star so his standing heading towards the draft is not particularly surprising, however that isn’t the case for everyone. Here is a look at the 32 players in Mel Kiper’s first mock draft and where they were ranked as they made their move from high school to college (ratings from scout.com):

While the focus today will be on the four and five star rated players, we see here that three of the players that could be first round draft choices into the NFL were rated at just two stars. It also needs to be pointed out that Morris Claiborne, likely the first cornerback selected in April, was rated as the 90th best wide receiver when he signed with LSU. Similarly, Riley Reiff went to Iowa as the nation’s number 69 defensive end and will leave as a first round offensive tackle.

Just as a number one rated recruiting class doesn’t guarantee a national championship, a recruiting ranking only speaks to the prospect’s potential at that given point in time. A whole lot can change, for better and worse.

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