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5 do-overs of the Johnny Manziel selection in 2014

By Steven Kubitza

Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes the ball against the San Diego Chargers during overtime at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes the ball against the San Diego Chargers during overtime at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

Not only did the Browns pass up on Derek Carr, but they passed up on a prospect who was labeled as a top QB option leading up to the draft.

In his senior season at Louisville in 2013, Teddy Bridgewater threw for 3,970 yards and 31 touchdowns, with only four interceptions. He also led Lousiville to a Sugar Bowl victory over Florida in his sophomore season.

He seemed to be the top quarterback prospect coming into the draft, and was even labeled as the possible top pick at certain times leading up to the draft. But as it often goes, his stock went up and down before he was ultimately drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the 32nd overall pick.

Bridgewater was named rookie of the year in 2014, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2016. As with Carr, seeing the Pro Bowl honors so early in Bridgewater’s career will haunt Browns fans for years to come.

But unlike Carr, he has not put up great numbers from a statistical point of view. He only has 28 passing touchdowns in two years, but the inclusion of Adrian Peterson on the roster, at least this season, may account for a lack of big passing numbers.

Whether Pro Bowl level success would have been found by Bridgewater on the Browns will never be known, but he at least has the look of an NFL quarterback so far. He would have been an easy choice to start, which would have taken away the countless Manziel-related distractions. That in itself would have been better than a winning season.

Next: Kelvin Benjamin

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