Browns: Ranking the 7 worst players drafted between 2012-2014

3. Trent Richardson (Round 1, Pick 3 of 2012 NFL Draft)

This one hurts because Trent Richardson had everything you’d want in a pro player. He was quick, powerful, hungry, and a good teammate. He just had the worst vision and spatial awareness in the history of sports. Richardson was able to hide that glaring error in his rookie year, rushing for 938 yards and 11 touchdowns, but his yards-per-carry was a horrid 3.6. (Nick Chubb’s career YPC is 5.2 for comparison). Richardson would go on to the Colts (where he was cut) and eventually to the AAF, where he’d 11 more touchdowns. His YPC in the AAF was just 2.9, however. Richardson could probably still play in the NFL but as a fullback and short-yardage back but his selection as the third overall pick in the 2012 draft will more than likely keep that from ever happening.

2. Barkevious Mingo (Round 1, Pick 8 of 2013 NFL Draft)

In Barkevious Mingo’s defense, the 2013 NFL Draft sucked. He’s also still in the league as a special team’s player. Yet, when you’re a top ten pick in the NFL, still in the league or not seven years later as a bench player is bad. For some reason, he keeps getting gigs, despite his rookie season being his best of his career. What makes the Mingo picked often forgotten about is that there wasn’t anyone that the Browns really missed on. Sure, there was current Browns player Sheldon Richardson, but he’s been a disappointment in his career. There’s a bunch of tackles and tight ends later on in the draft but the Browns didn’t need those in 2013. They had Pro Bowl TE Jordan Cameron and two All-Pro, future Hall of Famers in Joe Thomas and Mitchell Schwartz

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

Johnny Manziel was supposed to be the difference-maker. The ultra-athletic and hypermobile quarterback made a name for himself at Texas A&M with his ability to improvise and make plays happen. While he showed flashes of that in Cleveland, the only thing he improvised was new ways to get in trouble. Unlike everyone else on this list, after Manziel got cut from the Browns, no other NFL team took a chance on him. He’s had stints in the AAF and CFL but hasn’t been able to stick. He’s only going to be 28 and if he’s still in shape may get a shot with the new XFL. If he can keep his head on straight that is.