In the weeks leading up to the draft, Myles Garrett seemed like the clear choice for the Browns with the No. 1 pick despite the team’s need at quarterback. In the final days before the draft, though, rumors started circulating that Cleveland may go with Mitchell Trubisky instead. For the first time since 2006, we have no idea who the first overall pick will actually be.
It’s been 11 years since there was drama over the No. 1 NFL draft pick
Myles Garrett or Mitchell Trubisky? The Browns aren’t making it easy to guess who will go first overall.
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Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
Last year, there was no intrigue with the top pick. The Rams traded up to take Jared Goff first overall, and we knew well before Goff’s name was called on draft night. It was the same in 2015, when the Buccaneers landed Jameis Winston.
Everyone expected Jadeveon Clowney to be the first player off the board to the Texans in 2014, which was the first time a defensive player had been drafted first overall since the Texans did it back in 2006 with Mario Williams.
Eric Fisher was the expected top pick for the Chiefs in 2013. After moving on from Peyton Manning, there was no question Andrew Luck would be the Colts’ pick in 2012. Same thing with Cam Newton to the Panthers in 2011, Sam Bradford to the Rams in 2010, and Matthew Stafford to the Lions in 2009.
Jake Long as the first overall pick for the Dolphins wasn’t a surprise, and nobody was shocked when Al Davis went with JaMarcus Russell for the Raiders in 2007. You have to go all the way back to 2006, when the Texans took Williams, for some uncertainty surrounding the top pick.
That was the year that Vince Young and Reggie Bush both entered the draft. The expectation was that the Texans would draft David Carr’s replacement in Young or a sure thing at running back in Bush. Instead, they went with Williams, surprising commentators and fans alike.
Bush landed with the Saints with the second overall pick, and Young went to the Titans third overall.
It remains to be seen which direction the Browns will go at No. 1. Garrett is the safer bet, and Cleveland really can’t afford to screw this up. Trubisky has limited experience as a starter, and the top pick is a lot to invest in someone who isn’t a surefire franchise quarterback. But with Adam Schefter reporting that the Browns are seriously considering using the top pick on Trubisky, we all may be surprised when Cleveland’s top pick is announced.
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