Cleveland Browns: No excuse for a bad draft in 2017

The Cleveland Browns own 11 selections in the 2017 NFL Draft, meaning there will be no excuse for not finding some legitimate starting talent.

The 2016 NFL season was one of the worst in Cleveland Browns history, but it did not result in any major personnel changes.

Browns fans have gotten used to seeing coaches and general managers fired every few years, but owner Jimmy Haslam has decided to stick with a plan for once and let things play out for more than a year.

But if the jobs are to remain safe, the front office cannot waste too many of the 11 picks in the 2017 NFL Draft.

No one deliberately chooses a player who turns out to be a bust, but the Browns have been experts at doing just that since 1999, although this front office did a great job of drafting in 2016.

That must continue in 2017, as the Browns have a great chance to add some franchise-changing talent, especially with the two first-round picks.

Along with the two picks in the top-12, the five picks in the top-65 gives this front office the chance to give Hue Jackson some starters who can help the team right away.

Related: Some potential big-name options at QB

The 1-15 season last year was expected, but that embarrassing mark cannot happen again if anyone wants to keep their jobs. A bad season in 2017 likely wouldn’t result in an overhaul given the fact the draft class would only have one year of experience, but if it turns out that there were more busts than successes, the winter of 2019 could result in some major changes.

The key will be taking great players at No. 1 and No. 12 overall, which should mean Myles Garrett comes to the Browns with that first overall pick. The No. 12 pick is a bit trickier, as gambling on a quarterback who doesn’t pan out could doom this front office’s job security beyond 2018.

Next: Should Browns consider Barnett at No. 1?

But as Browns fans know, the rest of the draft is just as important if the team is going to successful for the first time in a decade. We may not know the true success of the 2017 draft class for a few years, but initial evidence will be gathered all season by not just fans, but by Jimmy Haslam. And his opinion is the only one that matters.