Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Cameron Erving (Florida State) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 19th overall pick to the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
It’s always interesting to look back at prior drafts and see who your team passed on, and the result they actually received with each draft pick. Every team hits and misses in the NFL Draft, I mean imagine trying to explain to someone how Blaine Gabbert was taken before J.J. Watt? Or how Victor Cruz went from an undrafted wide receiver out of Massachusetts, to a super bowl champion and one of the more dynamic players at his position?
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Some players are products of a system, while others are the complete opposite. I was always someone that never put too much stock in the word “talent.” In my work, I refrain from using that word when describing a productive player because I think people use the word without truly understanding the meaning.
Let me ask you this: were Kurt Warner or Tony Romo less talented when they entered the league as undrafted free agents? No, they just proved themselves through opportunity. Now looking back at their careers you think of them as one of the more productive quarterbacks of their generation. Before they proved themselves, many questioned whether they were “talented” enough to be viable options at the NFL level.
So, instead of calling players talented, I like to use the word “proven” instead. That’s just my thing. Anyway, let’s get to who I would re-draft in the last five first-round Cleveland Browns draft classes. I have a few rules though:
- I won’t include this past draft class because nobody has been able to prove themselves yet, so it wouldn’t be fair to judge this early on in the process.
- The way I pick who could’ve been drafted over another, depends solely on who was available at their spot in the first-round, whether that player was actually taken in the first-round or not.
- It’s going to look like an all-star team, but hey, this is all in good fun. It’s easy to look back now and critique, but on draft day you have no idea what the future holds, no matter who you select. It’s interesting to think what could’ve been.
Next: 2010 First-Round
2010: 7th overall selection
Grade: A+
Actual Pick: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Re-Do Pick: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Nov 6, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Reason: There isn’t much to explain here with the pick of Joe Haden. You guys love him, he’s a two-time Pro Bowler, and one of the best players at his position. I think if the Browns were given the opportunity, they’d go with Haden once more. Great pick.
Related: Cleveland Browns’ Joe Haden at No. 23 on NFL’s Top 100 List
Next: 2011 First-Round
2011: 21st overall selection
Grade: C
Actual Pick: Phillip Taylor, DT, Baylor
Re-Do Pick: Richard Sherman, CB, Stanford
Dec 14, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 17-7. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Reason: Whether you love him or hate him, Richard Sherman is considered by many – including myself – as the league’s best cornerback. In 2011, he fell all the way to the fifth-round, and if this entire draft was actually re-done he obviously wouldn’t still wouldn’t be available at the 21st overall pick, but let’s remember the Browns are re-doing their draft, nobody else here. Sherman, leads the league in interceptions over his first four seasons in the NFL, and has been a First-team All-Pro three times. Not to mention a super bowl champion back in the 2013 season.
Related: Cleveland Browns: Secondary rivals Seahawks ‘Legion of Boom’
Phil Taylor on the other hand had a productive rookie season in 2011, racking up 59 combined tackles and four sacks, but over the last three seasons has played in only 28 games due to injury. In those 28 games, he’s only compiled three sacks. Disappointing to say the least for this Browns first-rounder.
Next: 2012 First-Round
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
2013: 6th overall selection
Grade: C-
Actual Pick: Barkevious Mingo, LB, LSU
Re-Do Pick: Le’veon Bell, RB, Michigan State
Reason: I know being a Pittsburgh Steeler, Le’Veon Bell might not sit well for some Browns fans, but you can’t deny just how special he has shown to be early on in his career. After a nice rookie season where he accumulated over 800 yards on the ground, Bell exploded in 2014 with 1,361 rushing yards and 83 receptions. Although, he is suspended to start the season, you can’t deny what he could’ve done for this Browns offense with his playmaking ability.
Related: Cleveland Browns: Why this is Barkevious Mingo’s last chance
Barkevious Mingo for the most part hasn’t lived up to what many expected of him. His style was suppose to be a centered around rushing the passer, which to this point has only led to seven career sacks. Many point to injury for his struggles, but to me he was drafted in this league to get to the quarterback. There’s a reason pass rushers are being paid top dollar, it’s kind of an important job. He’s failed to do so.
Next: 2014 First-Round
2014: 8th overall selection, 22nd overall selection
Grade: D
Actual Pick: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State (8th overall), Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M (22nd overall)
Re-Do Picks: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU (8th overall), Kelvin Benjamin, WR, FSU (22nd overall)
Dec 7, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr (13) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Reason: Is there really anything to argue with taking Odell Beckham Jr. over Justin Gilbert? Beckham Jr., in just 12 games racked up 91 receptions and 12 touchdowns. Completely alarming numbers that would’ve left Browns fans asking, “Josh Gordon who?” I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rookie emerge onto the scene like Beckham Jr. The pick of Justin Gilbert at the time made sense, but a very underwhelming and confusing rookie season, means he will need to prove his worth big-time in 2015.
Kelvin Benjamin was my other selection for the Browns because could you imagine a duo of Beckham Jr. and Benjamin? The selection of Johnny Manziel wouldn’t even need to be made considering the Browns selected Russell Wilson in the 2012 draft. Manziel looked lost, while Benjamin hit the 1,000 yard-mark for receiving his rookie year. Big difference in production.
Next: Daily Dawg Tags: Browns defense needs to prove their worth