<![CDATA[The Best and Worst of Each Draft]]>I title this the Best and Worst of each draft for going back to when the common draft started in 1967 I am going to list the very best players that came out of that draft. I will give like the top 5 or 6.....of ALL rounds, then I will give the three players from just the first round that amounted to the biggest busts of that draft....or at least the overall least productive career. I will break posts down into decades in order to not jam it all in at once. Why take note of the busts? Simply as a warning that anyone these teams drafted coulda, woulda, shoulda either made it big....or been a big nothing:

1960s/70s

1967 Best: Alan Page, Gene Upshaw, Bob Griese, Lem Barney, Willie Lanier, Rayfield Wright, Floyd Little

Worst: Jim Detwiler, Harry Jones, Ray McDonald

1968 Best: Ron Yary, Art Shell, Curly Culp, Larry Csonka, Claude Humphrey, Elvin Bethea, Ken Stabler

Worst: Eldridge Dickey, Mike Hull, Jim Smith

1969 Best: OJ Simpson, Joe Greene, Ted Hendrix, Charlie Joiner, Roger Wehrli

Worst: Jim Seymour, Rich Moore, Greg Cook

1970 Best: Terry Bradshaw, Mel Blount, Lemar Parish (7th round) Doug Wilkerson, Jake Scott (7th)

Worst: Larry Stergent, Sid Smith, John Small

1971 Best: Jack Ham, Jack Youngblood, John Riggins, Dan Dierdorff, Ken Anderson

Worst: Leo Hayden, Leon Burns, Joe Moore

1972 Best: Franco Harris, Lydell Mitchell, Cliff Branch (9th rd.) Lawrence McCutcheon, Brian Sipe (13th)

Worst: Bill Thomas, Michael Taylor, Terry Beasly

1973 Best: Dan Fouts, John Hannah, Joe Dellamelleure, Ron Jaworski, Tom Jackson

Worst: Johnny Rodgers, George Amundson, Barry Smith

1974 Best: Mike Webster, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann, Randy Gradishar, Ed Too Tall Jones

Worst: Charley Young, J.V. Cain, Bo Mathews

1975 Best: Walter Payton, Randy White, Fred Dean, Steve Grogan, Louis Wright

Worst: Larry Burton, Kurt Schumacher, Tom Ruud

1976 Best: Mike Haynes, Steve Largent, Harry Carson, Jackie Slater, Lee Roy Selmon

Worst: Ken Novak, Rod Walters, Lawrence Gaines

1977 Best: Tony Dorsett, Stan Morgan, Bob Baumhower, Steve DeBerg(10th rd.), Rod Martin

Worst: Mike Cobb, Steve Pisarkewiscz, Randy Burke

1978 Best: James Lofton, Earl Campbell, Ozzie Newsome, Mike Kenn, Clay Matthews

Worst: Steve Little, Ken McAfee, Larry Bethea

1979 Best: Joe Montana, Dan Hampton, Kellen Winslow, Phil Simms, Max Montoya

Worst: Robert Shaw, Russell Erxleben, Willis Adams

(Browns players on either listed noted in Brown)

Hall of Famers in Italics

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/36878/the-best-and-worst-of-each-draftRSS for NodeThu, 01 Oct 2026 01:02:03 GMTMon, 27 Apr 2015 18:04:10 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to The Best and Worst of Each Draft on Tue, 28 Apr 2015 16:35:54 GMT]]>

@the-gipper said:

Weeden started most of a full season plus for the Browns. Some of these other guys were so bad that they didn't see the light of day.

I sure wish he hadn't.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/501360https://brownsboard.com/post/501360Tue, 28 Apr 2015 16:35:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The Best and Worst of Each Draft on Tue, 28 Apr 2015 16:19:06 GMT]]>Morris Claiborne.....a huge bust after 3 years......Dallas is very fortunate to have him AND Weeden......gooo Jerry!

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/501351https://brownsboard.com/post/501351Tue, 28 Apr 2015 16:19:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The Best and Worst of Each Draft on Tue, 28 Apr 2015 16:17:23 GMT]]>

@roycerolls said:

Weeden has to be on the worst list for 2012, especially if you consider where he was picked

Weeden started most of a full season plus for the Browns. Some of these other guys were so bad that they didn't see the light of day.

In fact other big name busts so far from that 2012 first round that have done less than Weeden include the likes of Nick Perry, Justin Blackmon, Morris Claiborne, Dre Kirkpatrick, Shea McClellin. Of that group, only Perry was drafted below Weeden. Plus Mark Barron has done just about as bad.

Is Justin Gilbert 2 years hence going to be included with those DBs?

