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Browns linebacker Scott Fujita was suspended three games for his participation in a bounty system while he was a member of the New Orleans Saints.

He was one of four players who were disciplined by the NFL on Wednesday, and he received the smallest penalty. Fujita will have the opportunity to appeal. Based on his $3.65 million salary this season, he will lose around $645,000 if the three-game suspension stands. He can participate in all offseason activities including preseason games.

Here's what the league had to say about Fujita in the official release:

The record established that Fujita, a linebacker, pledged a significant amount of money to the prohibited pay-for-performance/bounty pool during the 2009 NFL Playoffs when he played for the Saints. The pool to which he pledged paid large cash rewards for “cart-offs” and “knockouts,” plays during which an opposing player was injured.

There was talk that Fujita would be fined but not get suspended by the NFL. Fujita, a member of the NFL Players Association's executive committee, previously admitted to paying teammates for big plays while in New Orleans, but not for hurting opponents and not as part of the bounty pool.

The Browns have played without Fujita before. When the team placed him on injured reserve last November with a hand injury, weakside linebacker Chris Gocong moved to Fujita's spot on the strong side and backup Kaluka Maiava started on the weak side.

The Cleveland Browns extended another starter, but it's not running back Peyton Hillis.

Cleveland reached a three-year, $16.8 million contract with outside linebacker Chris Gocong, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Gocong becomes the fourth player to get a new deal from the Browns this year, joining left tackle Joe Thomas, defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin and tight end Evan Moore.

So, when will it be Hillis' turn? Team president Mike Holmgren said earlier this month that the Browns are "trying like crazy" to sign their powerful starting running back, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

Last week, general manager Tom Heckert declined to comment on the status of negotiations with Hillis. "Until we get a deal done with somebody, we're not gonna talk about it," Heckert said.

Gocong, 27, is a strong role player who is in his fifth season as a starter (second year for Cleveland). He does his best work when moving forward, whether it's pressuring the quarterback or a run blitz.

Since I'm big on giving free advice lately, here is another tip for the division: The Cleveland Browns should pursue free-agent linebacker Aaron Maybin.

The Buffalo Bills released the 2009 first-round pick on Monday. Maybin is one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory. He recorded just 24 tackles and zero sacks in two seasons.

But that doesn't mean the Browns shouldn't take a flier on the 23-year-old. Cleveland desperately needs depth at outside linebacker behind starters Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong. Maybin also had the ability to rush the passer in college, which is another element the Browns could use.

Cleveland defensive coordinator Dick Jauron was the head coach in Buffalo when the Bills drafted Maybin No. 11 overall two years ago. Jauron has familiarity with Maybin. Perhaps the veteran coach can get something (anything?) out of the draft bust.

The Browns are building through the draft but this would be another low-risk move for a young player. Cleveland doesn't have anything to lose. I think it's worth a shot.

From top to bottom, the AFC North is full of talented players.

Everyone knows household names such as Ray Lewis, Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed and Chad Ochocinco. But the division also has solid, under-the-radar players who have important roles without the spotlight.

In no particular order, here are five underrated players in the division from last season.

1. Sam Koch, P, Baltimore Ravens

2010 stats: 81 punts, 43.6 average, 39 inside 20

Analysis: Koch's stellar year was overshadowed by Baltimore kicker Billy Cundiff's record-setting season. But Koch joined Cundiff to become the 12th and 13th men on defense with Cundiff's 40 touchbacks, which tied an NFL record, and Koch's 39 punts downed inside the 20. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, who is a former special-teams coach, takes the third phase of the game very seriously, and Koch is a big part of that.

2. Scott Fujita, LB, Cleveland Browns

2010 stats: 51 tackles, 3.5 sacks

Analysis: Fujita was a solid free-agent signing for the Browns and played nine games last season. But as soon as he got injured in Week 10, the defense lost its toughness and went downhill. The Browns are going through a lot of transition under first-year head coach Pat Shurmur, which includes a switch to a 4-3 defense. But Fujita played much of his career in a 4-3 and should be comfortable going back to that scheme. He's expected to start, along with fellow linebackers Chris Gocong and D'Qwell Jackson.

