2011 Browns Draft : The Year of Trading Down (Again) and Still No Superstars :
Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert ran this one back with a very familiar approach. Trade down, get more picks, try to build depth. The Browns started with the 6th overall pick and moved back to 21 in a deal with the Falcons (who moved up for Julio Jones) Cleveland ended up with five picks in the top 125, and while they filled some needs, they didn’t exactly land franchise-changers
1. Phil Taylor (21st overall, DT - Baylor)
Big boy in the middle. Taylor was solid early on, strong run stuffer, anchored the D-line for a few years. Injuries slowed him down fast, though. Played four seasons in Cleveland, started 42 games and then faded out. Not bad but not a guy you build around either. Just a decent piece
2. Jabaal Sheard (37th overall, DE - Pittsburgh)
One of the better picks from this class. Sheard had 8.5 sacks as a rookie and was a consistent pressure guy for four years. Didn’t get a second contract, but went on to win a Super Bowl with New England. Productive edge rusher, definitely a win for a second-rounder
3. Greg Little (59th overall, WR - North Carolina)
Frustrating as hell. The size, the athleticism it was all there. The hands, not so much. He led the team in receiving as a rookie but also led the league in drops. Inconsistent, unreliable, and never developed into the go-to guy we needed. Could’ve been something, but wasn’t
4. Jordan Cameron (102nd overall, TE - USC)
Former basketball player turned athletic tight end, and when he stayed healthy, dude was a matchup nightmare. Made the Pro Bowl in 2013 after a breakout season. Unfortunately concussions derailed his career. Still for a 4th-round pick, this was decent value
5. Owen Marecic (124th overall, FB - Stanford)
The rare fullback pick. Also the rare “played both ways in college” guy (offense and defense at Stanford). In the NFL he was a complete flop. Couldn’t stay healthy, wasn’t effective when he played, and was out of the league fast
6. Buster Skrine (137th overall, CB - Chattanooga)
Scrappy corner who stuck around longer than most thought. Was penalty-prone and got picked on early in his career, but he improved and eventually became a decent nickel guy. Played four years in Cleveland, then got paid by the Jets. For a 5th-round pick it was a solid pick
7. Jason Pinkston (150th overall, G - Pittsburgh)
Started as a rookie and played well before health issues ended his career early. Blood clots forced him to retire after just three seasons. Really unfortunate, because he was trending toward being a long-term starter
8. Eric Hagg (248th overall, S - Nebraska)
Late-round flyer who didn’t do much. Played sparingly for a couple seasons and was gone
Final Thoughts:
This draft actually looks better with Jordan Cameron added in. Sheard gave us edge pressure, Cameron was briefly a legit weapon at tight end, and Skrine became a decent contributor. Taylor and Pinkston were solid when healthy. Little and Marecic flopped, but there was more value here than it seemed at first glance. Still not a home run, but solid
2012 Browns Draft: Two First-Round Picks and Still No Quarterback :
This was supposed to be the draft. Two first-rounders. Tons of holes. Fans were hoping for bold moves that would finally get this franchise on track. Instead, we got a running back who couldn’t find a hole and a quarterback older than half the locker room. There were some solid pieces in the middle rounds, but this one’s remembered for how it started
1. Trent Richardson (3rd overall, RB - Alabama)
The hype train was out of control. Built like a tank, Alabama pedigree, highlight reels for days. But once he got to Cleveland it was like he forgot how to hit a hole. Lots of dancing, not much vision, and his longest run as a Brown was 32 yards. Traded after 17 games. Massive bust, brilliant trade
2. Brandon Weeden (22nd overall, QB - Oklahoma State)
He was 28 when we drafted him. TWENTY-EIGHT. Big arm, no poise, no pocket feel. His most famous moment as a Brown was getting trapped under the American flag during pregame. That about sums it up. Should’ve never been a first-rounder
3. Mitchell Schwartz (37th overall, OT - California)
An absolute rock. Started every game for the Browns, never missed a snap, and played at a high level. Went on to become an All-Pro in Kansas City. Easily one of the best offensive linemen we’ve drafted since 1999
4. John Hughes (87th overall, DT - Cincinnati)
