NEW YORK -- With a potential Josh Gordon-sized hole to fill on offense, the Cleveland Browns were in the perfect position to add talent at wide receiver with the 35th overall pick in the second round.
How to watch the NFL draft
With the 2014 NFL Draft officially underway, find out how to catch all the action from Radio City Music Hall on NFL Network. **More ...**
So, naturally, they selected a guard.
Nevada's Joel Bitonio became Cleveland's third pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, giving the Browns a player NFL Media's Mike Mayock called a "hidden gem" and someone with the versatility to displace right guard Jason Pinkston or Mitchell Schwartz at the tackle spot across from Joe Thomas. It's the highest the Browns have taken an offensive lineman since Pro Bowl center Alex Mack was picked 21st overall in 2009.
This O-line needed help after allowing 49 sacks last season, the third most in the NFL, but Cleveland still has a burning need at wideout.
With Gordon facing a possible lengthy suspension for a positive drug test, the Browns could have grabbed USC's Marqise Lee or the underrated Allen Robinson out of Penn State. Lee went off the board four picks later to the Jaguars.
UPDATE: The Browns shied away from picking a receiver with their last two picks of the day, taking Iowa outside linebacker Christian Kirksey (71st overall) and Towson running back Terrance West (94th overall), both in the third round.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" provides instant reaction to all the wild happenings in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
