Since their return to the NFL in 1999, the Cleveland Browns have developed an unfortunate reputation for missing on draft picks. With the Browns on their bye week, and things not going well this season, might as well spend some time looking at where things have gone wrong recently.
There is a long list of missteps and draft picks gone wrong, which makes it a real challenge to narrow it down to a short list, but here are three of the biggest draft busts the Browns have had in the 21st century.
Justin
Gilbert – Cornerback, 2014
Selected eighth overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert was known for his elite athleticism, which raised significant expectations for his NFL career. Unfortunately, many of the reports that came out during his time in Cleveland suggested that he struggled with work ethic and had poor focus. He was called out publicly by coaches for his lack of discipline and is widely considered to be one of the biggest busts in Browns history.
Brady Quinn – Quarterback, 2007
Cleveland traded up to the 22nd pick in the 2007 NFL Draft to select Brady Quinn, who had a great college career at Notre Dame and was viewed as a potential franchise quarterback. Unfortunately, he turned out to be another one of their failed first-round quarterback selections. Quinn only ended up playing in 14 games with the Browns, throwing ten touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Johnny Manziel – Quarterback, 2014
In 2014, the Browns used their second first-round pick in the draft to select Quarterback Johnny Manziel. It was a controversial pick at the time – Manziel was a polarizing figure who brought a lot of baggage with him from his college career at Texas A&M. His time was short-lived, and he ended up with just eight starts during his two seasons in Cleveland. His overall lack of maturity and poor performances really added to the Browns’ reputation as a dysfunctional organization during the 21st century.
Let me know what you think in the comments – What are the worst Browns’ draft picks in the 21st century?