Big, strong, serviceable. Rotational D-lineman who gave us a few good years as a run plugger. Not flashy, but filled a role. You could do worse in the third round
5. Travis Benjamin (100th overall, WR - Miami FL)
Speed demon. Dangerous return man and eventually led the team in receiving. Had a legit 1,000-yard season in 2015. One of the better value picks from this class
6. James-Michael Johnson (120th overall, LB - Nevada)
Started a few games, made some tackles, and then faded out. Fringe roster guy who didn’t move the needle
7. Ryan Miller (160th overall, G - Colorado)
Massive frame, but his career never got going. Didn’t see meaningful snaps and suffered a scary concussion in training camp that ended things early
8. Emmanuel Acho (204th overall, LB - Texas)
Traded to Philly before his rookie year even started. He’s now better known for hosting Speak for Yourself than anything he did on a football field
9. Billy Winn (205th overall, DT - Boise State)
Flashed some potential early. Started a few games, made some nice plays, and stuck around a few years. Solid late-round pick who gave us useful depth
10. Trevin Wade (245th overall, CB - Arizona)
Late-round corner who made the team and even saw some action his rookie year. Didn’t last long in Cleveland, but carved out a journeyman career bouncing around a few teams
11. Brad Smelley (247th overall, FB - Alabama)
Yup, we drafted a fullback. Played under his old college OC in Cleveland. Made the practice squad, got promoted late in the year, and saw a little bit of game action. Didn’t stick, but hey, he was Mr. Irrelevant for the Browns that year
Final Thoughts:
Schwartz and Benjamin saved this from being a total disaster. Winn, Hughes, and Wade gave you some decent depth. But Richardson and Weeden were brutal whiffs at the top,and that’s what defines this class. Cleveland needed stars. Instead, we got trades, flags, and Trent going down on first contact
2013 Browns Draft : A new regime, another first-round pass rusher, and one draft-day head-scratcher :
After another front office overhaul, the Browns entered the 2013 draft with a new GM (Mike Lombardi) and CEO (Joe Banner), no second-round pick, and a clear need for a quarterback. So naturally, they didn’t draft one. In fact, they only made five picks total, and only one after Round 4. Classic Browns
1. Barkevious Mingo (6th overall, OLB - LSU)
Mingo had all the tools, speed, length, athleticism, but never figured it out as a pass rusher. Had 5 sacks as a rookie and then just 2 more in his next three seasons. Played hard, but didn’t make an impact worthy of a top-10 pick
2. Leon McFadden (68th overall, CB - San Diego State)
Big need at corner. Big whiff. McFadden only started two games and was cut after one season. Another draft pick gone before you could learn his number
3. Jamoris Slaughter (175th overall, S - Notre Dame)
Coming off an Achilles injury, and it showed. Barely saw the field. Was cut before the season even started and never played an NFL snap
4. Armonty Bryant (217th overall, DE - East Central)
This was a classic boom-or-bust shot. Small school, monster production, off-field concerns. Had 8.5 sacks over a couple seasons and looked like a potential gem. But legal trouble and suspensions ended his Browns tenure early. Still probably the second-best player from this class, which says a lot
5. Garrett Gilkey (227th overall, G - Chadron State)
Small-school lineman with a good story, but not much else. Got a few spot starts, got blown up on national TV a couple times, and that was pretty much it
Final Thoughts:
This draft was just flat. Mingo didn’t live up to the hype, McFadden was gone immediately, and the rest were dart throws. Armonty Bryant had some juice, but off-field issues wrecked it. No QB, no second-rounder, and no difference-makers. It was like the Browns front office took a year off while everyone else got better
2014 Browns Draft : Two first-round picks again. Johnny Football. Justin Gilbert :
Two first-round picks. A corner and a quarterback. It should have been the foundation of something special. Instead this class became a masterclass in how to burn down a franchise in one weekend. Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel. That alone tells the story. But somehow, a few decent role players in the middle rounds make this class even more frustrating
1. Justin Gilbert (8th overall, CB - Oklahoma State)
On paper he seemed elite athlete, size-speed freak, ball skills, dangerous returner.
