2021 NFL Draft: 3 prospects Cleveland Browns should avoid in Round 1

The Cleveland Browns head into the 2021 season with more talent and more promise than any other season since their return in 1999. After winning 12-games in 2020, including a playoff victory at Pittsburgh, the Browns could be real contenders in 2021 if they play their cards right.

What’s the downside of coming off a great season? The Browns will be picking at No. 26 in this year’s draft after so many years of having top 10 picks, which includes four years of having the No. 1 pick in a span of fewer than 20 years.

So, what’s so different this year you ask? The Browns are in the last year of rookie deals for both Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward. That means this will be the last offseason with enough cap to sign an elite impact player in free agency. While the Browns appear to have a structure to be competitive for years, their real window is the 2021 season to surround Mayfield with a ton of talent.

With that being said, the draft is even more important. If you can sign a major free agent and draft two guys who are capable starters from day one, not only are you restarting the cycle of young talented players, you are getting high production from players who are cheap on your roster.

It’s tough to say who the biggest busts in Cleveland Browns’ draft history are, but there are plenty in the running. The list starts at Corey Coleman, works to Trent Richardson, and ends with Courtney Brown with so many more in between.

Kevin Stefanski appears to have turned the direction of the Browns organization quite possibly faster than anyone else in NFL history.  Let’s hope general manager Andrew Berry follows suit in 2021 with a phenomenal draft that includes avoiding these three players who are likely busts.