3. Isaac Redman, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

2010 stats: 52 carries, 247 yards, two total touchdowns

Analysis: Two years ago, Redman was a player who would do well in practice and training camp but never got the opportunity in games. Last season the Steelers finally used their best-kept secret, and the undrafted running back was productive in a limited role. Redman averaged 4.8 yards per carry last season while spelling workhorse Rashard Mendenhall. Redman is a very tough runner who moves the chains. He likely will have an increased role in 2011, as Pittsburgh tries to do a better job of keeping Mendenhall (324 carries) fresh.

4. Josh Wilson, CB, Ravens

2010 stats: 40 tackles, three interceptions

Analysis: Last summer's trade to acquire Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks didn't garner many headlines. But the move turned out to be solid for Baltimore. Wilson got better as the season progressed and eventually replaced Fabian Washington to start nine games. There were some highs, such as Wilson's interception for a touchdown in overtime to beat the Houston Texans, and some lows, such as getting beat on the late touchdown to Roddy White in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. But overall Wilson was Baltimore's steadiest corner in the second half of last season. The Ravens will attempt to re-sign Wilson, who is a free agent.

5. Jordan Shipley, WR, Cincinnati Bengals,

2010 stats: 52 receptions, 600 yards, three touchdowns

Analysis: Shipley was taken one spot ahead of friend and former Texas teammate Colt McCoy last year, and both had productive rookie seasons. Shipley is a smart player who, despite his size, is fearless going across the middle. He quickly became a favorite of Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer and caught 52 passes. The Bengals may have a new quarterback next season, but Shipley should remain productive in the slot.

It was a somewhat surprising move last week when the Cleveland Browns re-signed linebacker D'Qwell Jackson to a one-year extension. Jackson had suffered back-to-back pectoral injuries the past two seasons, and with a new regime it appeared he was going to test the free-agent market.

But president Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert liked what they saw of Jackson when healthy and offered a reported one-year deal worth a max of $4.5 million. Now Jackson is in line to complete Cleveland's linebacker corps.

Here is an in-depth look at the Browns' projected starters in 2011:

D'Qwell Jackson, MLB

Experience: six seasons

2010 stats: N/A


Analysis: Jackson has a has a chance to shine in a 4-3 defense if he stays healthy. He has good football instincts, plays hard and is always around the football. In Jackson's last full year as a starter, he led Cleveland with 154 tackles to go with two sacks and three interceptions in 2008. Jackson is not big for a middle linebacker, so he struggled taking on guards and offensive linemen in the middle of a 3-4 defense. But a 4-3 will protect Jackson and allow him to fly to the football, which is what he does best. It will be key for the Browns to add quality defensive linemen, where the team is pretty thin.

Scott Fujita, OLB

Experience: 10 seasons

2010 stats: 51 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one interception


Analysis: Fujita had an underrated impact on the Browns last season. He brought experience, smarts and toughness to the defense. And as soon as Fujita went down in Week 10 with a season-ending knee injury, it became very noticeable as Cleveland's defense immediately went downhill the final seven weeks of the season. The Browns are counting on a healthy Fujita to bring those same qualities next season. He has a lot of experience playing in a 4-3 defense, so there won't be much of a learning curve.

Chris Gocong, OLB

Experience: six seasons

2010 stats: 75 tackles, two sacks


Analysis: The Browns made an offseason trade with the Philadelphia Eagles last year for two late draft picks and got two starters in Gocong and veteran cornerback Sheldon Brown. Gocong was the lower-profile acquisition, but he was productive, starting all 16 games and recording 75 tackles and two sacks. Gocong is versatile and could probably play all three linebacker positions if needed. He did an admirable job in the second half of last season at inside linebacker, though it's not his natural position.

