Cleveland Takes Edwards with the No. 3 Pick

Months of speculation regarding when wide receiver Braylon Edwards would be drafted ended Saturday when NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue stepped to the podium and announced the Cleveland Browns were selecting the Michigan star with the third pick of the 2005 NFL Draft.

Braylon Edwards became the highest Wolverine selected since Hall of Fame lineman Tom Mack was selected second overall in 1966. Edwards also became the 10th Michigan player ever taken in the first five picks of the draft. "To be the first receiver taken means a lot and definitely to go to a team like Cleveland; an organization like the Browns with a new start with Romeo Crennel and I'm excited!" Edwards told ESPN following his selection.

When asked which number he would want at the next level, Edwards replied, "I haven't thought about it yet, I'm just happy to be in the pros. I'm definitely happy to be with the Browns and that's all I can think about now". Cleveland Head Coach Romeo Crennel, who is a defensive minded coach, explained after the selection why Edwards was too good to pass on. "One of the things that we saw in him was that he's a big, physical receiver, a really competitive attitude." Crennel also cited Edwards' playmaking ability as a big reason they decided to select him. "He's been able to make some big plays going up, taking the ball away from defensive backs and when the game is on the line he produces. We are all excited about that and we feel good about having Braylon on our team."

Edwards will join former Wolverine Aaron Shea with the Browns. He will battle wide outs Antonio Bryant and Andre Davis for the starting receiver slots.