The first-round of the 2014 NFL Draft took place seven years ago today. While there was plenty of hype heading into the first day of the draft, surely no one expected the first round to produce so many accomplished players. Among the 32 individuals who heard their name called on May 8, 2014, 17 of those players eventually earned Pro Bowl nods. That’s not shabby.
From a transactions standpoint, there were five trades completed on that Thursday evening, with the Browns and Vikings starring in a handful of the deals. While there were whispers that the first-overall pick could get traded from Houston, the Texans ultimately kept the selection and drafted Jadeveon Clowney at No. 1.
The first trade of the evening was between the Browns and Bills. Cleveland wanted to move back to select a cornerback, so they sent No. 4 to Buffalo for No. 9, a future first, and a future fourth. The Bills ended up selecting wideout Sammy Watkins. As the first round continued to progress, the Browns apparently didn’t feel comfortable staying at No. 9. So, they packaged that selection and a future fifth-round pick to the Vikings for the No. 8 pick, and they proceeded to select cornerback Justin Gilbert. The Vikings selected linebacker Anthony Barr with their new selection.
The Saints later got into the action, acquiring the No. 20 pick from the Cardinals to select receiver Brandin Cooks. New Orleans sent Arizona No. 27 and No. 91, with the Cards selecting safety Deone Bucannon with that first-round selection.
The Browns made another trade later in the night, this time in pursuit of a quarterback. Cleveland traded No. 26 and No. 83 to Philly in exchange for No.22…and the Browns ultimately selected quarterback Johnny Manziel. Really, the writing was on the wall with that selection; the team had previously drafted two other QB busts (Brandon Weeden, Brady Quinn) at that same spot in the draft.
The last trade of the evening once again featured the Vikings. Minnesota acquired the No. 32 pick from the Seahawks for picks No. 40 and No. 108. The Vikings used their new selection on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
It was surely an entertaining evening, with Cleveland serving as the star of the show. However, fast forward to today, and Browns fans are surely still shaking their head at how everything unfolded.
Those firth round picks are tricky. Never know if it’s gonna be a first or a fifth.
Yeah I hate the firth round of the draft.
Lol….Firth round can make it difficult to select someone who could really make a difference for your team.
(Just having a little fun)
Don’t get all bent out of shape
I am currently unbent…..
The Browns have made it a habit of drafting in the firth. So many what the **** are you thinking?
The browns really misfired on this one, ouch
It had been rumored throughout the 2013 season that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was enamored with Johnny Manziel. Unfortunately those rumors were proven correct and the Browns selected him at 22. For all the discussion down through the years about the all-time biggest draft bust, Ryan Leaf or Jamarcus Russell, Johnny Manziel, who barely played in his two NFL seasons and then was forced out of the league due to his personal habits, NEVER to return, at least deserves a dishonorable mention consideration. That the Browns doubled down on their draft blunders that night with ANOTHER player in Gilbert who never was committed to the game as much as he was the lifestyle is head-shaking. To this day I can’t believe that night. Thank God the Browns finally seem to have a general manager (Andrew Berry) and coach (Kevin Stefanski) who have a clue about character, talent evaluation, and coaching. May 8, 2014 may have been the low point in the franchise’s development, contributing to the 1-31 2016-17 seasons which followed.
Character? Like Hunt and McDowell?
No, they’re just better at finding football players.
Had to be the worst draft ever by the Browns. I remember the year they drafted Quinn 22nd, they took Joe Thomas earlier
Jerry Jones badly wanted Johnny Football but thankfully was overruled.
He was talked out of it. He’s the owner, I promise he wasn’t overruled.
This draft might be the only time in NFL history a team made the best (Aaron Donald) and worst (Greg Robinson) selections in the class.
I suppose the follow up to this article should be a poll on which team did the best in this years draft.
Maybe in 3-4 years.
for as much of a bust as manziel was, justin gilbert was just as bad for the browns