Cleveland Browns Draft Passes, the Never-ending List
By Greg Newland
2010 – Earl Thomas, Safety, University of Texas
2010 is one of the few years you could argue the Browns did okay, as they drafted Joe Haden from the University of Florida with the 7th pick. Haden was a strong performer for the Browns until injuries were too much. Haden was a two-time pro-bowler for the Browns and fans hated to see him go, especially to the rival Steelers.
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Just eight picks later, the Seattle Seahawks began the creation of the Legion of Boom by drafting Earl Thomas. Thomas spent eight seasons with Seahawks earning six pro-bowl invites and three years of all-pro honors. Thomas continues to perform at a high level as he earned his seventh pro-bowl invitation in his first year playing with the Baltimore Ravens.
2011 – Cameron Heyward, Defensive End, The Ohio State University
In 2011 the Browns drafted a defensive tackle for the University of Baylor, Phil Taylor. Taylor showed great upside as a rookie with four sacks and 59 tackles, but after that, his career would only go in a downward spiral.
Taylor was placed on the physically unable to perform list in 2014 and would never again play in the NFL. The big defensive tackle was only able to play one full season in brown and orange.
Passing on Cameron Heyward hurts more for two different reasons. One, he was a local college guy at Ohio State. Two, he ended up with the rival Steelers. Heyward has been durable and effective, the two most important qualities in the NFL. Heyward has seen the field 15-plus games in eight of his nine seasons with three pro-bowls and two all-pro seasons.