Though they were quiet on Day 1 of the 2008 NFL Draft it didn't take long for Phil Savage and the Cleveland Browns to get busy on Day 2. In doing so the Browns feel they added at least 2 players in UNLV's Beau Bell and Missouri's Martin Rucker that can contribute in 2008.

Expecting to pick at #122 in the 4th round the Browns opted to trade up with the Dallas Cowboys into the #104 pick in the 4th round. There the Browns opted to take ILB Beau Bell from UNLV, a player they had a 2nd round rating on in the fall. Bell had slipped on some draft boards due to a poor times 40-yard dash after dealing with a knee injury. The Browns had been a fan of his since 2006 when they saw him play while scouting current Browns CB Eric Wright at UNLV. To move up and get Bell the Browns swapped picks with Dallas in round 4 and gave them their 5th round pick in this years draft.

Later in the 4th round the Browns turned some heads again by trading once again with the Dallas Cowboys to pick Rucker. Rucker, like Bell, carried a 2nd round value to the Browns and was more of a value pick then a needs pick according to Savage. Rucker also adds some insurance if incumbent pro bowl TE Kellen Winslow II were to have any problems with injuries he has suffered in years past. Rucker, a consensus All-American in 2007, is not a great blocker, but set new records at Missouri in 2007 for tight ends by catching 84 passes. Savage envisions a possibility of Winslow II and Rucker on the filed at the same time some day. The Browns gave Dallas their 3rd round pick in 2009 for the right to draft Rucker at pick #111 of the 4th round.

The Browns next pick was Iowa State defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin in the 6th round at #190. At 6'3" and 315 lbs. the Browns are hoping Rubin can add depth to their defensive line. The Browns were not done with Rubin though in round 6, through a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles the Browns picked again just 1 pick later at #191. To do so the Browns sent their 2009 5th round pick to grab Wisconsin WR Paul Hubbard. Hubbard is a big, lanky receiver at 6'3" and 221 lbs. who runs the 40 in the 4.4 - 4.5 range. Hubbard is considered a project and never lived up to his potential in 2007 due to injury. With his size and speed though he is a very intriguing prospect.

Wrapping up the draft the Browns selected DE Alex Hall from St. Augustine with the #231 pick of the 7th round. Hall, like Chase Pittman and Melila Purcell in 2007 is a project and a long shot to make the team in 2008.

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