With no picks in the first three rounds of the draft, due to trades that resulted in the arrival of an overrated defensive tackle (Corey Williams), an overfed defensive tackle (Shaun Rogers), and a bench-warming “Quarterback of the Future, But Possibly In Another City” (Brady Quinn), the Cleveland Browns are nevertheless actually making advance plans for their picks in rounds four through seven.

According to the Akron Beacon Journal, the Browns wants a ‘tweener. As in a hybrid defensive end/linebacker, who can be groomed to play outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. Said ‘tweener would be paired with Kamerion Wembley.

The problem is that, because the Browns aren’t on the clock until the 122nd overall pick, it’ll be hard to discern with a high degree of certainty the players who’ll be available at that time. And unless the Browns are flat-out bluffing (which is possible), their desire for a ‘tweener is an open invitation for any team choosing after No. 122 to move ahead of the Browns in an effort to pluck the player whom the Browns might plan to pick.

In hindsight, the better approach would have been to not give up a second-round pick in 2007 and a first-round pick in 2008 for the ability to land Quinn. (By the way, that transaction kind of puts Jared Allen’s potential value in perspective, doesn’t it?) Though Browns G.M. Phil Savage deserves plenty of credit for what his team accomplished a year ago, it would have been nice if he’d known that Derek Anderson was poised to become a pretty good quarterback.

Then again, maybe Anderson played so well only because he had no pressure on him, given that he assumed the job as the presumed placeholder until Quinn was ready. The absence of any temptation to peer over his shoulder allowed Anderson to remain relaxed, which in turn allowed him to play so well. It’ll be interesting to see how Anderson performs in 2008, with the burdens and expectations of being the clear-cut starter — and with a backup who continues to boast about his intentions to win the No. 1 job.

But we digress. If the Browns still had the No. 22 overall pick in round one, they’d be in prime position to land a guy like Quentin Groves of Auburn. And they wouldn’t be trolling for a sleeper long after most of the folks who follow the draft are sawing logs on their couches.