Browns Believe They Found Three Starters in Recent NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns’ 1987 draft crop may well result in three rookies cracking the starting lineup.

First-round draft pick Mike Junkin is expected to move into the left outside linebacker spot, replacing four-time Pro-Bowl player Chip Banks.

Gregg Rakoczy is challenging at both left and right tackle. Coach Marty Schottenheimer indicates the 6-foot-6, 290-pounder will be tried on the right side, where Pro-Bowl player Cody Risien plays.

The surest bet to start is kicker Jeff Jaeger. The Washington product is virtually unchallenged, as incumbent Matt Bahr’s recuperation from knee surgery has been slow and 39-year-old veteran Mark Moseley was released. Cleveland signed free agent Mike Cofer of North Carolina State as a safety valve should Jaeger falter.

“People have criticized our trading Chip Banks in order to be in a position to take Mike Junkin,” says Schottenheimer. “I have to point out that getting Gregg Rakoczy was no accident. It directly related from the fact we made that deal and swapped (first- and second-round) picks with the Los Angeles Rams.

“We also made a trade with the Rams that gave us another third-round pick, and that was used to take Jeff Jaeger. I think, overall, that we helped our team a lot.”

Schottenheimer says he “has no doubts” about the abilities of the top three picks.

“I have a great deal of confidence in and respect for our scouting system,” he says. “These players were studied and evaluated on a very meticulous basis.”

Cleveland’s recent drafts have produced disappointment. Last year, only second-round pick wide receiver Webster Slaughter played. In 1985, running back Greg Allen was taken in the second round as the top pick and saw limited action until being released last September.

“I feel this draft will eventually prove to be one of the best since I came here (in 1980),” Schottenheimer said. “We came out with a lot of talent.”

The Browns have refrained from saying that the trade of Banks, who staged holdouts the last two training camps, was achieved in order to quiet any discord on the team.

Junkin, for one, says he suspects “it will be hard to fill Banks’ shoes,” but shrugs off any talk of being compared with the departed linebacker.

“I’m sure Chip Banks will continue to play very well,” said Junkin. “He’s a great player.

“I think I can be, and I’m being given the opportunity to prove it. But it’s not like the Browns are dumping the job in my lap. There are other guys in camp who want to make it so they start and not me. Training camp will gave each of us the real test.”

Rakoczy’s selection prompted some curiosity because the Browns insist they are satisfied with their offensive line. But quarterback Bernie Kosar’s deliberate style isn’t likely to get any quicker, and Rakoczy is known as a fierce pass blocker.

“You know we had to take this guy,” says offensive line coach Howard Mudd. “It didn’t make any sense not to. A lot of people considered him the top center in the draft. He’s a terrific athlete, and players like that can only help.”