10 biggest first round mistakes the Cleveland Browns have made since ’99
By Chad Porto
7. QB Brandon Weeden (2012 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 22)
Honestly, it baffles me that Bradon Weeden was ever a first-round pick. That’s not to say the Oklahoma State alum was bad. He wasn’t. At least not compared to the general audience. Weeden was an NFL-caliber player. He was not, however, an NFL franchise-caliber quarterback. If Weeden had been taken in the fourth round, there’s every chance he’d still be a Cleveland Brown to this very day.
He wasn’t, and he isn’t, so there’s no point in playing that game.
The pick made many think about the time when the Carolina Panthers selected Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke at the age of 29. Weeden, 28 at the time of his draft, was taken three rounds higher and was less successful in college. Both Weeden and Weinke deferred their time in college for the opportunity to play professional baseball. They both failed to make it to the majors and instead took scholarships to play quarterback at Florida State and Oklahoma State respectively.
Neither guy was the “the guy” for their respective teams and both ended up leaving after short tenures. That said, Weinke lasted longer in Carolina than Weeden did in Cleveland.
Weeden was never a bad passer and had a cannon for an arm. Maybe if he had played for Oklahoma State at 18 and not 28, he would’ve developed into a better player. That said, a clear pick that belonged in the fourth-round is all the justification one needs to label Weeden a bust for being a first-round pick.