On the field he looked totally lost. Bad work ethic, poor instincts, and zero feel for the game. Gilbert never earned the trust of coaches and barely saw the field. He was traded after just two seasons and out of the league shortly after. Bust with a capital B
2. Johnny Manziel (22nd overall, QB - Texas A&M)
Complete disaster. Off the field he was partying more than prepping. On the field, he looked like a high schooler trying to freelance against NFL defenses. Never took the job seriously, and the team paid the price. One of the biggest busts in NFL history, and it set the franchise back years
3. Joel Bitonio (35th overall, G - Nevada)
One of the best guards in football and still anchoring the line a decade later. Four-time All-Pro, multiple Pro Bowls, and a fan favorite. The one shining light in a dark, dark class. Without Bitonio, this draft is unforgivable
4. Christian Kirksey (71st overall, LB - Iowa)
Undersized but instinctive, fast, and a great locker room guy. Spent six years in Cleveland, started 54 games, and was a tackling machine when healthy. Injuries took their toll, but he was a decent contributor and leader on defense
5. Terrance West (94th overall, RB - Towson)
Physical back who started fast but wore out his welcome just as fast. Had 673 yards and 4 TDs as a rookie but bounced around after clashing with coaches. One of those guys who flashes early and then fades just as quick
6. Pierre Desir (127th overall, CB - Lindenwood)
Long, rangy corner from a D-II school. Didn’t do much in Cleveland but developed into a decent starter elsewhere, especially in Indy. Not a total miss, but never made an impact with the Browns
Final Thoughts:
Manziel and Gilbert were absolute disasters. First-round picks that completely flopped, at premium positions. But Bitonio’s greatness saves this class from total infamy. Kirksey was a solid starter, and Desir and West at least made rosters. Still, this draft might be the most disappointing of them all because it could’ve been so much more
2015 Browns Draft : Another new front office, another double-dip in Round 1, and another draft we’ll wish we could forget :
New GM Ray Farmer. New hope. Same result. The Browns entered the 2015 draft with two first-round picks and a desperate need to fix pretty much everything. Instead, they came away with one of the most forgettable draft classes of the last decade. Some guys stuck around for a bit, but no one became a cornerstone. Just a whole lot of meh
1. Danny Shelton (12th overall, DT - Washington)
Big man with big potential. Shelton was a run-stuffer through and through, but never lived up to his draft slot. Solid rotational piece, started 45 games in three seasons, but never made a big impact as a pass rusher. Got traded to New England, won a ring, and quietly faded out of relevance. Not a total bust, but not a first-round difference-maker either
2. Cameron Erving (19th overall, OL - Florida State)
Drafted for his versatility and ended up not being great at any one spot. Played all over the line, but consistently struggled with technique and power. The experiment ended after two ugly seasons, and he was shipped to Kansas City. Another high pick wasted on a guy who just never figured it out
3. Nate Orchard (51st overall, OLB - Utah)
Led the nation in sacks his final college year, but that didn’t translate. Had a couple nice moments as a rotational edge, including 3 sacks his rookie year, but lacked the burst to be a real threat. Hung around the league for a bit, mostly as depth
4. Duke Johnson (77th overall, RB - Miami)
One of the few bright spots in this class. Smooth receiver out of the backfield and a reliable third-down back. Never a full-time starter, but he was a weapon in the passing game and a fan favorite. Finished with 2,170 total yards and 8 TDs over four seasons in Cleveland before being traded to Houston
5. Xavier Cooper (96th overall, DE - Washington State)
Flashed in preseason. Disappeared in real games. Never found a consistent role on the D-line and was out of Cleveland after two seasons. Another forgettable mid-round pick
6. Ibraheim Campbell (115th overall, S - Northwestern)
Physical safety who played downhill, but struggled in coverage. Started a few games, made some tackles, then bounced around the league
7. Vince Mayle (123rd overall, WR - Washington State)
Big-bodied receiver with no hands. Drops plagued him in camp, and he was cut before the regular season even started
8. Charles Gaines (189th overall, CB - Louisville)
Late-round corner who got a few snaps but never made much noise. Depth piece, practice squad type
9. Malcolm Johnson (195th overall, FB - Mississippi State)
A fullback in 2015 ! Got some run in a couple games but wasn’t long for the league. Made more impact as a trivia answer than on the field
10. Randall Telfer (198th overall, TE - USC)
Injuries kept him from ever really contributing. Was mostly a blocking tight end when he did play, but not someone who moved the needle at all
