According to multiple reports, the Cleveland Browns will release Johnny Manziel on the first day of the new league year next month. It's just the latest example of a quarterback they drafted flopping not long after his selection.
Since they re-entered the league in 1999, the Browns have drafted eight quarterbacks. Six were taken in the first three rounds, and four of those were first-round selections. Tim Couch, drafted No. 1 overall back in 1999, was the only one who lasted more than three seasons with the team. Their last two first-rounders were cut just two years later.
Cleveland was widely derided for signing Josh McCown to start last offseason, but maybe that wasn't such a bad move. Drafting players at the position seems to be a dead end for this franchise.
| QUARTERBACKS DRAFTED BY CLEVELAND, 1999-PRESENT | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Rd | Pick | Player | College | Result |
| 2014 | 1 | 22 | Johnny Manziel | Texas A&M | Cut two years later |
| 2012 | 1 | 22 | Brandon Weeden | Oklahoma State | Cut two years later |
| 2010 | 3 | 85 | Colt McCoy | Texas | Traded three years later |
| 2007 | 1 | 22 | Brady Quinn | Notre Dame | Traded three years later |
| 2005 | 3 | 67 | Charlie Frye | Akron | Traded two years later |
| 2004 | 4 | 106 | Luke McCown | Louisiana Tech | Traded one year later |
| 2000 | 6 | 183 | Spergon Wynn | Southwest Texas State | Traded one year later |
| 1999 | 1 | 1 | Tim Couch | Kentucky | Cut four years later |
--Andy Richardson