Fansided

30 biggest draft busts in NFL history

By Nathaniel Reeves

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 24: Ryan Leaf
SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 24: Ryan Leaf /
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18 Nov 2001 : Courtney Brown of the Cleveland Browns during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at PSINet Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The Browns won 27-17. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger/Allsport
18 Nov 2001 : Courtney Brown of the Cleveland Browns during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at PSINet Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The Browns won 27-17. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger/Allsport /

13. Courtney Brown, DE, Cleveland Browns

Immediately after being reborn in 1999, the new Browns franchise misfired on a pair of No. 1 picks: Brown and Couch. The Couch pick receives more attention, but Brown was a bigger bust. He seriously struggled in his brief NFL career and his failures perfectly represent Cleveland’s poor draft record during the era.

During his upperclassmen years at Penn State, Brown put up incredible stats, some of which are still school records. Brown was named a consensus All-American and won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Lombardi Award in 1999, leading the Nittany Lions to a 10-3 season. His 33 career sacks were a then-NCAA record, and he also racked up 70 tackles for loss in his career.

With size, speed and an ability to both pass rush and stop the run, Brown was thought of as a consensus top three player in the 2000 NFL draft. Cleveland decided to select him first overall, right ahead of college teammate LaVar Arrington, but Brown was never able to turn into a force in the NFL.

Brown showed flashes of his talent in his rookie season, compiling 69 tackles and 4.5 sacks. However, injuries would begin to limit him after that, as Brown missed 34 games from 2004-2005.

The Broncos acquired Brown in 2005, his last season in the NFL. Brown finished his career with 19 sacks and 155 tackles.

Next: 12. Aaron Curry, LB, Seattle Seahawks

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