11. Hayes Pullard (219th overall, LB - USC)
Special teams guy. Brief stint on the field. Didn’t do much in Cleveland but had a longer-than-expected NFL career as a backup elsewhere
12. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (241st overall, CB - Oregon)
First-round talent before a devastating knee injury dropped him to the seventh. Never played a snap in the NFL. Worth the gamble, but the injury was just too much to come back from
Final Thoughts:
Duke Johnson was the best pick here, and he was a rotational back. That tells you all you need to know. Shelton and Erving both underwhelmed. The late-round flyers didn’t hit. No Pro Bowlers, no long-term starters, and once again, no quarterback. Just another wasted draft in a decade full of them
2016 Browns Draft : Sashi Brown enters the chat, the trade-down era begins, and we end up with 14 picks :
Enter Sashi Brown. Armed with a spreadsheet, a whiteboard full of future picks, and a mission to stockpile assets, the Browns made 14 picks in this draft. They traded out of the No. 2 spot (Carson Wentz) and kept sliding down, betting on volume over stars. On paper, it looked like a long-term rebuild. In reality it gave us a couple starters, a bunch of fringe guys, and one receiver who never caught a single pass for Cleveland
1. Corey Coleman (15th overall, WR - Baylor)
Elite speed. Big-time college production. Zero consistency. Coleman flashed as a rookie (33 catches, 3 TDs) but couldn’t stay healthy or catch the ball reliably. Worst of all, he broke his hand twice. He was also the guy who dropped a 4th down pass in Week 17 of 2017 that sealed 0-16. Traded for a bag of chips and out of the league soon after
2. Emmanuel Ogbah (32nd overall, DE - Oklahoma State)
One of the better picks in the class. Ogbah had 12.5 sacks over three seasons with the Browns, showed versatility as a DE/OLB, and was solid against the run. Eventually traded to Kansas City and won a Super Bowl. Would’ve been nice to keep him, but at least he was productive
3. Carl Nassib (65th overall, DE - Penn State)
Nassib brought a solid pass rush and even better hard knocks quotes. Had 5.5 sacks in two years before being waived in a surprise move. Had more success in Tampa. Another case of the Browns developing a guy and letting him walk too early
4. Shon Coleman (76th overall, OT - Auburn)
Had one year as a starter in 2017 at right tackle. He was okay, not great, not awful, but was traded a year later. Didn’t have much of a career after leaving Cleveland. Depth piece at best
5. Cody Kessler (93rd overall, QB - USC)
Kessler was a checkdown machine with zero pocket presence. Thrown into the fire during the 1-15 season and held his own, kind of. But he wasn’t a long-term answer by any stretch. Career backup
6. Joe Schobert (99th overall, LB - Wisconsin)
Schobert went from special teams guy to a Pro Bowl linebacker. Led the league in tackles in 2017, called the defense, and played smart, instinctive football. Eventually left in free agency, but he gave Cleveland four very productive seasons. Great value pick
7. Ricardo Louis (114th overall, WR - Auburn)
Louis got some run during the dark QB years but couldn’t catch a cold. Finished with 45 catches in two years before injuries wiped out his career
8. Derrick Kindred (129th overall, S - TCU)
Physical safety who brought the hammer on tackles. Started a handful of games, mostly as a box safety. Never quite made the leap to consistent starter, but a decent fourth-rounder
9. Seth DeValve (138th overall, TE - Princeton)
Smart, athletic tight end who had a few nice moments, especially in 2017 when he caught 33 passes. Never became a big part of the offense, but was serviceable in rotation
10. Jordan Payton (154th overall, WR - UCLA)
Sixth-round pick. One career catch. Gone after one year
11. Spencer Drango (168th overall, OL - Baylor)
Swing tackle/guard type who got some starts due to injuries. Struggled in pass pro, but gave them depth during some lean years
12. Rashard Higgins (172nd overall, WR - Colorado State)
Hollywood Higgins, took time to develop, but turned into a reliable third-down target and red zone option. Had great chemistry with Baker Mayfield and delivered some big plays during the 2020 playoff run. Easily one of the biggest wins from this class
13. Trey Caldwell (173rd overall, CB - Louisiana Monroe)
Practice squad guy. Never started a game for Cleveland
14. Scooby Wright III (250th overall, LB - Arizona)
Fan favorite with a great college nickname, but his body just didn’t hold up. Injuries robbed him of a chance to stick around
Final Thoughts:
Schobert, Higgins, Nassib, and Ogbah were all solid picks, some even very good. But Coleman at 15 was a disaster, and they passed on several franchise QBs (again). This class had depth, sure but no true stars. But compared to the previous few drafts, this one actually aged okay, if only they kept the good players around
