Ohio State running back and Akron native Chris "Beanie" Wells and Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry will visit the Browns next week, their agents said.

Both are players the Browns might consider taking with their No. 5 overall pick in the April 25 draft, although Curry could be gone by then.

"Of course Beanie's excited," said agent Adam Heller. "It would be a dream come true for him to play for his hometown team."

Wells also will visit the Seahawks and Jets next week, and already has visited Arizona and San Diego. A powerful, punishing runner at 6-1, 235, Wells could be the back the Browns are looking for to replace Jamal Lewis, who turns 30 in August.

At the NFL Combine, he didn't run the 40 as fast as he hoped - 4.59 - but coaches and scouts said that's about what was expected for his size. It also was comparable to another back the Browns are hosting next week, Georgia's Knowshon Moreno.

"What the 40 tells me with running backs is go check the tape again," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said at the combine. "With Beanie Wells, there's explosion. He had one of the best, if not the best broad jumps. He had a good vertical jump. He has lower body explosion, but he isn't going to run away from a corner that runs a 4.3. What he will do is run over that corner, hopefully, and stay healthy because that's his biggest issue."

Curry's visit to Cleveland follows a private workout he had a week ago with Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

"Aaron said it went really well," said agent Andy Ross.

Some experts predict Curry - projected to play inside or outside in a 3-4 scheme - could go No. 1 overall to the Lions. Others think he won't get past the Chiefs at No. 3.

Curry and Wells join other big-name prospects who will visit the Browns next week, including Texas defensive end/linebacker Brian Orakpo, Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith, USC linebackers Clay Matthews III and Rey Maualuga, and Missouri receiver Jeremy Maclin.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670