clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

The Cleveland Browns are great at drafting horribly

The Browns have a long history of drafting poorly, passing on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in 2004.

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles just gave the Cleveland Browns a slew of draft picks for the second-overall pick in the 2016 draft. Which picks did the Browns get? It's a long list that includes the 2016 No. 8 overall pick, the third and fourth round picks this year, the 2017 first-round pick, and a second-round pick in 2018. If you are keeping count, that leaves the Browns with 12 picks in 2016 alone.

Most franchises could build a Super Bowl championship team with all of those picks. The Cleveland Browns, however, are not "most franchises." They are one of the worst teams when it comes to the draft. They would have more success if Wayne the Bingo Caller at the Setting Sun Senior Center were responsible for selecting the team's draft choices from his wire cage.

In 2004, they could have had quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. In fact, the Browns considered drafting him, but instead went with Tight End Kellen Winslow II, whose NFL career was limited because of perpetual injuries. Since 1999, the Browns have been particularly horrible when it comes to quarterbacks in the first round. Tim Couch in 1999, Brady Quinn in 2007, Brandon Weeden in 2012, and Johnny Manziel in 2014 were all busts. Beyond quarterback, the team has rarely drafted well. Running back Trent Richardson, a first-round draft pick in 2012, had a short, unproductive career in the NFL. Wide receiver Josh Gordon, a second-round compensatory pick in 2012, is suspended indefinitely due to repeated violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy. Cornerback Justin Gilbert, the eighth overall pick in 2014, while not a total bust, has been a disappointment due to character issues. In 2015, he only started one of the nine games he played.

Since 2012, the Browns have had seven first round picks. Still, the team is perpetually bad. Will the Browns windfall of draft picks from the Philadelphia Eagles make a difference for the team? Given their history, probably not.