2017 Browns Draft: Myles and still went 0-16 :
This was year two of the Sashi Brown rebuild. The Browns had three first-round picks, eleven picks total, and a war chest of future assets. They nailed the #1 overall pick, got Njoku late in the first round, but the rest was a whole lot of “meh” and one guy who literally forgot how to play quarterback
1. Myles Garrett (1st overall, DE - Texas A&M)
Myles is a top 3 edge rusher in the NFL. He’s racked up double-digit sacks nearly every season, draws double teams constantly, and impacts the game even when he’s not in the box score. A no-brainer pick who’s still anchoring this defense years later. Already in the Browns all-time conversation
2. Jabrill Peppers (25th overall, S - Michigan)
The Peppers pick was divisive. Elite athlete, but Michigan played him everywhere. His rookie year was rough, he lined up 30 yards off the ball half the time. Improved a ton in Year 2 before being traded to the Giants in the OBJ deal. Solid player, but maybe not quite worth a 1st round pick
3. David Njoku (29th overall, TE - Miami)
Another physical freak who took a while to develop. Early years were plagued by drops and inconsistency. But to his credit, Njoku stuck it out, grew into a complete tight end, and had a career year in 2023. Took longer than expected, but he’s now a core piece of the offense
4. DeShone Kizer (52nd overall, QB - Notre Dame)
Kizer got thrown into a messy situation and led the league in interceptions. Showed flashes, but also showed every bad habit you don’t want in a QB. Got traded after one season and never recovered
5. Larry Ogunjobi (65th overall, DT - Charlotte)
Ogunjobi was a Day 1 contributor, started for multiple seasons, and brought solid interior pressure. Didn’t become a star, but he was a decent third-round pick and remains a productive NFL player
6. Howard Wilson (126th overall, CB - Houston)
Promising prospect, but he never played a snap due to injuries. Heartbreaker of a story, broke his kneecap during rookie minicamp and just never got healthy again
7. Roderick Johnson (160th overall, OT - Florida State)
Project tackle with great size, but never developed. Got cut before playing a game and bounced around practice squads
8. Caleb Brantley (185th overall, DT - Florida)
Talented but came with red flags. Legal issues knocked him down draft boards, and while those were cleared, he never really made an impact. Spent one season in Cleveland and that was it
9. Zane Gonzalez (224th overall, K - Arizona State)
Legit leg talent, but nerves caught up to him in Cleveland. Missed some huge kicks in 2018, including the infamous meltdown in New Orleans, and was cut soon after. Found success elsewhere, but not here
10. Matt Dayes (252nd overall, RB - NC State)
Seventh-round back who played some special teams and got a few carries. That’s about it
Final Thoughts:
This class is remembered for one thing: Myles Garrett. That pick was gold. Njoku and Ogunjobi developed into solid players. Peppers was decent. But Kizer torpedoed the QB room, and the back half of the draft was mostly a bust
2018 Browns Draft: Baker, Denzel, and a New Era (Kinda) :
Fresh off an 0-16 season, the Browns had a new GM (John Dorsey), a mountain of picks, and a desperate need for a quarterback. They made some bold choices, some paid off, others didn’t. But for the first time in forever, the team finally looked competitive by the end of the year
1. Baker Mayfield (1st overall, QB - Oklahoma)
The pick that brought hope, and eventually heartburn. Baker’s rookie year was electric, he broke the rookie TD record, reignited the fanbase, and helped the Browns win their first game in over a year. 2020 was magical, with a playoff win in Pittsburgh. But the inconsistency, injuries, and drama wore thin. The Browns bailed two years later for Deshaun Watson
2. Denzel Ward (4th overall, CB - Ohio State)
Ward picked off Big Ben twice in his first game and never looked back. He’s been a Pro Bowler, a true CB1, and a key part of the defense when healthy. Injuries have slowed him down a bit, but he’s been worth the pick
3. Austin Corbett (33rd overall, OL - Nevada)
Corbett was supposed to be Joe Thomas heir. Instead, he couldn’t win a starting job and got traded to the Rams, where of course he became a Super Bowl-winning starter. Talent was there, but he gave us nothing
4. Nick Chubb (35th overall, RB - Georgia)
Chubb became the heart and soul of the team. Elite vision, balance, work ethic, and one of the most respected players in the league. When healthy, he was in the conversation for best pure runner in football. One of the best Browns picks of the last 25 years
5. Chad Thomas (67th overall, DE - Miami)
Thomas had size and athleticism but couldn’t crack the rotation or make an impact. Played a little in 2019 and was gone by 2020
6. Antonio Callaway (105th overall, WR - Florida)
All the talent, none of the discipline.
