There’s been too many to count since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999, but there’s no way you can’t agree that the Browns have had one first-round bust after another.
Johnny Manziel, who will be getting his release on March 9th, will go down as yet another first round bust, a player that was expected to give the Browns long term answers and help, and instead it was just the opposite – being a total distraction while not producing much on the field, as shown by his 2-6 record as a starter in two seasons.
Today we take a look at the top five first round busts of the Browns since 1999. Feel free to leave a comment or add yet another player you think should be on the list. After all, there’s probably more than five, but these are the worst of the worst for the Brown and Orange.
5. Brady Quinn 1st Round 22nd pick in 2007
Quinn was another QB that fell down the draft order, and when it was announced that the Browns had moved up, people right away started to go crazy knowing it was to draft Quinn. He in three seasons started in 12 games, and actually threw more TD’s than picks (10-9) in his three seasons with the Browns, but had issues getting the ball downfield with any sort of zip. In 2009 he started 9 games, and the team was 1-11 before they won their last four games to wrap up the year 5-11. Even with that the team had already decided to move on, and signed free agent QB Jake Delhomme to replace him. Quinn bounced to four other teams by the time he left the game in 2013.
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Stan Pennock
February 3, 2016 at 4:22 pm
Hey Matt, Did you forget that Gilbert was a 1st round pick? How about Gerard Warren? In the history of the Browns franchise there have only been 7 QB’s with more wins and all of them played on far more talented teams. He was good enough to be signed to back up a HOF QB in Green Bay. Injury cost him his career, so were you really being fair to him? He won way more games that Gilbert’s lack of effort ever will for the Browns. Also Brady Quinn had the same career winning percentage as Weeden and the team never gave Quinn the opportunity to get experience like they did Weeden. IMO the Browns didn’t treat him fairly at all.
Stan Pennock
February 3, 2016 at 4:26 pm
Hey Matt, Sorry, my question was about Tim Couch. I forgot to include who I was talking about! Must have been another mental lapse.
Matt Loede
February 4, 2016 at 4:47 pm
Hi Stan!
Thanks for the comment! I understand your point about Tim completely. He’s a tremendous guy as I just spoke to him about a week ago for a Browns book I am writing that will be out in September. As far as him and his talent, I do agree that he got a raw deal on those teams he was forced to play on, and to this day he told me he thought maybe he was thrown in the mix too early as a rookie QB. With that though the reason I went with him over guys like Gilbert and Warren is rather simple. First he was the FIRST overall pick, and when you pick a guy that high you are expecting a great to HOF type player. I know it doesn’t happen every year, but that’s what you are hoping for. Second, he’s a QB, and as we all know, QB’s, good or bad, get remembered a lot more than positions like corner and D-line. I just think those factors alone are enough for him to be considered one of the top busts in team history since 99. Again, can’t argue with you that he got a raw deal, because he did, but I felt that it was more of a ‘wrong place at wrong time’ type of deal than anything else. Would have loved to have seen Tim play for a team that was even decent in those seasons instead of one that was brand new to the league again. Thank you again for your comments! All the best!