And FYI....as bad as Trent Richardson is....he actually ranks in the top half production wise of all first round draft pics, per PFR career production average.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/501350https://brownsboard.com/post/501350Tue, 28 Apr 2015 16:17:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The Best and Worst of Each Draft on Tue, 28 Apr 2015 16:08:31 GMT]]>Weeden has to be on the worst list for 2012, especially if you consider where he was picked

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/501342https://brownsboard.com/post/501342Tue, 28 Apr 2015 16:08:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The Best and Worst of Each Draft on Tue, 28 Apr 2015 14:04:16 GMT]]>

@alkid3 said:

Manziel after two games... haha

Right, that is why I prefaced the results of the 2010s as being too early. My source still has RGIII as one of the 5 most productive players of that draft....but unless he turns it around he could be considered a major bust.

In fact, one person on the radio I heard said that if RGIII doesn't win the job and becomes relegated to role player, that HE could be the biggest bust in draft history..... and NOT Jamarcus Russell or Ryan Leaf. Why? Because those guys just cost the team that drafted him one high first round draft choice. RGIII would have cost the Redskins 3 high first round picks.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/501294https://brownsboard.com/post/501294Tue, 28 Apr 2015 14:04:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The Best and Worst of Each Draft on Tue, 28 Apr 2015 01:52:22 GMT]]>Manziel after two games... haha

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/501200https://brownsboard.com/post/501200Tue, 28 Apr 2015 01:52:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The Best and Worst of Each Draft on Mon, 27 Apr 2015 20:08:57 GMT]]>Some things to think about from these above lists. The dearth of Browns. Since 1967 it can fairly be said that the Browns have drafted one of the best 5 players in a draft only three times: Newsome, Mathews, Thomas.

That is 47 drafts friends....and one of the 5 best only 3 times!! And two of those in one year.

And I guess with the bad comes the good.......the Browns have really only drafted one of the worst 3 first round busts on a few occasions:

Willis Adams, Clifford Charlton, Craig Powell, Brady Quinn (can't count Johnny yet) Of course the Browns have had other renowned busts as well....but none apparently as bad as these.

Which means from one point of view: Other teams do pretty fucked up when it comes to drafting as well.

We may have our Mike Junkins, Craig Powell, Clifford Charltons etc etc.

But other teams have their Mike Rumphs, Yatil Greens, Reggie Rogers, Hart Lee Dykes, ...Ryan Leaf's/Jamarcus Russells etc.

So the Browns have not cornered the market on making bad draft picks.....it just seems that way.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/501030https://brownsboard.com/post/501030Mon, 27 Apr 2015 20:08:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The Best and Worst of Each Draft on Mon, 27 Apr 2015 20:00:07 GMT]]>Finally, while it is perhaps certainly too early to judge the more recent years, here is how the 2010s are going so far:

2010 Best: Ndomakong Suh, Earl Thomas, Maurkice Pouncey, NaVarro Bowman, Dez Bryant

Worst: Brandon Graham, Tim Tebow, Patrick Robertson

2011 Best: JJ Watt, Cam Newton, Richard Sherman (5th rd.), Patrick Peterson, Andy Dalton

Worst: Derek Sherrod, Jonathan Baldwin, Blaine Gabbert

2012 Best: Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck, Luke Kuechley, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill

Worst: AJ Jenkins, David Wilson, Melvin Ingram

2013 Best: Eddy Lacy, Leveon Bell, Kyle Long, Travis Frederick, David Bakhtari,

Worst: Jonathan Cooper, Dion Jordan, Tyler Eifert

2014 Best: Zack Martin, CJ Mosley, Odell Beckham, Aaron Donald, Jeremy Hill

Worst: Marcus Smith, Jimmie Ward, Darqueze Dennard, Dee Ford, Johnny Manziel, Jadaveon Clowney

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/501029https://brownsboard.com/post/501029Mon, 27 Apr 2015 20:00:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The Best and Worst of Each Draft on Mon, 27 Apr 2015 19:52:01 GMT]]>Here is the list for the 2000s:

2000 Best: Tom Brady (6th rd), Brian Urlacher, John Abraham, Brad Meester, Chad Clifton

Worst: R. Jay Soward, Erik Flowers, Rahard Anderson

2001 Best: Drew Brees, LaDanian Tomlinson, Reggie Wayne, Justin Smith, Steve Smith

Worst: Jamal Reynolds, Willie Middlebrook, Jamar Fletcher

2002 Best: Julius Peppers, Ed Reed, Dwight Freeney, Clinto Portis, Brian Westbrook

Worst: Wendell Bryant, Mike Rumph, Patrick Ramsay

2003 Best: Lance Briggs, Kevin Williams, Troy Polamalu, Terrell Suggs, Andre Johnson

Worst: Jerome McDougle, Charles Rogers, Andre Woolfork

2004 Best: Phillip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Jared Allen, Vince Wilfork

Worst: Rashaun Woods, Chris Perry, Marcus Tubbs

2005 Best: Aaron Rodgers, Logan Mankins, Demarcus Ware, Roddy White, Frank Gore

Worst: David Pollack, Erasmus James, Troy Williamson

2006 Best: Jahri Evans, Haloti Ngata, Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Maurice Jones-Drew

Worst: John McCargo, Bobby Carpenter, Tye Hill

2007 Best: Patrick Willis, Darelle Revis, Adrian Peterson, Joe Thomas, Calvin Johnson

Worst: Brady Quinn, Justin Harrell, Jamarcus Russell

2008 Best: Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Matt Forte, Josh Sitton, Chris Johnson

Worst: Vernon Gholston, Kentwan, Balmer, Jeff Otah

2009 Best: Clay Mathews III, LeSean McCoy, Matt Stafford, Louis Vasquez, Sebastian Vollmer

Worst: Aaron Maybin, Larry English, Jason Smith

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/501025https://brownsboard.com/post/501025Mon, 27 Apr 2015 19:52:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The Best and Worst of Each Draft on Mon, 27 Apr 2015 19:34:48 GMT]]>Here are the Best and Worst picks for each draft in the 1990s:

1990 Best: Emmit Smith, Cortez Kennedy, Junior Seau, Shannon Sharpe, Richmond Webb

Worst: Andre Ware, Percy Snow, Darrel Thompson

1991 Best: Brett Favre, Aeneas Williams, Ricky Waters, Ted Washington, Mo Lewis

Worst: Huey Richardson, Dan McGwire, Todd Marinovich

1992 Best: Jimmy Smith, Troy Vincent, Levon Kirkland, Chester McGlockton, Darren Woodson

Worst: Tony Smith, Derek Brown, Vaughn Dunbar

1993 Best: Michael Strahan, Will Shields, Willie Roaf, Jerome Bettis, Drew Bledsoe

Worst: Leonard Renfro, Todd Kelly, Patrick Bates

1994 Best: Marshall Faulk, Larry Allen, Kevin Mawae, Tom Nalen, Isaac Bruce

Worst: Trev Alberts, Heath Shuler, Bernard Williams

1995 Best: Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Curtis Martin, Steve McNair, Kevin Conte

Worst: Trezelle Jenkins, Craig Powell, Billy Milner

1996: Best: Ray Lewis, Jonathan Ogden, Zach Thomas, Terrelle Owens, Marvin Harrison

Worst: Andre Johnson, Jamain Stephens, John Michels

1997: Best: Walter Jones, Ronde Barber, Jason Taylor, Orlando Pace, Tiki Barber

Worst: Jim Druckenmiller, Yatil Green, Jon Harris

1998: Best: Peyton Manning, Randy Moss, Alan Faneca, Charles Woodson, Fred Taylor

Worst: Marcus Nash, Ryan Leaf, John Avery

1999 Best: Edgerrin James, Champ Bailey, Donovan McNabb, Tory Holt, Joey Porter

Worst: Dmitrious Underwood, Reggie McGrew, Akili Smith

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/501020https://brownsboard.com/post/501020Mon, 27 Apr 2015 19:34:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The Best and Worst of Each Draft on Mon, 27 Apr 2015 18:19:25 GMT]]>Here is the list of the Best and Worst of each draft from the 1980s:

1980 Best: Anthony Munoz, Art Monk, Dwight Stephenson, Steve McMichael, Jacob Green

Worst: Vagas Ferguson, Junior Miller, Derrick Hatchett

1981 Best: Lawrence Taylor, Mike Singletary, Ronnie Lott, Ricky Jackson, Howie Long, Russ Grimm

Worst: Rich Campbell, David Overstreet, Booker Moore, David Verser

1982 Best: Marcus Allen, Mike Munchak, Andre Tippet, Mark Duper, Luis Sharpe

Worst: Perry Tuttle, Art Schlichter, Rod Hill

1983 Best: Dan Marino, John Elway, Jim Kelly, Eric Dickerson, Bruce Matthew, Darrell Green, Richard Dent

Worst: Gabe Rivera, Tony Hunter, Todd Blackledge

1984 Best: Boomer Esiason, Wilbur Marshall, Ernest Byner (10th rd.), Irving Fryar, Guy McIntyre

Worst: Clyde Duncan, Billy Cannon, Ron Faurot

1985 Best: Jerry Rice, Bruce Smith, Chris Doleman, Andre Reed, Randall Cunningham

Worst: Kevin Allen, Darryl Sims, Alvin Toles

1986: Charles Haley, Pat Swilling, Leslie O'Neal, Clyde Simmons, Jim Everett

Worst: Bob Buczowski, Brian Jozwiak, Reggie DuPard

1987: Rod Woodson, Rich Gannon, Vinny Testaverde, Hardy Nickerson, Greg Lloyd

Worst: Reggie Rogers, Kelly Stouffer, Shawn Knight

1988: Randall McDaniel, Thurman Thomas, Michael Irvin, Tim Brown, Dermonti Dawson

Worst: Ted Gregory, Clifford Charlton, Eric Kumerow

1989: Barry Sanders, Deion Sanders, Derrick Thomas, Troy Aikman, Steve Wisniewski

Worst: Bill Hawkins, Tom Ricketts, Hart Lee Dykes

(hard to imagine that there were 3 worse players the year Mike Junkin was picked...but apparently so)

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/501001https://brownsboard.com/post/501001Mon, 27 Apr 2015 18:19:25 GMT