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 – OCTOBER 10: Andra Davis #54 and Robert Griffith #24 of the Cleveland Browns tackle Duce Staley #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game at Heinz Field on October 10, 2004 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Browns 34-23. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH – OCTOBER 10: Andra Davis #54 and Robert Griffith #24 of the Cleveland Browns tackle Duce Staley #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game at Heinz Field on October 10, 2004 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Browns 34-23. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2002 –  LB Andra Davis (Round 5: Pick 6, 141st overall)

While only a special teams player his rookie year (the lone playoff season), Andra Davis would explode onto the scene for seven years with the Cleveland Browns. He would have five seasons of 70+ tackles while topping the century mark three times.

Admittedly, the 2002 Draft was one of the worst. This was the first year that then-head coach Butch Davis had complete control over personnel. We’re about to see how that goes.

In 2002, despite needing safety help, one is never taken. The Browns prioritize the offense with bust after bust in William Green, Andre Davis (notice the E/A difference) and Melvin Fowler.  Then Davis would go on a spree and select THREE linebackers thirty picks apart in Andra Davis, Kevin Bentley, and Ben Taylor. Tayor, despite playing well in limited action during his second and fourth years, would never be given a fair shot to start.

Davis, on the other hand, would play on a star level compared to the others in this draft class. He’d leave Cleveland in 2009, signing with the Denver Broncos to be their starting middle linebacker. After only one year though he got cut, and went on to play in Buffalo for two seasons. He was released after the 2011 season and went unsigned the following year. He eventually retired from the league.

Injuries cut his career short, resulting in the former Browns player dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts. Thankfully though, he’s moving on and was even going for his MBA.

Good to see him back on track.

Wait, nevermind….

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