Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

Cleveland Browns: 5 best first-round picks since 1999

By Steven Kubitza

January 29, 2016; Kahuku, HI, USA; Hawaiian hostesses Chelsea Hardin (far left) and Mahina Garcia (far right) pose with Team Rice tight end Gary Barnidge of the Cleveland Browns (82), Team Irvin center Alex Mack of the Cleveland Browns (55), and Team Rice tackle Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns (73) during 2016 Pro Bowl photo day at Turtle Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 29, 2016; Kahuku, HI, USA; Hawaiian hostesses Chelsea Hardin (far left) and Mahina Garcia (far right) pose with Team Rice tight end Gary Barnidge of the Cleveland Browns (82), Team Irvin center Alex Mack of the Cleveland Browns (55), and Team Rice tackle Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns (73) during 2016 Pro Bowl photo day at Turtle Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Dec 16, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans cheer during a game against the Washington Redskins at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Washington won 38-21. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans cheer during a game against the Washington Redskins at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Washington won 38-21. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Tim Couch was the first selection in the 1999 NFL Draft and the first pick for the expansion-era Browns. After being a star at the University of Kentucky, Couch came to Cleveland under some unfair circumstances.

He was thrust onto the field as a rookie for an expansion team, which is a recipe for disaster. Just ask David Carr.

But Couch managed to do well, even with the odds against him. He finished 1999 with 2,447 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. He reached the 3,000-yard mark in 2001 when he finished with 3,040 passing yards and 17 touchdowns.

He even led the Browns to a playoff berth in 2002, only to break his leg in the regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons. Kelly Holcomb played a great game in the loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card round, but it was Couch’s play all year that helped the team reach that point.

It is amazing to think that Couch took the Browns to the playoffs just four years after the team started from scratch, and that kind of talent is what the Browns are looking for each time they draft a new quarterback.

Injuries were the reason for Couch’s release from the Browns, but what he did with so little around him should be noted as a great achievement in the great history of Cleveland Browns quarterbacks.

Next: 3. Alex Mack

Home/Browns News