Few teams’ first-round NFL Draft pick histories have been more well-documented than the Cleveland Browns in the modern era. Whether successes or failures, the Browns’ selections always draw attention, as the NFL patiently waits for Cleveland to become a football mainstay once again. Here’s a look at the Browns’ performance in Round 1 over the years.
Cleveland Browns First-Round Draft Picks Throughout History
Heading into the 2023 NFL Draft cycle, the Browns’ first-round NFL Draft pick history only contained five Hall of Fame selections, the most notable among them being the late Jim Brown. In the 2023 Hall of Fame class, however, a sixth player was added: Offensive tackle Joe Thomas.
Although the Browns sustained little to no team success during Thomas’ career, he was an iron man who started all 16 games for 10 years straight from 2007 to 2016. A dominant technician and athlete all in one, Thomas earned 10 Pro Bowl and six All-Pro bids, and rightfully gained his golden jacket.
In the most recent decade, Myles Garrett — who was Cleveland’s first overall selection in 2017 — has the best chance of eventually becoming a Hall of Famer. In six years, he already has two All-Pro and four Pro Bowl bids, with 74.5 sacks over that span.
2024
- Traded the 23rd pick to the Minnesota Vikings
2023
- Traded the 12th pick to the Houston Texans
2022
- Traded the 13th pick to the Houston Texans
2021
- Greg Newsome II | Pick 26
CB, Northwestern
2020
- Jedrick Wills Jr. | Pick 10
OT, Alabama
2019
- Traded the 17th pick to the New York Giants
2018
- Baker Mayfield | Pick 1
QB, Oklahoma - Denzel Ward | Pick 4
CB Ohio State
2017
- Myles Garrett | Pick 1
DE, Texas A&M
- Jabrill Peppers | Pick 25
S, Michigan - David Njoku | Pick 29
TE, Miami (FL)
2016
- Corey Coleman | Pick 15
WR, Baylor
2015
- Danny Shelton | Pick 12
DT, Washington
- Cameron Erving | Pick 19
C, Florida State
2014
- Justin Gilbert | Pick 8
CB, Oklahoma State
- Johnny Manziel | Pick 22
QB, Texas A&M
2013
- Barkevious Mingo | Pick 6
OLB, LSU
2012
- Trent Richardson | Pick 3
RB, Alabama
- Brandon Weeden | Pick 22
QB, Oklahoma State
2011
- Phil Taylor | Pick 21
DT, Baylor
2010
- Joe Haden | Pick 7
CB, Florida
2009
- Alex Mack | Pick 21
C, California
2008
- Traded the 22nd pick to the Dallas Cowboys
2007
- Joe Thomas* | Pick 3
OT, Wisconsin
- Brady Quinn | Pick 22
QB, Notre Dame
2006
- Kamerion Wimbley | Pick 13
LB, Florida State
2005
- Braylon Edwards | Pick 3
WR, Michigan
2004
- Kellen Winslow II | Pick 6
TE, Miami (FL)
2003
- Jeff Faine | Pick 21
C, Notre Dame
2002
- William Green | Pick 16
RB, Boston College
2001
- Gerard Warren | Pick 3
DT, Florida
2000
- Courtney Brown | Pick 1
DE, Penn State
1999
- Tim Couch | Pick 1
QB, Kentucky
1996-1998
- No team in Cleveland from 1996-1998
1995
- Craig Powell | Pick 30
LB, Ohio State
1994
- Antonio Langham | Pick 9
CB, Alabama
- Derrick Alexander | Pick 29
WR, Michigan
1993
- Steve Everitt | Pick 14
C, Michigan
1992
- Tommy Vardell | Pick 9
FB, Stanford
1991
- Eric Turner | Pick 2
DB, UCLA
1990
- Traded the 18th pick to the Green Bay Packers
1989
- Eric Metcalf | Pick 13
RB/WR, Texas
1988
- Clifford Charlton | Pick 21
LB, Florida
1987
- Mike Junkin | Pick 5
LB, Duke
1986
- Traded the 20th pick to the Buffalo Bills
1985
- Traded the seventh pick to the Green Bay Packers
1984
- Don Rogers | Pick 18
S, UCLA
1983
- Traded the 14th pick to the Buffalo Bills
1982
- Chip Banks | Pick 3
LB, USC
1981
- Hanford Dixon | Pick 22
CB, Southern Miss
1980
- Charles White | Pick 27
RB, USC
1979
- Willis Adams | Pick 20
WR, Houston
1978
- Clay Matthews | Pick 12
LB, USC
- Ozzie Newsome* | Pick 23
TE, Alabama
1977
- Robert Jackson | Pick 17
LB, Texas A&M
1976
- Mike Pruitt | Pick 7
FB, Purdue
1975
- Mack Mitchell | Pick 5
DL, Houston
1974
- Traded the 15th pick to the San Diego Chargers
1973
- Steven Holden | Pick 16
WR, Arizona State - Pete Adams | Pick 22
G, USC
1972
- Thom Darden | Pick 18
DB, Michigan
1971
- Clarence Scott | Pick 14
DB, Kansas
1970
- Mike Phipps | Pick 3
QB, Purdue
- Bob McKay | Pick 21
OT, Texas
1969
- Ron Johnson | Pick 20
RB, Michigan
1968
- Marvin Upshaw | Pick 21
DL, Trinity
1967
- Bob Matheson | Pick 18
LB, Duke
1966
- Milt Morin | Pick 14
TE, Massachusetts
1965
- Traded the 13th pick to the San Francisco 49ers
1964
- Paul Warfield* | Pick 11
WR, Ohio State
1963
- Tom Hutchinson | Pick 9
WR, Kentucky
1962
- Gary Collins | Pick 4
WR/P, Maryland
- Leroy Jackson | Pick 11
RB, Western Illinois
1961
- Bobby Crespino | Pick 10
TE, Mississippi
1960
- Jim Houston | Pick 8
DE/LB, Ohio State
1959
- Rich Kreitling | Pick 11
WR, Illinois
1958
- Jim Shofner | Pick 13
DB, TCU
1957
- Jim Brown* | Pick 6
FB, Syracuse
1956
- Preston Carpenter | Pick 13
E/RB/TE, Arkansas
1955
- Kurt Burris | Pick 13
C, Oklahoma
1954
- Bobby Garrett | Pick 1
QB, Stanford
- John Bauer | Pick 12
G/OT, Illinois
1953
- Doug Atkins* | Pick 11
DE, Tennessee
1952
- Bert Rechichar | Pick 10
DB/K, Tennessee
- Harry Agganis | Pick 12
QB, Boston
1951
- Kenny Konz | Pick 14
DB, LSU
1950
- Ken Carpenter | Pick 13
RB, Oregon State
*Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame