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Cleveland Browns: 12 best UDFAs since 1999

By Elliot Kennel

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 13: Joshua Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns returns a kick off against the Minnesota Vikings on September 13, 2009 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Vikings beat the Browns 34-20. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 13: Joshua Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns returns a kick off against the Minnesota Vikings on September 13, 2009 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Vikings beat the Browns 34-20. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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Nov 11, 2007; Pittsburgh , PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver (86) Hines Ward is brought down by Cleveland Browns defensive back (28) Leigh Bodden during the game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2007 Jason Bridge
Nov 11, 2007; Pittsburgh , PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver (86) Hines Ward is brought down by Cleveland Browns defensive back (28) Leigh Bodden during the game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2007 Jason Bridge /

Cleveland Browns UDFA No. 3: Leigh Bodden, cornerback, Class of 2003

Leigh Bodden starred for Duquesne University, an NCAA Division I-AA school, where he was a shutdown corner and basically did not post stats because teams were afraid to throw at him. At his Pro Day, he put up good but not eye-popping numbers.

His 40-yard dash time was 4.56 seconds, and his vertical leap of 38-40 inches. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 13 times. All those are well within the range of NFL talents, but it didn’t happen for him, so he wound up signing with the Browns. He made the team, but was used mainly on special teams and did not become a starter until 2005 when he started 11 times and had three interceptions and 58 tackles for his trouble.

His best season was 2007 when the Browns went 10-6 and narrowly missed the playoffs. However, the Browns traded him, along with a third-round draft pick for defensive end Shaun Rodgers.

Rodgers was a legit star, but with a legit contract to go with it. He made the Pro Bowl in 2008, but on the other hand, the Browns managed to trade away their first three picks that year and spent major cap dollars on Rodgers and Corey Williams.

The Browns were acting like they had the deepest roster in the league, trading two draft picks to land Brady Quinn, then a pick plus Bodden plus dollars that could have been used for a free agent for Rodgers, then a draft pick plus free agent money for Williams. Then they blamed Romeo Crennel for the team not improving. Oh well. That’s the Browns, the deepest roster in the NFL, right?

As for Bodden, remember, he didn’t leave Cleveland for money, he was traded. He eventually did get paid, signing a free-agent deal with New England. However, a shoulder injury ended his career in 2011, or else he might have had the chance to play in the Super Bowl that year.

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