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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14 Nov 1999: Tim Couch #2 of the Cleveland Browns passes the ball during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Browns defeated the Steelers 16-15. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport
14 Nov 1999: Tim Couch #2 of the Cleveland Browns passes the ball during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Browns defeated the Steelers 16-15. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport /

1999 – QB Tim Couch (Round 1: 1st overall)

Tim Couch may not be the name most of you think from the 1999 class, but when you actually look at the class itself, it’s not impressive at all. Now, there’s a debate about Couch being a bust or not. He’s not, just to end the debate, but I don’t blame anyone for saying Couch’s career was less than good. Since we’re Cleveland Browns‘ fans, however, we’ve seen guys who are out and out busts. Busts don’t produce, ever. Busts are so disappointing that even regular, run of the mill, disappointments think busts are disappointments. They’re a new brand of suck.

Couch had a good rookie season, a strong third season and lead the team to its only playoff appearance in 25 years. So yeah, Couch gets to avoid the busts label for that reason alone. Is that a good reason? Well, considering how the Browns have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that not just any quarterback can do that feat, yeah, it’s a dang good reason.

Couch’s career will be remembered as a giant “What If” ever. If The Browns drafted Chris Samuels or Brian Urlacher in 2000, then the Browns could’ve taken LaDanian Tomilson in 2001 and Ed Reed in 2002. Then head coach Butch Davis was a solid enough coach, even he wouldn’t have screwed up that much potential. Had Couch had any help on offense, with Samuels, Ross Verba, and Dave Wohlabaugh, then you actually have a solid line.

Oh what could’ve been.

Honorable Mention: WR Kevin Johnson

Kevin Johnson should’ve been a Pro Bowler in 2001 with the season he had, but save for him, the entire class outside of the first two picks were absolutely horrid.

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