The Cleveland Browns Should Have Drafted A Different Team

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

The Browns selected Jeff Faine (C) with the 20th overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. Faine only played three years in Cleveland, so a much better pick here would have been Nnamdi Asomugha (CB), Rashean Mathis (CB) or Ken Hamlin (S).

Chaun Thompson (LB) was taken in round 2 and was not much of a play maker. The Browns would have been better off drafting Lance Briggs (LB), Anquan Boldin (WR), Osi Umenyiora (DE) or Jason Witten (TE). Cleveland picked Chris Crocker (S) in the 3rd round and he too only played three seasons for the Browns. A better draft choice here would have been Terrence McGee (CB) or Justin Fargas (RB).

The Cleveland Browns selected Lee Suggs (RB) in round 4 and was another three-year player for the franchise. The Browns should have drafted Robert Mathis (DE) or Asante Samuel (CB). In the 5th round, Cleveland took Ryan Pontbriand (long snapper). Pontbriand is still with the team and was a Pro Bowl player in 2007, so this is considered a good draft selection for the Browns. The team had a second 5th round draft choice, which was used on Michael Lehan (CB). Lehan was a role player during his three-year career with the Browns. A better option here would have been Dan Koppen (C).

In round 6, Cleveland picked Antonio Garay (DT) and only played in four games for the team, so the Browns should have drafted Cato June (LB). The Cleveland Browns passed on three notable future stars with Tony Romo (QB), Antonio Gates (TE) and Kris Dielman (OG). All three of these NFL stars went undrafted in 2003 and the Browns could have signed them as free agents.


Summary Of Players The Cleveland Browns Should Have Acquired In 2003

Nnamdi Asomugha
Lance Briggs
Terrence McGee
Robert Mathis
Dan Koppen
Cato June
Tony Romo
Antonio Gates
Kris Dielman

With the 6th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, the Browns selected Kellen Winslow II (TE). Winslow is talented, but his mouth and his stupidity gets him in trouble more than it's probably worth. Winslow crashed a motorcycle in an empty parking lot injuring himself in May 2005. He thinks he is the best tight end in the game and he has yet to prove that while Tony Gonzalez, Jason Witten and Antonio Gates are clearly better play-making tight ends. The Browns will consider this a good draft pick, but Winslow needs to stay healthy to be able to play games to prove his worth to the team.

In the 2nd round, Cleveland drafted Sean Jones (FS) and has had a couple of productive years, but bigger play makers like Darnell Dockett (DT), Matt Schaub (QB), Chris Cooley (TE) and Nick Hardwick (C) were still available.

The Browns selected Luke McCown (QB) in round 4 and played in only five games for the team before being traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A better draft choice here would have been Jared Allen (DE), Michael Turner (RB) or Nathan Vasher (CB).

Amon Gordon (DT) was taken by Cleveland in the 5th round. Gordon played in only 6 games during his two-year stay with the Browns, so Cleveland should have picked Derrick Ward (RB).


Summary Of Players The Cleveland Browns Should Have Acquired In 2004

Darnell Dockett
Michael Turner
Derrick Ward

Cleveland drafted Braylon Edwards (WR) in the 2005 NFL Draft with the 3rd overall pick. In 2007, Edwards had a monster year (80 receptions, 1,289 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns). He struggled in 2008 dropping a lot of balls thrown his way. For now, this is a good draft selection by the Browns, but they may regret this pick if Edwards continues to struggle in 2009.

Cleveland picked Brodney Pool (S) in the 2nd round of the draft. Pool is just an average player, but bigger impact players like Lofa Tatupu (LB) or Frank Gore (RB) were still on the draft board.

In the 3rd round, the Browns selected Charlie Frye (QB). Frye was thought to be the future franchise quarterback, but he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks one game into the 2007 season. The Browns realized Frye was not the future. A better pick here would have been Justin Tuck (DE).

Antonio Perkins (CB) was taken in the 4th round and was a bad pick since he only played in 6 games for Cleveland. The Browns should have drafted Marion Barber III (RB) or Brandon Jacobs (RB). In round 5, Cleveland drafted David McMillan (DE) and was another disappointing pick since he was just a bench player. The Browns would have been better off selecting Trent Cole (DE).

Nick Speegle (LB) was grabbed in the 6th round and was also another role player that saw limited action. A better option here would have been Ryan Grant (RB). Grant went undrafted in 2005, so any NFL team could have signed him to their squad. Cleveland did sign a really good special teams player, Josh Cribbs (KR), so they at least got that right.


Summary Of Players The Cleveland Browns Should Have Acquired In 2005

Lofa Tatupu
Justin Tuck
Brandon Jacobs
Trent Cole
Ryan Grant

1. Jamal Lewis
2. Ken Dorsey
3. Braylon Edwards
4. Kellen Winslow
5. Phil Dawson

In the 2006 NFL Draft, Cleveland selected Kamerion Wimbley (DE). Wimbley had a strong rookie season, but his production has declined since. The Browns should have picked DeMeco Ryans (LB), Devin Hester (KR), Greg Jennings (WR), DeAngelo Williams (RB) or Antonio Cromartie (CB).

D'Qwell Jackson (LB) was taken in round 2 by the Browns. Jackson has actually played quite well for Cleveland, so they finally made a good draft selection after so many terrible picks. Cleveland drafted Travis Wilson (WR) in the 3rd round and was a horrible pick because he played in only four games for Cleveland. A better draft choice here would have been Owen Daniels (TE).

In round 4, the Browns chose Leon Williams (LB) and is usually a non-starter. The team could have taken Brandon Marshall (WR). With their second 4th round pick, Cleveland selected Isaac Sowells (OG) and he too sees more plays from the bench. The Cleveland Browns should have drafted Barry Cofield (DT).

With Cleveland's 5th round draft choice, Jerome Harrison (RB) was added to the roster. Harrison hasn't seen much playing time in Cleveland, so a better option here would have been Antoine Bethea (FS). DeMario Minter (CB) was taken with Cleveland's second 5th round selection. Minter never played a game for the Browns. Cleveland could have added Marques Colston (WR) to their team.


Summary Of Players The Cleveland Browns Should Have Acquired In 2006

DeMeco Ryans
Owen Daniels
Brandon Marshall
Barry Cofield
Antoine Bethea
Marques Colston

Fans of the Cleveland Browns deserve a winning team, but the franchise's management has made poor choices on draft picks and traded much needed draft choices because of other deals. The Browns really only needed three or four of the players listed below that weren't originally drafted to the team to help turn this franchise around.

Based on draft locations and team needs, the squad below are the players that could have been playing for the Cleveland Browns.

Tony Romo (QB)

Michael Turner (RB)
Brandon Jacobs (RB)
Ryan Grant (RB)
Derrick Ward (RB)

Braylon Edwards (WR)
Brandon Marshall (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)

Antonio Gates (TE)
Kellen Winslow II (TE)
Owen Daniels (TE)

Dan Koppen (C)
Kris Dielman (OG)

Darnell Dockett (DT)
Barry Cofield (DT)
Trent Cole (DE)
Justin Tuck (DE)
Robert Mathis (DE)

Lance Briggs (LB)
Lofa Tatupu (LB)
Cato June (LB)
D'Qwell Jackson (LB)

Nnamdi Asomugha (CB)
Terrence McGee (CB)
Antonio Cromartie (CB)
Antoine Bethea (FS)

Josh Cribbs (KR)
Ryan Pontbriand (long snapper)