Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

5 Best Cleveland Browns first round draft picks since 1999

By Clay Goodwin

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 17: Offensive tackle Joe Thomas #73 of the Cleveland Browns blocks linebacker Tyus Bowser #54 of the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 17: Offensive tackle Joe Thomas #73 of the Cleveland Browns blocks linebacker Tyus Bowser #54 of the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 29: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws the ball during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 29: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws the ball during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

5. Baker Mayfield, quarterback

Kicking things off at No. 5 is the team’s current starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is one of two players added in 2018 that could contend for this spot. Cornerback, Denzel Ward was extremely close to claiming this last spot but just missed out on this list.

Sure, Mayfield had a very rough year last year. That is undeniable. But Browns fans have to remember the success he achieved as a rookie in 2018.

More from Dawg Pound Daily

Mayfield set the NFL rookie record for passing touchdowns previously set by Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson. Mayfield accomplished that in only 13.5 games.

That is truly an amazing record. 27 touchdowns to 14 interceptions as a rookie is a great start. Mayfield brought the Browns a positive attitude and a hope for the near future. The spark he brought to the city was something the Browns have not had in a long time.

No, he did not lead the Browns to the playoffs. No, he did not improve from his rookie year. No, he did not look like a great player last year. But Mayfield still has it.

He has won everywhere he has been and proved doubters wrong. He will lead the Browns over the hump in the near future.

Mayfield makes this list because he is a good player despite last year’s performance. He has given the Browns the solution at quarterback and they do not have to try to fill it every off-season as they have for the last 20 years.

Mayfield will be better. Fans have to remember the passion and amazing talent he brought in 2018. He is our quarterback and hopefully the face of our future.

Home/Browns Draft