Auburn quarterback Cam Newton among the nine big name prospects visiting Cleveland Browns Wednesday

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Controversial Auburn quarterback Cam Newton was among the nine big-name draft prospects visiting the Browns today at their Berea facility, a league source told the Plain Dealer.

The others included Georgia receiver A.J. Green, Alabama receiver Julio Jones, Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers, Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt, Baylor nosetackle Phil Taylor and Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith.

Browns President Mike Holmgren acknowledged during a press conference in March that the Browns would "look hard'' at Newton, and they've done just that. In addition to hosting him Wednesday, the Browns worked him out privately in March. Holmgren said not to discount anything in the draft, including taking a quarterback with the No. 6 pick.

"I think with our due diligence as an organization and a personnel department, it's our obligation to evaluate the best players coming out of college football," Holmgren said at the press conference. "Cam Newton is one of those and so, yes, we are looking hard. It's fun for me anyway; I've told you this before.

"Even though I don't have anything to do around here, it's fun for me to grade the quarterbacks and watch the quarterbacks and try to get an idea of how they play.''

One of Holmgren's proteges, ESPN's Jon Gruden, spent considerable time with Newton for his quarterback series and concluded he deserves to go No. 1 overall.
"I think Cam Newton's the best player in the country,'' Gruden told the Tampa Tribune. "I agree with the Heisman Trophy people that gave him the award. He's got everything I'm looking for.''

Newton is controversial because he has amazing athletic ability but questionable character, according to some experts. Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki ripped Newton on a conference call, saying he's been told by NFL people that he's "a fraud, a narcissist and a con artist.''

Despite that, the Panthers are believed to be considering him with the first overall pick, and the Bengals might also take him at No. 4.

Watt is a premier end the Browns like to help power their new 4-3 defense. Taylor is a stout nose tackle that might be there in round two or three, and Smith is a cornerback the Browns like, but most likely after the first round.

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