The wait is over.  No more mock drafts.  No more Jon Gruden Quarterback camps.  No more 40 times.  No more pro days.  No more hand measurements.

Draft night is here.

This Christmas morning for Browns’ fans, so I decided to write up my own Christmas list for the Browns’ braintrust…

DON’T trade down unless you get a steal.

DON’T trade down any further than #15.

DO pick a an impact player.

DON’T use your top pick on anyone that might shut down the Golden Corral buffet.  NO LINEMEN!  Last year’s offensive line was made up of two #1 picks (Joe Thomas and Alex Mack) as  well as two #2s (Mitchell Schwartz and Joe Bitonio).  That highly drafted group finished #22 in the NFL in rushing.  And on the other side of the ball…

DON’T draft a hole plugger.  No more Danny Sheltons.  No more Phil Taylors.

DO use your #1 pick on an athletic, impact player.  The NFL has is transitioning from a power, smashmouth league to an athletic, speed league.

DO try to trade Joe Thomas for a 1st round pick.  The Browns are likely to struggle for at least 2 years before being a contender. By then, #73 will be near the end of his career.  Let’s get value for him now to draft his replacement for the future.

DO spend a high pick on an offensive playmaker.  It’s a playmaker league.  Wanna get a true picture of the stockpile of playmakers in the Browns’ cupboard?  Go check out the jerseys hanging in the stores.   It’s either Joe Haden, or a clearance rack full of Johnny Manziel and Trent Richardson jerseys.

DON’T trade up or down for the #22 spot.

DON’T pick a quarterback in the #22 spot.  Rest in peace, Brady Quinn, Brandon Weeden, and  Johnny Manziel.

DON’T waste a high pick on a QB.  The #1 and #2 guys, Jared Goff and Connor Wentz, are gone.    No need to go to the B-list of quarterbacks.  Check out this recent article where I broke down the first round  QBs selected  since 1999.

Wanna pick Connor Cook or Paxton Lynch?  You are likely at best picking Kirk Cousins or Matt Schaub.

DO remember that you already drafted a QB this year–Robert Griffin III.  Let’s take a chance and  go all in on RGIII this year.  I need a break from the annual Cleveland  QB controversy carousel.

DO pick a tone-setting player to go with your tone-setting coach.

So Santa, here is my draft wish list when the Browns are on the clock with the #8 pick.

1.  Joey Bosa–recent mock drafts  show him sliding a bit.  Remember his last game?  He dominated Notre Dame before being ejected for targeting.  Maybe he could bring a J.J. Watt attitude to the demoralized Dawg Defense.

2.  Myles Jack, LB–his knee injury has him all over mock draft boards.  And the Browns’ luck would have him re-injuring his knee walking up to the draft podium.  But I love him because he is all over the field.  I have watched the AFC North ruled for the last two decades by players that fly to the ball:  Troy Polamalu, Jerome Harrison, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed.  We need a guy like that to set an attitude for the defensive side of the ball.

3.  DeForest Buckner. DE–I would love to see this 6’7″, 287-pound Oregon Duck coming off the edge to rush the QB.  A great pass rush makes average pass coverage look good.   On the other hand, great coverage will eventually break down if a quality NFL quarterback is given too much time.

4.  Ezekiel Elliott, RB–I am usually not a fan of drafting a running back this high, but Zeke is a special talent.  He is home run hitter.  He is a game-changer.  On top of this, he brings an attitude and identity to the offensive side of the ball.

5.  Jalen Ramsey, CB/S–This Seminole is arguably the most talented player in the draft.  But see #3 to see why I have him down this far on the list.  On the other hand, Reed and  Polamalu were safeties.  Maybe I should rethink this.

6.  Anyone that is not a quarterback.

In spite of the ghosts of NFL drafts past–Richardson,  Manziel, Weeden, Quinn, Justin Gilbert, William Green (I am getting nauseous)–Cleveland fans should look to the immortal words of that 1970s rocker, Rod Stewart…

‘Tonight’s the night….  It’s gonna be alright.”

Maybe Sashi Brown should get a quick peek at Rod’s draft board.

Follow the author on twitter:  @macaljancic