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Ranking Cleveland Browns 5 worst first round draft picks since 1999

By Michael Welsh

Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) scrambles as San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Mike Purcell (64) pursues during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) scrambles as San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Mike Purcell (64) pursues during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Cleveland Browns defensive end Courtney Brown (R) runs for a touchdown with blocking from teammate Gerard Warren (L) after recovering a fumble by the Chicago Bears on their first drive of the game 04 November 2001 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. AFP PHOTO/John ZICH (Photo credit should read JOHN ZICH/AFP via Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns worst pick No. 3: DE Courtney Brown – taken 1st overall in the 2000 draft

When the Browns took Myles Garrett in the 2017 NFL Draft, it was regarded as a home run pick since he was a generational talent. It was a similar situation when the Browns took Courtney Brown in the 2000 draft first overall.

He was regarded as a “can’t miss” prospect and fans were mostly excited about his addition to the team. Signs early on pointed in the direction that Brown might be a massive bust. He showed work ethic issues in training camp and wasn’t exactly impressing his coaches.

Ultimately, Brown only lasted five seasons in Cleveland and never got to double digit sacks in a single campaign. His career high was six sacks in 2003 and he finished with a very disappointing 17 sacks in five seasons.

In his second season, he dealt with ankle and knee injuries and that played a big part into the decline of his career. The talent was always there with Brown, but he was overall a massive disappointment in Cleveland and only lasted five seasons in the NFL.

When you take a guy first overall, he needs to be a game-changing hall of fame caliber player. Brown fell way short of those exceptions.

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