Cleveland Browns: Just how bad have first-round picks been?
By Randy Gurzi
2015 First-Round Pick: Danny Shelton, Nose Tackle
Games played with Browns: 46
Where is he now? Traded to New England this offseason
After missing on some skill position players and quarterbacks, the Browns decided it was time to bulk up their lines in 2015 and they had two selection in ROund 1 to do that with. Their first pick was the No. 12 overall selection and they took Danny Shelton out of Washington.
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This pick was praised and it may have been the best one during this span. Unfortunately, though, the new boss didn’t think he fit the defense. Shelton was dealt to the Patriots, along with a fifth-round pick, for a third-round selection. This is probably the one that is tough to swallow because he was a tough run defender and did his job well.
2015 First-Round Pick Cameron Erving, Offensive Line
Games played with Browns: 29
Where is he now? On the Kansas City Chiefs roster
This pick wasn’t as hard to see leave. Cameron Erving was taken No. 19 overall and following Shelton gave them hope they could fix their line. Erving played all over the line for Florida State and Cleveland was ready to put his versatility to the test.
The problem was he never really found a home. He moved all over the line and eventually proved that he wasn’t what they thought. He landed in Kansas City when the Browns decided a fifth-round pick was better to have than Erving.