If you’re a newer Browns fan or just getting into the history, you’ve probably heard people talk about "The Move" like it’s some myth from back in the day. But it was very real, it was devastating for the city, and it changed everything
Let’s rewind to the mid-90s. The Browns were struggling on the field. Bill Belichick (yeah, that Belichick) was the head coach. The roster had some talent, but they couldn’t get over the hump. Off the field it was a total mess. Art Modell, the team’s owner was in deep financial trouble. He privately owned old Cleveland Stadium and couldn’t afford to keep up with the growing costs. The city wasn’t giving him what he wanted, and he panicked
He ripped the Browns away from Cleveland in the middle of the 1995 season. No heads-up. No rumors. Just an announcement out of nowhere, he was moving the team to Baltimore
It was a gut punch. The city was furious. Fans protested, held rallies, even showed up at Modell’s office. Browns games felt like wakes. Everyone was grieving, and the team still had to finish the season like nothing happened
But here’s where it gets crazy. Cleveland fought so hard that the NFL kinda stepped in. And they did something they’ve never done before, or since
They let the team leave but they didn’t let the Browns leave
The name, the colors, the records, the entire identity of the Browns stayed in Cleveland. Modell got to take the actual players and staff to Baltimore, where they became the Ravens
But the Browns were officially “deactivated,” not relocated. It was like pressing pause on a franchise
Then finally in 1999, football came back to Cleveland. We got a new stadium, new owners, and the Browns were reactivated with all the history still in place
Except it wasn’t really the same. The talent was gone. The momentum was gone. And since that return, the Browns have been chasing stability ever since. One heartbreak after another
And speaking of heartbreak. Since 1999, this team has drafted a lot of players. 219 players (up until the upcoming 2025 draft) Some were busts, some were just unlucky, and a few were actually solid. But when you look at the big picture, it’s been rough
So I decided to go through every single draft pick the Browns have made since they came back, year by year. The hits, the misses, the "what were they thinking ?" moments, it's all in there. And at the end I'll even rank my top 20 worst picks
So if you're ready for the pain (and maybe a few laughs), continue reading as I'm about to break down EVERY pick since the 1999 class, a class that set the tone
The 1999 Browns Draft Class: A New Era and a Rough Start :
When the Browns came back into the NFL in 1999 we were all in, new front office, new coaching staff, fresh branding, and eleven draft picks to rebuild a franchise from scratch. On paper, this was the perfect shot to lay a strong foundation
In reality it was a harsh reminder that just because you’re back doesn’t mean you’re ready
1. Tim Couch (1st overall, QB - Kentucky)
Couch was the face of the franchise before he even took a snap. He put up monster numbers at Kentucky running Hal Mumme’s Air Raid offense and had all the tools, a quick release, decent mobility, and touch. But we threw him a hole. The Browns didn’t invest in an offensive line, didn’t have weapons around him, and played him way too early. He was sacked 56 times as a rookie and never really recovered
He had a few comeback wins and flashes of potential, but by the time the team started to improve, his body was done. Five years, a ton of punishment, and not much help. Bust ? Technically yeah but I’ll always say the organization failed him more than he failed us
2. Kevin Johnson (32nd overall, WR - Syracuse)
Came in and instantly became Couch’s safety blanket. Reliable hands, great route-runner, and could return punts. Johnson led the team in receiving three straight seasons and made several clutch plays in his time here, including a Hail Mary grab to beat the Saints in 1999
He wasn’t flashy, but he produced and gave us consistency at a time when that was rare. Lasted nearly a decade in the league. One of the best value picks Cleveland made during this stretch
3. Rahim Abdullah (45th overall, LB - Clemson)
Abdullah had the size and athleticism but never found a role on this defense. He was expected to help with the pass rush or cover tight ends, but neither panned out. Played in just 14 games over two seasons before heading to the CFL, where he actually had a decent run
This was one of those classic picks that looked good on draft day but never translated on the field
4. Daylon McCutcheon (62nd overall, DB - USC)
Maybe the most underrated player from this entire draft. Daylon became a full-time starter as a rookie and held down a corner spot for the next seven years. Smart, physical, and tough he wasn’t a lockdown guy, but he was dependable and rarely made mental mistakes
His career flew under the radar because the team was a mess, but he was a key piece in the secondary and later came back to coach our DBs. Solid pick who outperformed his draft slot
5. Marquis Smith (76th overall, DB - Cal)
No real impact. He played 3 seasons for the Browns. He had 12 solo tackles, 3 assists and 1 sack
6. Wali Rainer (124th overall, LB - Virginia)
This dude came in and immediately led the team in tackles his rookie year. He had great instincts, was always around the ball, and gave us solid production for a 4th-round pick. Played three seasons here before we traded him to Jacksonville. Not a long-term solution, but definitely a short-term win
7. Darrin Chiaverini (148th overall, WR - Colorado)
