The Worst of the Worst: Biggest Cleveland Browns draft-busts since 1999

Biggest busts in Cleveland Browns history: 7. Brandon Weeden

Was anyone ever excited about the 28-year-old rookie gunslinger from Oklahoma State? It always felt like the Browns panicked on Colt McCoy and reached for a QB who likely would have been around at their next pick in the second round. While the Brandon Weeden days were unfortunately not the darkest days of Browns football, it was certainly tough to watch. Weeden racked up 20 starts, 26 INT’s, 57 times sacked and 3 lost fumbles. After 2 seasons with the Browns, he was released and only started 5 games after in the NFL.

Biggest busts in Cleveland Browns history: 6. Trent Richardson

Trent Richardson is the perfect way to end part one of Brown’s recent draft busts. Talk about starting out with a bang, busting Kurt Coleman’s helmet off in a week one loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. After that, it was a lot of 2-and 3-yard runs, and not a lot of winning.

One of the brighter moves in Brown’s history was being able to get a first-round pick back out of the Colts. Tune in to part 2 of this series to see who the Browns turned that pick in to… We have seen a few exceptions of great running backs taken top 5, but most teams safe the running back position until later in the draft. Too bad the Browns didn’t on this one.

Not to bring up bad memories, as all Browns fans are well-aware of draft decision failures in the last 20 years. In this situation, there are just so many that it is easy to forget. No better time to remanence than the time leading up to the draft! Don’t forget, this is just the start, make sure to check back for Part 2 with the 5 worst draft picks since 1999!

Biggest busts in Cleveland Browns history: 5. Gerard Warren

Gerard Warren, a name that might not be on everyone’s list is extremely high on mine.  Not because he never saw the field for the Cleveland Browns or was a horrible player.  Warren makes the list because of the high expectations that were set and never close to being met.  Warren was also able to capitalize on a large rookie deal, before the Sam Bradford rule, and signed a deal for 6 years and $33.6 million dollars after holding out most of minicamp.

Warren was supposed to be the next Warren Sapp and instead ended up being a highly overpaid average interior defensive lineman.  Warren played 4 full seasons with the Browns before being traded to the Denver Broncos but was never close to living up to the hype. Truthfully Warren would have been out the door far earlier had he not had the outrageous contract attached to his name.

Biggest busts in Cleveland Browns history: 4. Corey Coleman

Corey Coleman is most likely unfairly judged by most die-hard Browns fans.  All we remember is him dropping the wide-open pass on 4th down in week 17 against the Pittsburg Steelers.  Had Coleman held on to that pass, the Browns likely would have gotten a win and avoided the infamous 0-16 season.

Coleman was never fully healthy, and it felt like he was dropping more passes than he was catching.  In 2 seasons with the Browns, Coleman only started in 18 games racking up just over 700 yards and five touchdowns.  Coleman is largely remembered for his frustrations on Hard Knocks, where he eventually demanded to be traded after not getting first-team reps. Coleman was shipped out to Buffalo for a mere 7th round pick, another swing, and miss by the Browns organization.