Cleveland Browns: Re-drafting last five 1st-round classes

2012: 3rd overall selection, 22nd overall selection

Grade: F

Actual Picks: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama (3rd overall), Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State (22nd overall)

Re-Do Picks: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College (3rd overall), Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin (22nd overall)

Nov 30, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) looks on prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Reason: Being reasonable, Russell Wilson most likely would’ve been the second pick in the draft after Andrew Luck, so re-doing the third overall pick and taking Luke Kuechly is very much realistic. Kuechly, has changed the fabric of a once soft Carolina Panthers defense into one of the most feared in the game. In 2013, he was the defensive player of the year and has been named as a First-team All-Pro twice.

Trent Richardson, who was actually taken with the third overall pick, is one of the biggest fluke picks in years. He played overweight and without much quickness, leading to him being dealt just a year after being drafted.

With the 22nd overall pick, the Browns selected a 28-year-old at the time, in Brandon Weeden. He appeared in 15 games his first season, and 8 in his next. Is Weeden’s demise his own fault? That’s up for question considering the Browns instability in the front office and at head coach.

At the same spot Weeden was available, as was Wilson. Again, it’s easy to critique now, and he definitely wouldn’t be here at the Browns 22nd pick, but in all reality he was there for the Browns taking on that April day in 2012. We all know what Wilson has accomplished in his first three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Appearing in back-to-back super bowls, while posting a career passer rating of 98.6 tells you all you need to know about his production as one of the game’s best at the position.

Next: 2013 First-Round