Showed a lot of promise early. 44 catches, 487 yards, and 4 TDs in his rookie season. He had chemistry with Couch and could make contested catches. Unfortunately, injuries and lack of development kept him from building on that. He bounced around a bit and eventually went into coaching, where he's had more success than as a player
8. Marcus Spriggs (174th overall, DT - Troy)
Depth piece on the D-line who played in a handful of games but never really cracked the rotation. Injuries held him back, and he was out of the league quickly
9. Kendall Ogle (187th overall, LB - Maryland)
Late-round flier who didn’t make the active roster. Hung around on the practice squad for a bit but never started a game in a Browns uniform
10. James Dearth (191st overall, TE - Tarleton State)
Didn’t make it with the Browns as a tight end, but reinvented himself as a long snapper and went on to have a decade-long career, mostly with the Jets. Not many people remember that he started in Cleveland, but I guess that counts for something
11. Madre Hill (207th overall, RB - Arkansas)
Hill had a big college career before tearing his ACL twice, and the injuries clearly caught up to him. Barely saw action in the NFL and was out of the league within a year. Too bad because pre-injury, the talent was there
Final Thoughts:
Looking back, this draft had all the pressure in the world. Eleven picks, including the #1 overall and a chance to build something fresh. We got a few role players (Johnson, McCutcheon, Rainer) and a couple quick flashes (Chiaverini, Dearth post-CLE), but missing on Couch set us back immediately. Combine that with several guys who never played a down. Not exactly the foundation we hoped for. The 1999 Browns came in with hype. This draft made sure that didn’t last long
The 2000 Browns Draft Class : More Picks, More Problems :
Coming off a rough 2-14 season, the Browns entered the 2000 draft still trying to find their identity. With another #1 overall pick and thirteen total selections, this was a chance to start filling in serious roster holes
Instead we left with one of the most forgettable draft classes of the era, and that’s saying something
1. Courtney Brown (1st overall, DE - Penn State)
Physically, he had it all, 6'4", 270, freakish speed, and dominated at Penn State. He was supposed to be the next elite pass rusher, but injuries crushed his career from the jump. Microfracture surgery, knee issues, foot problems, it was never-ending
He had a decent rookie season (4.5 sacks, 69 tackles), but after that just 12.5 total sacks the rest of his time in Cleveland. Spent more time on the injury report than the field. Could say a total bust, made worse by who went right after him: LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Urlacher, and John Abraham were all in that first round
2. Dennis Northcutt (32nd overall, WR - Arizona)
Northcutt had a super slow start, barely played as a rookie and couldn’t catch anything in year two, but he eventually became a solid slot receiver and dynamic punt returner. Led the league in punt return yards in 2002 and was a key part of the team that made the playoffs that year
He dropped the biggest pass of his life in that Wild Card game vs the Steelers (you know the one), but overall he wasn't a bad pick, especially for early Round 2. He just took a while to get going
3. Travis Prentice (63rd overall, RB - Miami OH)
He broke records in college, but it didn’t translate. Started a few games in 2000, scored five touchdowns, then faded fast. Traded to Minnesota the next year, bounced around, and was out of the league by 2003. Never averaged more than 3.5 yards per carry. Just didn’t have the burst or vision for the next level
4. JaJuan Dawson (79th overall, WR - Tulane)
Another wideout taken early, another disappointment. Played one full season in Cleveland, did almost nothing after that. Got picked up by Houston during their expansion season but didn’t last. One of those guys who looked good in camp but couldn’t separate in games
5. Lewis Sanders (95th overall, DB - Maryland)
Took a few years to develop, but he carved out a decent NFL career, just not really with us. Played four years in Cleveland mostly as a backup/special teamer, then became a starter in Houston and Jacksonville. For a 4th-round pick, he at least contributed
6. Aaron Shea (110th overall, TE - Michigan)
Fan favorite. Hard-nosed fullback/tight end hybrid who did the dirty work. Blocked, caught passes in the flat, took hits over the middle. Played six years in Cleveland and became one of those lunch-pail guys every team needs. Never flashy, but dependable. Probably the most likable player from this class
7. Anthony Malbrough (130th overall, DB - Texas Tech)
Played just one game for the Browns. Cut quickly and ended up playing several years in the CFL. Another swing and a miss in the secondary
8. Lamar Chapman (146th overall, DB - Kansas State)
Started a handful of games, mostly played on special teams. Only lasted two seasons in Cleveland. Pretty forgettable overall
9. Spergon Wynn (183rd overall, QB - Texas State)
We drafted this guy 33 picks before Tom Brady. Let that one sink in. Wynn had a big arm but looked completely overwhelmed in the NFL. Threw for just 167 yards and one pick in his Browns career. Later started a couple games for the Vikings, but it was clear early he didn’t have it. He’s basically a trivia answer now: “Name one of the six QBs taken before Brady”
10. Brad Bedell (206th overall, T - Colorado)
Started 4 games in Cleveland. Had a couple stints as a backup in Miami and Green Bay but never stuck. No real impact.
11. Manuia Savea (207th overall, G - Arizona)
Training camp body. Never made the roster. No regular season snaps. Wasted pick.
