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The 5 worst first round draft picks for the Cleveland Browns since 1999

By Frank Teriaca

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 20: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns leaves the field after a football game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 20, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won the game 30-13. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 20: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns leaves the field after a football game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 20, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won the game 30-13. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 30: Cameron Erving of the Florida State Seminoles holds up a jersey after being picked #19 overall by the Cleveland Browns during the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 30, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 30: Cameron Erving of the Florida State Seminoles holds up a jersey after being picked #19 overall by the Cleveland Browns during the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 30, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

The Cleveland Browns have been known for botching draft picks since the teams rebirth in 1999. Here are the five worst first-round picks in that time period.

The Cleveland Browns have been notoriously bad at drafting players since the franchise has returned in 1999. Starting with the expansion draft and passing on a possible franchise quarterback in Kurt Warner, this franchise has never seemed to get it right.

The recent first-round draft picks starting with Myles Garrett in 2017 seem to be at least solid selections. But not being able to consistently hit on first-round picks has doomed this franchise’s ability to get ahead. Here we examine the five worst first-round draft picks since the 1999 draft. Let’s start with a couple of honorable mentions.

Cameron Erving OL, Florida State: No. 19 overall 2015 draft

Cam Erving now has the last laugh as a backup offensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs and hoisting the Lombardi Trophy last month but his time in Cleveland was rough. Often over-powered by defensive lineman, Erving did not have the strength to compete at a high level.

Selected by former GM Ray Farmer, Erving was often moved around the line as the coaching staff could not quite find the right spot for him. Failing at tackle, guard, and center during his time with the Browns, Erving did to live up to his first-round draft status and was eventually traded to the Chiefs for a fifth-round pick after just two seasons.

Barkevious Mingo LB, LSU: No. 6 overall 2013 draft

Barkevious Mingo was possibly victim to one of the worst draft classes in recent history. As a top 10 pick, Mingo failed to live up to his promise as a pass-rushing specialist off the edge in a 3-4 defense.

Selected by the brain trust of Joe Banner and Michael Lombardi, Mingo registered only seven sacks in three seasons in Cleveland and was eventually traded to the New England Patriots for a fifth-round pick in 2016.

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