It's easy to see how Cleveland's front office believes all three players will benefit from the switch to a 4-3 defense. The Browns might add depth to this group in the draft, but it's unlikely Cleveland will go linebacker with the No. 6 overall pick. Defensive linemen are desperately needed up front to make this 4-3 scheme work.

BEREA, Ohio--The AFC North blog continues its summer tour by visiting its third training camp in the division. After checking out the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, it's time to spend some quality time this week with the Cleveland Browns.

There are a lot of question marks surrounding this year's Browns, who are trying to climb out of the basement of the division. Here are five things I'll be looking for:

1. How is Jake Delhomme progressing?

Skinny: There are a lot of nervous Clevelanders when it comes to Delhomme. He's coming off the worst year of his career, and it will be interesting to see how sharp he looks in camp this week to provide clues of whether he can bounce back.

2. Will the receivers step up?

Skinny: Somebody has to catch Delhomme's passes, and the receivers expected to do so are mostly unproven. This group will have to grow up fast this summer to be productive. Otherwise, it could be a tough year offensively.

3. Can the Browns' defense lead?

Skinny: With so many questions on offense, Cleveland's defense is expected to be the strength of this team, particularly early in the season. The Browns spent a lot of resources and draft picks to add depth at linebacker (Scott Fujita, Chris Gocong) and the secondary (Sheldon Brown, T.J. Ward, Joe Haden). This unit needs to set the tone.

4. Will Joe Haden get up to speed?

Skinny: Haden, the No. 7 overall pick, looked unsure of himself in minicamp. But the Browns are expecting more reps to speed up Haden's learning curve to the point where he will play a solid role in the secondary this season.

5. What's next for Josh Cribbs?

Skinny: Coming off a new contract extension, the Browns appear interested in getting Cribbs involved in as many ways as possible. He's playing in the Wildcat, at receiver, and even played a little defense in last weekend's scrimmage. It will be interesting to see what the Browns' coaching staff has in store for Cribbs.

Before free agency and the "win-now" mentality that dominates today's NFL, there was a time when teams could groom players for several years before they finally hit the field.

Those days are a distant memory. With coaches and general managers being hired and fired regularly, the learning curve for young players is shorter than ever in the NFL.

Many get one "redshirt" season to struggle in their rookie year before it's time to produce. If not, teams usually move on to the next player who can help.

With that said, here are seven second-year players in the AFC North who need to become studs for their respective teams this season.

1. Andre Smith, OT, Cincinnati Bengals

2009 draft status: First round

Analysis: Cincinnati recently made various upgrades to its skill positions on offense. But one of the biggest additions this year could be a healthy and productive Andre Smith. The Bengals swept the AFC North in 2009 with little impact from their No. 6 overall pick. A broken foot sidelined Smith for 10 games until he was healthy enough to contribute mostly as a backup later in the year. Additional foot surgery has kept Smith from doing team drills this offseason, but he is optimistic that his foot problems will soon be a thing of the past. With the Bengals expected to air it out more this year, quarterback Carson Palmer could use the additional pass protection.

Stud/dud importance rating (scale of 1 to 10): 9.5

2. Brian Robiskie, WR, Cleveland Browns

2009 draft status: Second round

Analysis: The Browns desperately need someone (anyone?) to step up at wide receiver this year. Last year's leading receiver was Mohamed Massaquoi, who caught only 34 passes. This presents a golden opportunity for Robiskie, who had only seven receptions for 106 yards in his rookie year. Robiskie entered the NFL with a reputation of being one of the draft's most NFL-ready players, but he struggled to fit in with Cleveland's offensive scheme. Cleveland quarterback Jake Delhomme will need someone to throw to next season. This is Robiskie's time to step up.