12. Eric Chandler (209th overall, DE - Jackson State)
Another late-rounder who didn’t see the field. No impact, no stats. Wasted pick.
13. Rashidi Barnes (225th overall, DB - Colorado)
Played in a few games his rookie year, mostly on special teams. Didn’t return in 2001. Lasted just one year in the NFL
Final Thoughts:
Thirteen picks. One No. 1 overall. And maybe two decent players came out of it. Northcutt and Shea. Everyone else either got hurt, flamed out, or was out of the league in a flash. And yeah we took Spergon Wynn instead of Tom Brady. The Browns kept inventing new ways to hurt it's fans
The 2001 Browns Draft Class: A Glimmer of Hope with another Familiar Finish
Heading into 2001, we were coming off a 3-13 season and still searching for an identity. Chris Palmer was out. Butch Davis was in. And with another top-3 pick, this draft was supposed to give us some cornerstones
It gave us a few decent contributors and at least one serious “what could’ve been” moment
1. Gerard Warren (3rd overall, DT - Florida)
“The Big Money” pick. Warren was a beast at Florida, strong, explosive, and could push the pocket. But as a pro he never lived up to that #3 pick hype. He flashed early with 5 sacks as a rookie, but was never consistent. Could stop the run one game, then vanish the next. Too many penalties, not enough dominance
To make it worse, we passed on guys like LaDainian Tomlinson, Richard Seymour, and Andre Carter. Warren stuck around for four seasons, but let’s be real, he was solid at best and never became the game changer we needed in the trenches
2. Quincy Morgan (33rd overall, WR - Kansas State)
Big, fast, and a legit deep threat when he could catch the ball. Quincy had some moments, 9 TDs in his first two seasons, and a wild one-handed TD vs the Saints, but he was never consistent. Too many drops, too little polish
He did help stretch the field and gave Tim Couch a real outside weapon for a bit, but he wasn’t a long-term WR1. We ended up trading him to Dallas for Antonio Bryant in 2004, and his career fizzled out soon after
3. James Jackson (65th overall, RB - Miami FL)
Started 10 games his rookie year, led the team in rushing, and showed some flashes. But the problem he was a volume back with no real explosiveness. Averaged just 3.3 yards a carry in Cleveland, and once William Green and Lee Suggs showed up, Jackson was quickly phased out
Another short-lived Brown who looked promising for a second and then disappeared
4. Anthony Henry (97th overall, DB - South Florida)
Now this was the gem of the class. Fourth-round pick who stepped in and led the NFL in interceptions as a rookie with 10. He was physical, smart, and had legit ball skills
He held down a starting role for four years here, then signed a big deal with Dallas and had a few solid seasons there too. Probably one of the most underrated Browns defenders of the early 2000s. Some would call him a steal
5. Jeremiah Pharms (134th overall, LB - Washington)
Never played a snap. Was arrested shortly after the draft for his role in a robbery and shooting before the draft, something the team clearly didn’t vet properly. Spent time in prison and bounced around the arena leagues after. Atotal embarrassment in hindsight
6. Michael Jameson (165th overall, DB - Texas A&M)
Depth piece at safety. Mostly played special teams and as a backup, sticking around the roster longer than expected. He wasn’t a difference-maker, but for a 6th-round pick, getting a few years of serviceable play isn’t the worst outcome
7. Paul Zukauskas (203rd overall, G - Boston College)
Another rotational guy who gave us a few starts on the O-line between 2002–2004. Solid size, limited athleticism. He did his job when called upon but was never a long-term solution. Not a bust, but not much more than a depth guy
8. Andre King (224th overall, WR - Miami FL)
Made the team and played four seasons in Cleveland, mostly on special teams and as a WR5. He was reliable enough to stick around, but never had more than 15 catches in a season. Still for a 7th-rounder, not bad value
Final Thoughts:
This class had some potential. Anthony Henry was a home run. Gerard Warren and Quincy Morgan had flashes, and a couple guys hung around as role players. But once again, we failed to come away with any true franchise players
The 2002 Browns Draft Class: Butch’s Bunch Shows Life
After years of pain, something finally clicked in 2002. The Browns went 9-7 and made the playoffs, yeah we actually made the playoffs. And a good chunk of that roster came from this draft class
This wasn’t a home run draft, but it had solid value across the board. Some contributors, a few misses, and at least one guy who became a staple on defense
1. William Green (16th overall, RB - Boston College)
This one stinks because it should’ve worked. Green had everything you wanted. Size, power, college production. And he started hot. Over 880 yards as a rookie, including that legendary “Run, William, Run!” 64-yarder to seal the playoff berth vs Atlanta in Week 17
But off-field problems derailed everything. Substance abuse issues, a suspension, then got stabbed by his fiancée during the season. By 2005 he was out of the league. One of the biggest “what ifs” in Browns draft history. He flashed but just couldn’t keep it together
2. Andre' Davis (47th overall, WR - Virginia Tech)
Speed demon. He was never a WR1, but he stretched the field and made some explosive plays, 13 TDs in his three years, including a 99-yarder. He didn’t have great hands and wasn’t super polished, but for a mid-2nd-rounder, he gave us solid production before bouncing to New England, Buffalo and Houston
