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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
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 26: Defensive back Justin Gilbert signals no catch during the game against the Oakland Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 26, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns worst pick No. 1: DB – Justin Gilbert – taken 8th overall in the 2014 draft

Justin Gilbert might be one of the most confusing picks in Cleveland Browns history.

Many draft experts had him as a mid-to-late first-round pick, but the Browns took him 8th overall and apparently did so without doing much research on him or interviewing him in the draft process.

He didn’t do much as a rookie, recording one interception and 29 solo tackles. He did, however, show up late to meetings and got torn apart by teammates who called out his immaturity.It was hopeful that Gilbert would bounce back in the 2015 season, but it only got worse.

Gilbert was inactive at the start of the season and he crashed a car after a road rage situation before the season started. It appeared that he had not matured at all and the Browns realized it was time to move on.

He was traded to the Steelers and only lasted one season there until he was out of the NFL entirely. This pick was so bad because it seemed pretty random by the front office. General managers are supposed to do a lot of homework on players, but that wasn’t the case with Glibert.

Next. 3 Browns who will benefit most from Jadeveon Clowney re-signing. dark

Dishonorable mentions: Trent Richardson, Cam Erving, Gerard Warren, and Corey Coleman all could have made this list — but just missed out. 

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