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Cleveland Browns: Top 5 rookie seasons since 1999

By Randy Gurzi

CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 04: (L-R) Kamerion Wimbley #95, Mike Adams #20 and D'Qwell Jackson #52 of the Cleveland Browns ocelebrate a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during their game at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Browns 23-20 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 04: (L-R) Kamerion Wimbley #95, Mike Adams #20 and D'Qwell Jackson #52 of the Cleveland Browns ocelebrate a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during their game at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Browns 23-20 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 8: Running back Trent Richardson #33 of the Cleveland Browns runs for a gain during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at First Energy Stadium on September 8, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 8: Running back Trent Richardson #33 of the Cleveland Browns runs for a gain during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at First Energy Stadium on September 8, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

RB. 2012. Trent Richardson. 3. player. 53.

This pick seems to bring up some bad memories as Trent Richardson never became the back he was supposed to be for the Cleveland Browns. After a dominating career with the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Browns used the No. 3 overall pick on Trent Richardson in 2012.

As a rookie, there were mixed results as Richardson proved to be a workhorse, but he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. Richardson also had a huge critic in former Cleveland great Jim Brown, who said he didn’t see anything outstanding about the way the young back played the game.

"“When you think of greatness and the great backs, they all had some individual traits that you can identify — quickness, balance, power, speed,” Brown said via Josh Katzowitz of CBS Sports. “I think the kid is a good working back, and if you’ve got everything else around him he can play his role. But when it comes to outstanding, I don’t see anything outstanding about him. It’s not said in a cruel manner. He’s very efficient, and that’s what you want.”"

Even with his issues, Richardson finds his way to this list due to his ability to find the end zone in his rookie season. He finished with 950 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding another 51 receptions and a touchdown through the air.

Cleveland ended up selling high as they shipped Richardson off to the Indianapolis Colts the next season. He ended up being a bust for the Colts, but the Browns used the first-round pick acquired to land Johnny Manziel. So really, no one won. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that Richardson had one of the better rookie seasons since 1999.

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