10 biggest first round mistakes the Cleveland Browns have made since ’99

1. QB Johnny Manziel (2014 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 22)

Who else could it be?

Johnny “Football” Manziel is undoubtedly the biggest bust in not just the modern era but of all time for the Cleveland Browns.

No other quarterback was this hyped and this disappointing. Manziel was so hyped that Mel Kiper once suggested that Manziel could go first overall to the Houston Texans and the fans of Texas-based club actually wanted it to happen. Granted eventual top pick, Jadeveon Clowney, was never the first-overall pick he should’ve been, he is at least hall of fame-caliber player compared to Manziel.

Manziel came in and sat behind beloved local-hero Brian Hoyer, much like Quinn did with Anderson. Hoyer led the team to a 7-6 record and nearly dragged the club to the playoffs had they not fallen apart in the second half of the season. Hoyer would be let go, with the front office wanting to avoid a quarterback controversy and instead brought in aging veteran Josh McCown. McCown earned the job after Manziel was ruled out for the start of the pre-season. Eventually, Manziel would get his shot.

He had moments in his second season, even throwing more touchdowns than interceptions and completing nearly 60% of his passes. Not impressive numbers by any means but there was promise there. Yet, Manziel couldn’t stay clean.

Manziel partied more than he trained and didn’t really show much concern about his career. His desire to get wasted was so high that he skipped the last game of the 2015 season to go partying in Las Vegas. Yes, Manziel was out with a concussion, but he was still supposed to be there that Sunday for the game even though he wasn’t playing.

The report had Manziel in Las Vegas partying in a disguise, and that moment proved to be the final straw for the Browns, who then decided to cut their losses with the troubled quarterback. He has yet to show any team that he’s cleaned up his act, nor has he found success in the Canadian Football League or the Alliance of American Football.

Manziel will always be seen as a player with great potential but who could never keep his stuff together mentally. His athleticism and ability to make plays were a rarity but the hype went to his head.

What a bust.