4. CB Joe Haden, 2010 – 7th Overall
It’s serendipity, really. Joe Haden was Denzel Ward before Ward. Haden came into Cleveland in 2010 and immediately put himself in the conversation for the best cornerback in the league. This was at a time when guys like Richard Sherman, Darrelle Revis, and others were dominating the league and Haden put his name into that conversation.
Haden’s time in Cleveland was fantastic. While he never had a winning season in the city, he went to two Pro Bowls, was surrounded by mediocre talent, and even managed an All-Pro nod in 2013. He was on his way to being a Hall of Famer in Cleveland but mismanagement and greed killed those hopes and the Browns cut him in 2017 to save $4 million.
He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers hours later, and rejuvenated his career, going back to the Pro Bowl as a member of the Black and Gold and making a solid case once again for being a premier corner in the league.
He’s currently a free agent but only 33, and could easily find his way to another team or maybe he even returns to a former team? One can hope but a change to free safety may be his best bet to extend his career.