He also returned kicks, so he brought some juice to special teams to.Solid pick overall
3. Melvin Fowler (76th overall, C - Maryland)
Expected to anchor the O-line, but never really claimed the starting center job. He ended up being traded to the Vikings in 2004. Had a longer career with the Bills, but didn’t move the needle much in Cleveland. One of those “meh” picks, he wasn't a total bust, just never did anything here
4. Kevin Bentley (101st overall, LB - Northwestern)
Undersized but active. Bentley saw the field a lot as a rookie, played special teams, and gave us three decent years before moving on to Seattle. He wasn’t flashy, but he hustled. For a 4th-rounder, he did his job
5. Ben Taylor (111th overall, LB - Virginia Tech)
Basically a clone of Bentley. Another high-motor linebacker who started some games, racked up tackles, but didn’t make a ton of impact plays. Still two usable LBs back-to-back in the 4th round. That’s not bad value
6. Darnell Sanders (122nd overall, TE - Ohio State)
Big body, red-zone type, but never developed. Only had 18 catches in two years and didn’t block well enough to stick. Classic “local guy who didn’t pan out.” Ended up bouncing to Atlanta and then out of the league
7. Andra Davis (141st overall, LB - Florida)
Now this was the steal of the class. Fifth-rounder who became the heart of the defense. Started 83 games for the Browns over seven seasons, led the team in tackles multiple times, and was as dependable as they come
He wasn’t a superstar, but he was tough, smart, and consistent. Total leader. Absolute win in Round 5. Maybe one of the best Day 3 picks we’ve made since 1999
8. Joaquin Gonzalez (222nd overall, T - Miami FL)
Late-round flier who made the roster and even started a few games. Not the most athletic tackle, but held his own at times. Didn’t last long, but for a 7th-round pick you will take that
Final Thoughts:
For once this draft actually helped the Browns win games. Andra Davis was a gem, William Green had a short but memorable impact, and guys like Davis, Bentley, and Taylor contributed during that 2002 playoff push
We still managed to mess it all up long-term, but for that one season, this draft class helped the fan base believe again even if just for a moment
2003 Browns Draft Class: Faine and Not Much Else
Coming off a playoff appearance in 2002, hope was in the air. The Browns had a young core, Butch Davis had full control, and the front office had one job: build on the momentum. Instead, this draft class flopped hard, only one player stuck around for a meaningful stretch, and the rest were footnotes at best
1. Jeff Faine (21st overall, C - Notre Dame)
The Browns went offensive line early, grabbing Faine as the supposed long-term anchor at center. He was technically sound and smart, but undersized and often overpowered by bigger interior linemen
He started right away and wasn’t bad, but never reached a Pro Bowl level. Played three years in Cleveland before getting traded to New Orleans. He was solid, but at pick 21 you need more than just “solid” especially when guys like Nnamdi Asomugha, Anquan Boldin, and Osi Umenyiora went later in the draft
2. Chaun Thompson (52nd overall, LB - West Texas A&M)
This one was a reach the moment it happened. A small-school prospect with freakish athleticism but raw as hell. Butch Davis loved his measurables, and the Browns hoped to mold him into a star
Never happened. He played all over the place. Inside, outside, special teams, but never found a true role. Gritty guy, hung around for a few years, but never became more than a rotational piece. You don’t want your second-rounder being a core special teamer
3. Chris Crocker (84th overall, DB - Marshall)
Here’s the best pick of the draft. Crocker was versatile, tough, and smart. He played safety and nickel, and gave us three solid seasons before moving on. He ended up having a long NFL career with stops in Atlanta and Cincinnati. Good tackler, decent in coverage, just not flashy, but still a good day two pick
4. Lee Suggs (115th overall, RB - Virginia Tech)
Man, what could’ve been. Suggs had all the talent, powerful, great vision, and produced whenever he got the chance. In 2003, he torched the Bengals for 186 yards in Week 17. He had legit RB1 potential
But his knees were made of glass. Injuries wrecked him. He missed huge chunks of every season and never stayed healthy enough to earn the top job. He’s the classic Browns “what if” flashes of greatness but never built to last
5. Ryan Pontbriand (142nd overall, C/LS - Rice)
Yes, we drafted a long snapper in the 5th round. Yes, he was actually really good at it. Pontbriand made two Pro Bowls and held down the job in Cleveland for almost a decade
Say what you want about drafting a long snapper, at least we hit on this one. Might have been the most stable position on the team during the 2000s, which is both funny and sad
6. Michael Lehan (152nd overall, DB - Minnesota)
Depth corner who played a little bit in Cleveland before carving out more time in Miami. He had size, but didn’t stand out in coverage and never cracked the starting lineup consistently. Nothing special. Standard late-round DB that didn’t move the needle
7. Antonio Garay (194th overall, DT - Boston College)
Big body with some upside, but he didn’t start a game for the Browns. He eventually ended up in San Diego after Chicago a few years later and had a decent run with the Chargers. But for Cleveland he was basically a ghost pick
Final Thoughts:
Outside of Crocker and Pontbriand, this class didn’t do much. Faine was fine, Suggs was exciting but cursed, and Chaun Thompson was a project who never really worked out
