Ranking every Cleveland Browns first round draft pick since 1999
By Chad Porto
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14. DE/OLB Kamerion Wimbley, 2006 – 13th
More Gerard Warren than Kellen Winslow and Barkevious Mingo, Kamerion Wimbley is another Cleveland Browns “first-round bust” who actually played a long-time in the NFL. Wimbley was a nine-year pro, starting in every season he played but one.
During his time in Cleveland, he had 11 sacks as a rookie, really raising his profile. He only finished with 26.5 sacks, however, before being traded to the then-named Oakland Raiders for a third-round pick. Wimbley would go on to play another five seasons in the NFL, two for the Raiders and three more for the Tennessee Titans.
He had 442 total career tackles and 53.5 career sacks. All in all, solid numbers, even for a first-rounder. Had he done it all in Cleveland, we’d probably build him a statue. Yet, Wimbley was a victim of change at the top in Cleveland.
Eric Mangini wanted “his guys” in Cleveland, and despite playing for Mangini in 2009, the organization moved on from him and shipped him off. For all intents and purposes, Wimbley had a fine NFL career. I would argue he wasn’t a bust at all, even if he didn’t go to a Pro Bowl unlike guys taken after him.
He’s one of those names I think would’ve made Cleveland better had they kept him. Better, not great, just to be clear.