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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FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 26: Running back Kevin Faulk #33 of the New England Patriots evades defensive back Anthony Henry #37 of the Cleveland Browns during the NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 26, 2003 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Browns 9-3. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 26: Running back Kevin Faulk #33 of the New England Patriots evades defensive back Anthony Henry #37 of the Cleveland Browns during the NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 26, 2003 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Browns 9-3. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /

2001 – CB Anthony Henry (Round 4: Pick 2, 97th overall

There’s no denying the best player from 2001 was Anthony Henry. Gerard Warren was the first pick for the Browns that year, going third overall in the draft. Despite only playing four years in Cleveland, he would go on to play a decade in the league, playing in Denver, Oakland, and New England.

Due to how the rookie pay scales were back then, Warren got a huge contract for nothing. Because of this, he was dubbed “Big Money” by the press and Warren ended up struggling to be successful in stretches. His streaky play was problematic but he did end up starting 137 out of 163 games. Though, when you realize who was taken after him, and how he never had a single above-average year, it’s not hard to see why Warren is considered a bust. You can’t take someone ahead of LaDanian Tomislon, never make a Pro Bowl and avoid the label.

Anthony Henry on the other hand, while not a Pro Bowler, should’ve been in 2001. He had 10 interceptions in his first year as the Cleveland Browns corner and played mostly in nickel and dime packages. After a few good years in Cleveland, Dallas lured him away with a big deal and from then on Henry played for the Cowboys.

He’d finish his career with 31 interceptions and three touchdowns. Not bad for being a fourth-round draft pick. Henry became one heck of a player for a lot of good teams despite very few thinking he’d make camp in 2001. One of two obvious Pro Bowl snubs so far from that 2001 season, with Kevin Johnson being the other obvious example.

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