This draft seems like the front office tried to outsmart everyone, picking raw athletes, a long snapper in the 5th, and hoping for upside. Instead, we got mediocrity. And after that brief 2002 high the Browns slid right back into the basement
2004 Browns Draft Class: A Motorcycle, a Safety, and a Future Browns Opponent
After the team faceplanted in 2003, Butch Davis clearly came into this draft still clinging to power. He had his eyes on explosive playmakers and high-upside talent. Instead, we got a top pick who snapped his leg on a motorcycle, a solid safety who stuck around, and a future backup QB we’d play against down the road
1. Kellen Winslow Jr. (6th overall, TE - Miami FL)
This pick had “superstar” written all over it. Winslow was a freak athlete, had the bloodlines (his dad is a Hall of Famer), and was supposed to be the centerpiece of the offense. He could block, catch, and talk trash with the best of them
But then the Browns happened. He broke his leg two games into his rookie year, then tore his ACL in a motorcycle crash in year two, from a non-football injury that nearly ended his career. He rebounded in 2007 with an 82-catch, 1,106-yard Pro Bowl season, but injuries and attitude issues seemed to always followed
He was talented, no doubt. But considering the pick cost us a trade-up and he only gave us one full season of elite production, this one probably still stings for those involved
2. Sean Jones (59th overall, DB - Georgia)
Jones missed his entire rookie season with an injury, but once he got healthy, he became a key piece of our secondary. Physical safety, always around the ball, and one of the few Browns defenders who could actually cover and hit.
From 2006 to 2008, he was one of our most consistent players. Picked off 14 passes in that stretch and brought some much-needed stability on the back end. Not a star, but a solid second-round hit
3. Luke McCown (106th overall, QB - Louisiana Tech)
Luke was thrown into the fire as a rookie, and it went about as well as you’d expect for a Browns mid-round QB. He showed some flashes late in the 2004 season, including a near-comeback vs the Chargers, but the talent gap was obvious
He got traded to Tampa the next year and bounced around the league as a backup. Ironically, he had a longer career than most Browns starters from this era. You know it’s bad when a 4th-rounder ends up more successful after leaving Cleveland
4. Amon Gordon (161st overall, DT - Stanford)
A versatile d-lineman who played inside and outside, but he never developed into more than depth. Played just a few games for Cleveland before moving on. He did carve out a journeyman career, but whilst with the Browns he didn't make much impact
5. Kirk Chambers (176th overall, T - Stanford)
Another Stanford guy. Another player who didn’t do much in Cleveland. He hung around on practice squads and had a few starts in Buffalo, but nothing memorable in a Browns uniform
6. Adimchinobe Echemandu (208th overall, RB - Cal)
A brilliant name but that’s about it. Bounced between the practice squad and IR. He had a few preseason flashes but never got a real shot in the regular season
Final Thoughts:
This class could’ve been something if Winslow had stayed healthy. Sean Jones was a quality starter, and Winslow gave us one elite season, but that’s pretty much it. McCown was a classic “maybe he’ll pan out” QB pick, and the rest faded fast
Too many "what-ifs" from this group. Winslow’s motorcycle crash is still one of the most Browns moments of all time. We traded up to take a tight end at No. 6 and ended up with one Pro Bowl season and a lawsuit
2005 Browns Draft Class: Braylon Edwards, another running back that didn’t last, and Josh Cribbs :
Coming off a 4-12 season, the Browns cleaned house again. New GM, new coach, and a fresh start or so people thought. This draft had some serious buzz, a superstar wide receiver, a hometown QB, and a bunch of guys who looked good on paper. But as usual, the promise didn’t quite match the payoff
1. Braylon Edwards (3rd overall, WR - Michigan)
If you’re making a list of the most frustrating Browns players of the 2000s, Braylon’s gotta be near the top. The talent was unreal, big, fast, athletic, highlight-reel catches. He had that dawg in him but he also had the drops
After a torn ACL cut his rookie year short, he exploded in 2007 with 1,289 yards and 16 TDs, he looked like a superstar in the making. But then the drops got worse, the attitude went sideways, and by 2009 he was traded to the Jets after sucker-punching a friend of LeBron’s. He gave Cleveland one elite season, but overall he left fans wanting more
2. Brodney Pool (34th overall, DB - Oklahoma)
Pool was a solid safety who made plays on the back end and laid the wood when needed. Started a good chunk of games between 2006–2009, finishing with 13 career picks and a handful of big moments
Unfortunately, concussions ended his time in Cleveland early. He was reliable when healthy, but never quite turned into the game-changer the front office would've hoped for at the top of the second round
3. Charlie Frye (67th overall, QB - Akron)
The hometown kid. Drafted out of Akron, Frye had every Browns fan hoping for a local hero to turn this thing around. He even started games as a rookie and won over fans with his toughness and grit
But talent-wise he was never it. His mechanics were shaky, he held the ball too long, and the offense always looked stuck in mud. The Browns actually named him the Week 1 starter in 2007, then traded him two days later. That about sums up the chaos of that era
4. Antonio Perkins (103rd overall, DB - Oklahoma)
A return specialist in college with seven career punt return TDs, but none of that translated to the NFL. He never started a game for the Browns in the regular season. A complete waste
