Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

The Best Player in each Cleveland Browns NFL Draft Class since 1999

By Chad Porto

17 Sep 2000: Kevin Johnson #85 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball up the field during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Steelers 23-20.Mandatory Credit: Harry How /Allsport
17 Sep 2000: Kevin Johnson #85 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball up the field during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Steelers 23-20.Mandatory Credit: Harry How /Allsport /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 28: Joel Bitonio #75 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 28, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 28: Joel Bitonio #75 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 28, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

2014 – OL Joel Bitonio(Round 2: Pick 3, 35th overall)

On yay, it’s the Gilbert/Manziel draft. This was the year where the team had two picks in the first round. With Manziel essentially being the pick the Browns got back in exchange for Trent Richardson. There’s a long convoluted path to there, but that’s essentially what it was.

Joel Bitonio, on the other hand, came in during the second round and was an instant success story for the Browns. For as bad as cornerback Justin Gilbert was, and as disappointing as quarterback Johnny Manziel continues to be, Bitonio has been every bit as good. On his current trajectory, Bitonio could easily end up being a Hall of Famer if he stays healthy.

For the most part, many of the other picks didn’t pan out either. Running back Terrance West showed flashes but the tandem of he and Isaiah Crowell never became the Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack of the modern Browns.

Pierre Desir, a cornerback from nowhere Lindenwood college, is a trivia question answer at best. Yet, the Browns didn’t wif on another draft completely, besides Bitonio, there was a heck of a player in this class the Browns got.

Honorable Mention: Christian Kirksey

Christian Kirksey went 71st overall in the third round, and during his time with the Browns was a tackling machine. You know, when healthy. Kirksey showed the Browns fans that you can, in fact, find talent outside of the first round. Which is a novel concept for the Browns still, because they’re still having trouble with first-round talent.

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