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Cleveland Browns 5 worst draft picks of the past 5 years

By Casey Kinnamon

Dec 31, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) pressures Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShone Kizer (7) during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) pressures Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShone Kizer (7) during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns, Antonio Callaway
Sep 20, 2018; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway (11) smiles before the game against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Browns Draft miss No. 2: Antonio Callaway

Antonio Callaway was an uber-talented wide receiver prospect of the University of Florida. But with that great talent also came great risk. For as much talent and potential as the young man demonstrated on the field, there were equally, or perhaps even more, as many red flags for Callaway off of the field.

Callaway was not an extreme volume receiver while in Gainesville, but he was electric when the ball was in his hands. He only hauled in 89 receptions during his two seasons as a Gator, but he did average 15.7 yards a catch and scored seven touchdowns. Callaway also scored as a rusher and even threw one touchdown.

But it was his ability to return punts and kicks that showcased what he was capable of from a yards after catch perspective, scoring on two punt returns as a freshman and one kick return as a sophomore. For reasons that we will not delve into here, Callaway was suspended for the entirety of his junior campaign and declared for the NFL draft.

John Dorsey and the Browns called Callaway’s name with the 105th selection of the 2018 NFL draft. Viewed as a fringe first-round talent, that many NFL general managers evaluated as undraftable due to his off-field concerns as well as a diluted urine sample at the NFL combine, Dorsey pulled the trigger. Just as he had done with players like Tyreek Hill, Dorsey saw the reward outweighing the inherent risk.

Both Callaway and his red flags showed up to Berea for his rookie training camp. Despite a rocky start, that included an infamous traffic stop documented by HBO’s Hard Knocks, Callaway turned in a decent rookie season. Callaway hauled in 43 receptions for 586 yards and five touchdowns.

Then the offseason happened, and Callaway was suspended four games for a substance-abuse violation. After a forgettable four-game return, the team waived Callaway right before he was being hit with another 10-game suspension for yet another substance-abuse violation. Callaway has since spent stints with Miami and Kansas City but has not been able to regain his footing as a professional.

Wide receivers that were still on the board when the Browns selected Callaway: Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Russell Gage, and Cedrick Wilson.

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