5. David McMillan (139th overall, DE - Kansas)
One of those guys who looked promising as a rotational edge rusher but never made much of an impact. Barely saw the field
6. Nick Speegle (176th overall, LB - New Mexico)
Speegle made the team as a rookie and played mostly on special teams. Known for being a high-effort, high-motor guy, classic try-hard linebacker, but didn’t stick around long
7. Andrew Hoffman (203rd overall, DT - Virginia)
Depth pick on the interior line. Appears he never made the active roster. Another classic late-round pick that went nowhere
8. Jon Dunn (224th overall, OT - Virginia Tech)
Dunn was a massive human being, 6'7", over 320 pounds, and came in as a developmental tackle with long-term upside. But like a lot of late-round O-linemen from this era, he never really made an impact. He spent some time on the practice squad and was mostly a camp body before quietly fading out of the league. Another late-round swing that didn’t connect
Final Thoughts:
Braylon gave us one big year, Brodney was solid, and the rest were depth at best. Charlie Frye became more of a trivia question than a franchise QB. The 2005 class had potential but lacked longevity. Still, at least it wasn’t a total zero like some other years
2006 Browns Draft Class: Kamerion Wimbley, D’Qwell Jackson, and a couple of solid hits. Let’s see if Phil Savage actually got one right :
After years of swinging and missing, Phil Savage put together a draft that gave us some real contributors. Was it perfect, Nope, but compared to what Browns fans were used to, this must have felt like a win. There were some solid starters, a few fun “what could’ve been” guys, and a fullback who became a fan favorite
1. Kamerion Wimbley (13th overall, DE - Florida State)
Wimbley came in with high expectations as an athletic edge crusher, and he actually delivered early. Racked up 11 sacks as a rookie and looked like a cornerstone on defense
But that turned out to be his peak. Teams adjusted to him, and he never developed enough pass rush moves to stay dominant. He was consistent just never elite. Traded to the Raiders in 2010 after four seasons in Cleveland. Not a bust, just a little disappointing after such a hot start
2. D’Qwell Jackson (34th overall, LB - Maryland)
Finally, a second-round pick we hit on. D’Qwell was the heart of the Browns defense for years. Smart, instinctive, and a tackling machine. He led the league in tackles in 2008 and 2011 (after missing all of 2010 due to injury)
One of the most respected leaders in the locker room. Played eight strong seasons in Cleveland before finishing up in Indy. Solid draft pick, great career
3. Travis Wilson (78th overall, WR - Oklahoma)
Looked the part coming out of college, but the production never followed. He caught just two passes in his NFL career, both as a rookie. Didn’t stick around long and faded into nothing
4. Leon Williams (110th overall, LB - Miami FL)
Decent depth linebacker who carved out a role on special teams and as a rotational guy. Had a solid 2007 season with 90 tackles and 4 sacks, but couldn’t sustain it. He hung around the league a few more years as a backup
5. Isaac Sowells (112th overall, T - Indiana)
Sowells had size and potential, but never developed. Only appeared in a handful of games over three seasons. Another classic Browns mid-round O-lineman pick that didn’t pan out
6. Jerome Harrison (145th overall, RB - Washington State)
This dude was electric in flashes. In 2009, he exploded for 286 rushing yards in a single game, the third-most in NFL history at the time. That came out of nowhere and gave fans hope he could be the guy moving forward
Sadly, injuries and inconsistency held him back, and he never matched that production again. Later he had a scary brain tumor that ended his career early
7. DeMario Minter (152nd overall, DB - Georgia)
Tore his ACL in training camp as a rookie and never played a snap for the Browns. Just bad luck. Was never able to bounce back and stick on a roster
8. Lawrence Vickers (180th overall, FB - Colorado)
Fan. Favorite. Vickers was a throwback fullback who loved to block, loved contact, and had a little swag to him too. He cleared paths for Jamal Lewis during his 1,300-yard season and gave fans some personality during some dark years
He wasn’t flashy, but he did his job and did it well. You don’t really see fullbacks like him anymore
9. Babatunde Oshinowo (181st overall, DT - Stanford)
He was viewed as a high-IQ player with upside, but never made an impact. Practice squad guy who didn’t stick around long
10. Justin Hamilton (222nd overall, DT - Alabama)
Late-round flyer who converted from safety to linebacker to D-line. Never really found a fit in the NFL. Another name that came and went quietly
Final Thoughts:
This class wasn’t perfect, but compared to most Browns drafts in the 2000s, it looks pretty solid. D’Qwell was a stud. Wimbley had moments. Vickers was a bruiser. And Harrison gave fans one of the most fun individual games in franchise history
A few flops in the middle rounds (what else is new), but this group actually helped the team, which is more than can be said for most
2007 Browns Draft Class: Joe Thomas, Brady Quinn, and the “double dip” QB strategy. Time to relive one of the strangest and most memorable first rounds ever :
This class is remembered for one thing: Joe freaking Thomas. That alone makes it one of the best in franchise history. But it also gave us the classic Browns move of trading back into the first round for a QB that didn’t work out. The rest well you’ll see
1. Joe Thomas (3rd overall, T - Wisconsin)
Just greatness.