Stud/dud importance rating: 8

3. Paul Kruger, DE/OLB, Baltimore Ravens

2009 draft status: Second round

Analysis: Kruger didn't contribute much until late last season. His inability to play on special teams only highlighted the fact that he wasn't on the field for most of the year. The drafting of pass-rush specialist Sergio Kindle puts Kruger in an odd spot this season. The Ravens were not expecting Kindle to be on the board in the second round, but they took a dynamic prospect who could potentially fill the role Baltimore's coaching staff once had in mind for Kruger. The Ravens are trying to figure out how Kruger can best assist the team in his second season and there has been some discussion of him adding weight to help more as a defensive end.

Stud/dud importance rating: 7.5

4. Ziggy Hood, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers

2009 draft status: First round

Analysis: Hood had a typical rookie year for the Steelers. On a veteran-laden team, he was able to get his feet wet in the defensive-line rotation without the pressure of being a starter. Hood played in all 16 games as a reserve and recorded eight tackles, one sack and two passes defensed. Barring injury, Hood will remain a backup this year but still needs to increase his production. Ideally, Hood will be able to earn more snaps and be able to keep starting defensive ends Brett Keisel and Aaron Smith fresh in the trenches.

Stud/dud importance rating: 7

5. David Veikune, LB, Browns

2009 draft status: Second round

Analysis: Ten games, zero tackles. That is not a good stat line for any rookie, let alone a second-round pick who arrived in Cleveland with decent expectations. Veikune had a forgettable rookie year that included struggling to learn the NFL game and eventually being passed over for playing time by fellow rookie (and Cleveland's fourth-round pick) Kaluka Maiava. The Browns added veterans Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong this offseason to fill key roles at linebacker. That means it's even more important for Veikune to be ready to show Cleveland's coaching staff what he can do when his number is called.

Stud/dud importance rating: 5

6. Lardarius Webb, CB, Ravens

2009 draft status: Third round

Analysis: Webb had a solid rookie year for the Ravens. He contributed on special teams and eventually worked his way into the starting lineup before a knee injury ended his season. That same knee injury is a cause for concern this season. Webb was hurt so late in the year that it's questionable whether he will be ready for the start of training camp or even Week 1 of the regular season. Webb recently began running, which is good progress. If healthy, Webb could be a starter in a Baltimore secondary that has struggled in recent years. A healthy and productive second season for Webb would put a lot of those concerns to rest.

Stud/dud importance rating: 8.5

7. Chase Coffman, TE, Bengals

2009 draft status: Third round

Analysis: Despite Cincinnati recently drafting tight end Jermaine Gresham in the first round, the team could still benefit from a healthy Coffman. Gresham and Coffman, who didn't play a game in the regular season last year, could be two additional weapons in the passing game that Cincinnati didn't have last season. Most project Gresham to beat out Coffman for a starting job. The Bengals also re-signed veteran tight end Reggie Kelly, who is one of the better blocking tight ends in the NFL. That probably leaves a limited amount of playing time for Coffman, who has to make the most of his opportunities.

Stud/dud importance rating: 5

» NFC Approach: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

» Draft Watch: Biggest needs (2/17) | Busts/gems (2/24) | Schemes, themes (3/3) | Recent history (3/10) | Needs revisited (3/17) | Under-the-radar needs (3/26) | History in that spot (3/31) | Draft approach (4/7) | Decision-makers (4/14) | Dream scenario/Plan B (4/21)

Each week leading up to the NFL draft (April 22-24), the ESPN.com blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today’s topic: Draft approach.

