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The five most disappointing Cleveland Browns of the modern era

By Greg Newland

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 15: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the football as offensive linemen Cameron Erving #74 and Joe Thomas #73 block defensive lineman Cameron Heyward (L) and linebacker Jarvis Jones #95 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during a game at Heinz Field on November 15, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Browns 30-9. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 15: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the football as offensive linemen Cameron Erving #74 and Joe Thomas #73 block defensive lineman Cameron Heyward (L) and linebacker Jarvis Jones #95 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during a game at Heinz Field on November 15, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Browns 30-9. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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Cornerback Justin Gilbert

CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 07: Cornerback Justin Gilbert #21 of the Cleveland Browns runs back an interception during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 7, 2014, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 07: Cornerback Justin Gilbert #21 of the Cleveland Browns runs back an interception during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 7, 2014, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Justin Gilbert was not just one of the biggest Browns disappointments in the last 20 years, he was in the heat of a string of terrible first-round picks for the franchise. Before Gilbert was Weeden and Barkevious Mingo. After Gilbert was Johnny Manziel, Danny Shelton, Cameron Erving, and Corey Coleman. You counted right, five straight drafts with first-round picks who did absolutely nothing.

What hurts the most is guys like Aaron Donald, C.J. Mosley, and Zack Martin were drafted after the Browns took Gilbert. Fans were already surprised when Gilbert’s name was called at pick No. 8 in the 2014 draft and after only starting three games as a rookie, they were right.

Gilbert came into the season with an injury that limited him right off the bat, but he was never able to earn time on the field after that. In two seasons Gilbert started three games and only appeared in 23 games. With 39 total tackles and one pick-six, fans were ready to move on from Gilbert.

In 2016, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded a 2018 sixth-round pick for Gilbert and only kept him around for one season. Gilbert again struggled to get on the field and only recorded three tackles with the Steelers.

A once top-10 pick had a career of three NFL starts, 42 tackles, and one interception. Gilbert was in the league from 2014 through 2016 and would never get another opportunity. Browns fans once believed Joe Haden and Gilbert would be a dynamic duo in the NFL. Instead, both would end up in Pittsburgh with declining careers.

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