By Rob Calonge
Coming into today, it was difficult to find a mock draft that had Alex Mack listed as the top center in the 2009 NFL Draft. Bear Backers were convinced that he was the best center and apparently, the Cleveland Browns also felt the same way. With the Cleveland Browns fourth opportunity to take a pick in the first round, they finally stood pat and selected Mack with the 21st pick in the NFL Draft. The Browns, originally slotted with the fifth pick of the draft, traded down three times. The trades netted them several veterans and five more draft picks in this year's draft.
Maybe the biggest sign of respect for the pick of Mack was that every television draft scout approved. Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, Mike Mayock, and the rest of their panelists had nothing but good things to say about the former Cal Bear. Mack's selection makes him only the eigth center taken in the first round since 1988. It's exactly what he wanted. While telling me that he liked fellow Pac-10 center Max Unger and saying that he wished him luck, he made sure to also state that he wanted to be the first center taken in the draft. Cleveland showed signs of interest as late as this last week. Mack was flown out to Cleveland and apparently that last meeting was what formed the Browns' draft plans. They must like what Mack says he brings to the table:
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