Flashed as a rookie (43 catches, 586 yards, 5 TDs), but off-the-field issues derailed everything. Suspensions, missed meetings, poor conditioning, it all added up fast. A wasted opportunity
7. Genard Avery (150th overall, DE - Memphis)
Avery made some splash plays as a rookie and looked promising. Then the coaching staff didn’t know how to use him. Traded to Philly, bounced around the league
8. Damion Ratley (175th overall, WR - Texas A&M)
Depth receiver who had a couple decent games but nothing lasting
9. Simeon Thomas (188th overall, DB - Louisiana)
Didn’t make the team. Played briefly for other squads but never stuck
Final Thoughts:
This draft will forever be tied to Baker, Ward and Chubb. One gave us a short burst of magic. Another became a beloved star. Ward was a strong hit. But Corbett, Thomas, and Callaway really bring the class down. Still, 3 long-term starters (2 of them excellent) makes this one of the better Browns drafts of the decade
2019 Browns Draft: The Year of the OBJ Trade :
The Browns didn’t have a first-round pick because they traded it (plus Jabrill Peppers and more) to the Giants for Odell Beckham Jr. and Olivier Vernon. On paper, it looked like the Browns were ready to contend. The result ended up being 6-10, Freddie Kitchens chaos, and a whole lot of “what could’ve been"
1. Greedy Williams (46th overall, CB - LSU)
This was considered a steal at the time. Greedy slid because of tackling concerns, but the athleticism and coverage ability were there. He started as a rookie and showed flashes, but injuries absolutely derailed his career. Missed all of 2020, never fully regained momentum, and quietly left in free agency
2. Sione Takitaki (80th overall, LB - BYU)
Developmental pick who turned into a really solid role player. Takitaki took a couple years to grow, but by 2022 he became a key piece, especially against the run. Smart, physical, team-first guy. You don’t build your defense around him, but every team needs guys like Takitaki
3. Sheldrick Redwine (119th overall, S - Miami)
Decent backup safety for a bit, had an INT in the 2020 playoff game vs Pittsburgh, but never developed into a full-time starter. Cut after two seasons
4. Mack Wilson (155th overall, LB - Alabama)
Started a lot as a rookie due to injuries and actually made some plays. But the more he played, the more his flaws showed. Missed tackles, and poor coverage instincts. Got traded to New England in 2022
5. Austin Seibert (170th overall, K - Oklahoma)
Looked fine as a rookie, then totally fell apart in Week 1 of 2020. Missed kicks and extra points, got cut the next day
6. Drew Forbes (189th overall, OL - SE Missouri St.)
Intriguing small-school lineman with versatility, but injuries and COVID opt-outs kept him from ever getting consistent playing time
7. Donnie Lewis Jr. (221st overall, CB - Tulane)
Never made the roster. Practice squad guy who didn’t stick
Final Thoughts:
The 2019 draft class had a couple contributors (Takitaki, Greedy for a minute), but no real difference-makers. Combine that with the OBJ trade falling flat and this class feels like a missed opportunity during a critical window. Not a total disaster, but far from great
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