Cleveland Browns

This year Cleveland's draft approach is a mystery. There's an entirely new front office led by team president Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert. The pair share many of the same philosophies but have never worked together -- particularly in the same draft room selecting players. Therefore, it's unknown whether the team will take a conservative or aggressive approach in two weeks. So far, the power pairing has made a lot of sense with its offseason moves. The Browns quickly got rid of two struggling quarterbacks and acquired veterans such as Sheldon Brown, Scott Fujita, Jake Delhomme, Benjamin Watson, Chris Gocong and Peyton Hillis to fill important roles. With 10 draft picks, it will be interesting to see what Holmgren and Heckert have in store for Cleveland.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are very underrated for their wheeling and dealing on draft day. Because of their conservative approach to free agency, the Steelers probably don't get enough credit for frequently moving up and down the draft board to get players they covet. Last year they traded out of the second round to get more mid-round picks. The Steelers traded up to get receiver Santonio Holmes (2006) and safety Troy Polamalu (2003). This year Pittsburgh has 10 picks with a veteran-laden team that's just one year removed from a Super Bowl title. So it's debatable whether 10 rookies can make Pittsburgh's 53-man roster out of training camp. In other words, keep a close eye on the Steelers and director of football operations Kevin Colbert.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals, led by owner Mike Brown, are pretty conservative when it comes to the draft, particularly when they have picks later in each round. The Bengals typically will not trade to move up. The team traditionally doesn't enjoy giving out huge contracts and is widely regarded as one of the toughest teams to negotiate big-money deals with. Last year's contract dispute with No. 6 overall pick Andre Smith was a perfect example. Smith missed all of training camp because both sides were unable to reach an agreement. Therefore, expect the Bengals to stay put with the No. 21 overall pick. They should be able to land a good prospect because this is a very deep draft.

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore is similar to Pittsburgh in its approach. The Ravens are prone to do anything -- which can include moving up, trading down or staying put. In the past two years alone, Baltimore has been a big mover and shaker. In 2008, the Ravens traded back and then up in the first round to land quarterback Joe Flacco at No. 18. Then Baltimore traded up three spots to select right tackle Michael Oher at No. 23 last April. Therefore, you can never put it past general manager Ozzie Newsome and the Ravens to be very aggressive. A major difference this year is the team doesn't have as many draft picks (five) to barter following the offseason trade with the Arizona Cardinals to land receiver Anquan Boldin.

Unless the Cleveland Browns got extremely lucky, chances are they would not have landed two starters in this year's draft in the fourth and fifth rounds.

For that reason, Cleveland made a very smart trade Friday with the Philadelphia Eagles to land veteran cornerback Sheldon Brown and outside linebacker Chris Gocong. Both players can be penciled in as starters in Cleveland's 3-4 defense.

The Browns shipped backup linebacker Alex Hall and a fourth- and fifth-round pick to the Eagles, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Cleveland has plenty of draft picks to spare, particularly in the middle rounds, and still has 10 selections in this month's draft.

Brown, who likely will get an extension with Cleveland, fills a major void at cornerback and moves the struggling Brandon McDonald out of the starting lineup. Gocong is a player Browns coach Eric Mangini liked coming out of college and has starting experience with Philadelphia, tying Gocong with current Browns general manager Tom Heckert.

The trade for Brown likely impacts Cleveland's draft plans in the first round.

The Browns are no longer desperate for a cornerback with the No. 7 overall pick, where Florida's Joe Haden was a potential target. Tennessee safety Eric Berry definitely makes more sense at this point if Cleveland has a choice between the two players.

Here are the most interesting stories Wednesday in the AFC North:

• Who's kicking next season for the Baltimore Ravens?

Morning take: If it's free agent Shayne Graham, I'm sure he'd love to beat his former team in the Cincinnati Bengals. But Billy Cundiff didn't do a bad job last year for Baltimore, either.

• The Cleveland Browns could have interest in trading for Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Chris Gocong.

Morning take: With general manager Tom Heckert now in Cleveland, it's certainly a possibility. Gocong, 26, also is a player Browns coach Eric Mangini liked coming out the draft several years ago.

• The Pittsburgh Steelers met with Indiana offensive tackle Rodger Saffold and Tennessee guard Jacques McClendon.

Morning take: An offensive tackle and guard might be clues from the Steelers.

• Bengals receiver Andre Caldwell took up boxing to help get in shape this offseason.

Morning take: It worked wonders for teammate Chad Ochocinco last year. Perhaps this helps Caldwell add to his game in his third season.