Joe skipped the draft to go fishing, then came in and started 10,363 consecutive snaps at left tackle. 6-time All-Pro. 10-time Pro Bowler. First-ballot Hall of Famer. Best offensive lineman in franchise history and arguably the best Brown since the team came back
Elite from day one, professional through every awful QB, coach, and front office. A literal bright spot in decades of darkness.
2. Brady Quinn (22nd overall, QB - Notre Dame)
The Browns traded a future 1st to move back into the first round for a guy many thought could be “the one.” Brady looked the part, good size, smart, strong arm, but it never clicked
By the time he got his shot, the coaching staff didn’t trust him, the offense was a mess, and he never recovered. Finished 3-9 as a starter, completed under 53% of his passes. One of many failed QB bets during this era
3. Eric Wright (53rd overall, DB - UNLV)
Solid corner who played four seasons in Cleveland. Started a bunch of games and showed flashes of being a long-term starter. He had some ball skills and wasn’t afraid to tackle, but consistency was an issue
He stuck in the league for a while, which already makes him better than most Browns picks from this time
4. Brandon McDonald (140th overall, DB - Memphis)
For a 5th-rounder, he wasn’t bad. He actually led the team in interceptions in 2008 and started a good chunk of games across a couple seasons. But like Wright, inconsistency and big-play busts caught up to him. He was out of Cleveland by 2010. Still for where he was picked, he brought some value
5. Melila Purcell (200th overall, DE - Hawaii)
Practice squad guy who never played a snap. A classic late-round Browns pick who got drafted, then never seen again
6. Chase Pittman (213th overall, DE - LSU)
Same story here. Never cracked the active roster. Fringe guy with a good college resume, but didn’t translate to the NFL
7. Syndric Steptoe (234th overall, WR - Arizona)
Got some run as a returner and slot WR in 2008, but wasn’t explosive enough to stick. Injuries ended his career pretty quickly
Final Thoughts:
Joe Thomas carried this class into greatness by himself. Quinn was a big swing that missed, but Eric Wright and McDonald gave us some real NFL snaps. The rest fizzled out fast. But when you draft a Hall of Famer in round one, it’s hard to complain too much
2008 Browns Draft Class: A draft without a first-rounder, and the return of Phil Savage's trade addiction :
This was a classic Phil Savage draft where he traded away the top picks, including our 1st for Brady Quinn the year before, and our 2nd and 3rd for names like Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers. That left the Browns with just five picks starting in the fourth round. Not ideal
1. Beau Bell (104th overall, LB - UNLV)
The Browns thought they were getting a hard-hitting linebacker who could develop into a starter. Instead, Beau barely saw the field. He played in only a handful of games, mostly on special teams, and was gone after a year
2. Martin Rucker (111th overall, TE - Missouri)
Rucker had a strong college career and looked like a potential mismatch weapon at tight end. But he never found his footing in Cleveland. Injuries didn’t help, and he ended up buried behind other tight ends on the depth chart. Finished his Browns career with 2 catches. That's rough
3. Ahtyba Rubin (190th overall, DT - Iowa State)
Here’s the steal of the class. Rubin was a sixth-round pick who ended up being a rock in the middle of the defensive line for several years. He played 100 games in a Browns uniform, started 75, and was one of the few consistent run-stoppers we had during a rough era. He was definitely an underrated fan favorite. Big dude, big heart. An absolute win for that pick slot
4. Paul Hubbard (191st overall, WR - Wisconsin)
Tall, athletic wideout who never translated to the NFL level. Never played a regular season snap for the Browns
5. Alex Hall (231st overall, DE - St. Augustine's College)
You don’t expect much from a seventh-rounder out of a D-II school, but Hall gave us something. He had a brief moment in 2009 where he showed flashes as a pass rusher, even recorded a couple sacks early that season He didn’t stick around long, infact he was out of the league within three years
Final Thoughts:
This class had one hit, Ahtyba Rubin, and four guys who did very little. Rubin’s longevity makes this group somewhat respectable, but not having a single pick in the top 100 really limited what we could do
2009 Browns Draft: The draft of 1,000 trades and a whole lot of "who" :
This was the draft where new head coach Eric Mangini decided to wheel and deal like he was playing Madden on rookie mode. The Browns started with the 5th overall pick and traded down multiple times before finally landing at 21. So instead of a potential superstar, we picked a center. To be fair it turned out to be a damn good center
1. Alex Mack (21st overall, C - California)
