Cleveland Browns: 20 Worst free agents signings in franchise history

Cleveland Browns worst free agents signings No. 9: Gary Baxter, Cornerback

The Browns seemed to be onto something when they signed Gary Baxter. A second-round pick from Baylor in 2001, Baxter spent four seasons playing well for an AFC North rival, the Baltimore Ravens. He was a solid coverage guy for The Ravens and was unafraid to deliver a hit. His most famous play as a member of Baltimore was when he injured Tommy Maddox, which paved the way for Ben Roethlisberger to get into the action as a rookie.

After his contract was up in Baltimore, the Browns came calling. They wanted to shore up their pass defense and really the move made sense. Baxter was given $30 million over a six-year period and got $10.5 million of that guaranteed. Not long into his career with the Browns, Baxter saw it all come to a halt.

He tore the patella tendon in each one of his knees — a freak accident that sounds as painful as it is rare. He was able to get back onto the field in an attempt to come back after that, but it wasn’t meant to be. Baxter finished his career with the Browns by playing in just eight games.

At least he was good in those eight games, racking up 34 tackles and three interceptions. So this one was just bad for how it wound up going.