Cleveland Browns: Top 20 All-Time first-round draft picks

With the 2021 NFL Draft in the rearview, we look at the Cleveland Browns top 20 first-round picks of all time

Nothing builds hope for a franchise like the NFL Draft. No matter the record, things can always get better should they just hit on that first-round pick. Cleveland Browns fans arguably know this better than any fan base.

Since returning to the NFL in 1999, the Browns have had more than their fair share of struggles — which has led to several very high picks in the draft. Of course, not every one of those selections has worked out which is why they did have issues.

The good news is, the recent choices made in the draft have been much better. That’s why they’re starting to win again. And in the 2021 NFL Draft, they again made some moves that have the fan base excited about what’s in store.

With all that being said, we look back over the Browns long and proud history and identify their 20 best selections in the first round of the draft.

Cleveland Browns top first-round draft picks All-Time No. 20: Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan

Taken third overall out of Michigan, Braylon Edwards started out his career looking like a star in the NFL. He had 512 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie but that was simply a warm-up for what he had in store in years two and three.

As a sophomore, the former Wolverine had 884 yards and six touchdowns on 61 receptions but then went off in 2007. That was the season when Cleveland went 10-6 but still missed the playoffs but Edwards did all he could to make them contenders.

The 24-year-old receiver had 80 receptions for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns. Unfortunately, he led the league with 23 drops the following season which led to him being traded to the New York Jets in 2009.

Even with him struggling at the end of his time in Cleveland, he still proved to be a weapon for four and a half seasons. He finished his Browns career with 3,697 yards on 238 receptions (an average of 15.5 yards per grab). and28 touchdowns.