Absolute anchor. Smart, tough, dependable. Mack started every game for the Browns for six straight seasons, made 3 Pro Bowls, and was the heart of the O-line during some brutal years. He eventually left in free agency and had a great run in Atlanta too. One of the best picks we’ve made since coming back in 1999
2. Brian Robiskie (36th overall, WR - Ohio State)
Everyone wanted this to work. Local kid, coach’s son, solid route runner. But Robiskie just never had that extra gear. He struggled to separate and didn’t make many plays
Finished his Browns career with just 3 TDs in two and a half seasons. One of those picks where the idea made more sense than the production
3. Mohamed Massaquoi (50th overall, WR - Georgia)
Massaquoi actually showed flashes. He led the team in receiving as a rookie and had a couple decent games. But consistency was always an issue, and a scary helmet-to-helmet hit from James Harrison in 2010 seemed to derail his development. Solid for abit, but didn’t really turn into the WR1 we needed
4. David Veikune (52nd overall, LB - Hawaii)
Complete miss. The Browns drafted him to convert from DE to linebacker and it just never clicked. He didn’t record a single stat in his rookie season and was cut after one year. Classic case of trying to fit a guy into a system
5. Kaluka Maiava (104th overall, LB - USC)
Played mostly on special teams, but he did get a few starts later on. He was a depth guy, and for a 4th-rounder you could do worse. Left in free agency after a few seasons and didn’t make much of an impact elsewhere
6. Don Carey (177th overall, DB - Norfolk State)
Didn’t even make it out of training camp in Cleveland, was cut before the season. Ended up having a decent career elsewhere though, mostly in Detroit
7. Coye Francies (191st overall, DB - San Jose State)
Had some preseason hype, but didn’t pan out. The most memorable moment of his Browns tenure was throwing ice at teammates during a locker room fight
8. James Davis (195th overall, RB - Clemson)
Looked promising early, had a great college resume and solid preseason tape. But injuries and depth chart battles kept him on the sidelines. By year two, he was gone
Final Thoughts:
Alex Mack carried this class. Without him, it’s another classic Mangini disaster. The double-dip at wide receiver didn’t work. Veikune was a bust. The rest were mostly footnotes. But Mack was an all-timer pick
2010 Browns Draft : Colt McCoy enters the chat :
Tom Heckert took over as GM this year, and honestly, this class started out strong. We got one of the best corners in franchise history and a safety who could lay the wood. But like most Browns drafts, the deeper we go, the more it falls apart
1. Joe Haden (7th overall, CB - Florida)
Haden was one of the most talented and consistent players we had during the 2010s. Great instincts, smooth coverage, and a legit playmaker when healthy. Made two Pro Bowls in Cleveland before moving on to Pittsburgh (pain). Still one of the better first-round picks of the modern Browns era
2. T.J. Ward (38th overall, S - Oregon)
Hard-hitting tone-setter. Ward wasn’t the best in coverage, but he brought attitude and laid the wood. Made a Pro Bowl in 2013, then left for Denver and helped them win a Super Bowl. Good player, good value, just wish we kept him longer
3. Montario Hardesty (59th overall, RB - Tennessee)
This one hurt. He was Talented but the guy’s knees were made of glass. Injuries robbed him of any real chance to contribute consistently. He flashed at times, but he just couldn’t stay on the field. Classic “what could’ve been” pick
4. Colt McCoy (85th overall, QB - Texas)
Everyone remembers Colt. He was tough as hell, took some nasty hits, and even led a few gritty wins. But he was never the long-term answer. Still, for a third-rounder, he gave us some moments
5. Shawn Lauvao (92nd overall, G - Arizona State)
Solid rotational guy who eventually became a starter. Not flashy, but he gave the Browns four years of serviceable play on the line before heading to Washington. Decent pick for where he was taken
6. Larry Asante (160th overall, S - Nebraska)
Didn’t make much of a dent in Cleveland. Spent more time on other rosters, mostly Tampa Bay. Depth piece that didn’t stick
7. Carlton Mitchell (177th overall, WR - South Florida)
All the tools, none of the production. Big, fast, and raw, but he never developed. One of those upside picks that never turned into anything
8. Clifton Geathers (186th overall, DE - South Carolina)
Didn’t make the team. Big body, bounced around the league a bit, but didn’t play a snap for the Browns
Final Thoughts:
Joe Haden and T.J. Ward gave this class real value. Colt gave us some fun Sunday memories, and Lauvao was serviceable. But Hardesty’s knees, the late-round whiffs, and a missed opportunity to find more impact players leave this draft feeling like a missed opportunity. Not a disaster, but not a game-changer either
Join our mailing list and we'll keep you posted on everything the land has to offer!
