For one season, Josh Gordon was the best receiver in the NFL -- and perhaps the best to ever wear a Browns uniform. But his brilliance was fleeting. (bleacherreport.com)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
(One in a series.)
Yes, the Browns have had their clunkers in the draft. The first-rounders are epic.
Their draft successes more often come later on Days 2 or 3.
Previously, we charted the Browns’ best picks in their expansion era on the third day of the draft – Rounds 4-7.
Now we rank their best picks on the second day – Rounds 2-3.
1. RB Nick Chubb (Georgia)
2018, Round 2, 35th overall. GM: John Dorsey.
In just two seasons, he has established himself as probably the third-best running back in Browns history behind Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly. Chubb already owns two of the three longest rushes in Browns history (92 and 88 yards), and his 1,494 rushing yards in 2019 were the most for any Browns back not named Jim Brown. Worst you can say about him: Not a great quote. But his brevity of speech is a product of his selflessness and is refreshing in a locker room filled with talkers.
2. RT Mitchell Schwartz (California)
2012, Round 2, 37th overall. GM: Tom Heckert.
In four years with the Browns, he never missed a snap. Allowing him to leave in free agency was one of the big mistakes of the first Browns analytics regime. In four years with the Chiefs, he has strangely not earned a Pro Bowl berth but has been named to four All-Pro teams – once as a first-teamer – and earned a Super Bowl ring this year.
3. LG Joel Bitonio (Nevada)
2014, Round 2, 35th overall. GM Ray Farmer.
Twice he was named a second-team All-Pro and once he made the Pro Bowl as an alternate. Bitonio is a foundation piece on the offensive line – very good, very durable and very dependable. He was also an Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award nominee and two-time winner of the PFWA Dino Lucarelli Good Guy Award.
4. WR Josh Gordon (Baylor)
2012, Round 2, supplemental draft. GM: Heckert.
Yes, he flamed out in a never-ending struggle with substances abuse, a brilliant meteor shooting through Browns history. In seven years with the Browns, he missed more games (58) than he appeared in (41). But, boy, was he good. Based on pure physical ability, he was the best in football in 2013 and perhaps the best – for just one fleeting season – in Browns history. What could have been.
5. DE Jabaal Sheard (Pittsburgh)
2011, Round 2, 37th overall. GM: Heckert.
He led the Browns with 8.5 sacks as a rookie and added seven his second year. His demise was rooted in the club’s switch to a 3-4 defense in his third season, which put him out of position as an outside linebacker. Sheard’s last five years in 4-3 base sets, he produced 28.5 sacks with the Patriots and Colts.
Honorable mention: DT Larry Ogunjobi (2017, Round 3), LB D'Qwell Jackson (2006, Round 2), S T.J. Ward (2010, Round 2), WR Kevin Johnson (1999, Round 2), CB Daylon McCutcheon (1999, Round 3), LB Christian Kirksey (2014, Round 3), RB Duke Johnson (2015, Round 3), DE Emmanuel Ogbah (2016, Round 2), CB Greedy Williams (2019, Round 2).