Browns can land top talent at or after the 44th pick in the NFL Draft, as recent history proves

Cleveland Browns vs. Green Bay Packers, December 25, 2021

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams goes airborne after being hit by Cleveland Browns cornerback M.J. Stewart on a lunge for the end zone after a reception in the first half at Lambeau Field.John Kuntz, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — When the Browns make their first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft with the draft’s No. 44 selection, they could make a splash.

Time will tell.

Last year, they added Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah from Notre Dame after he slid to Day 2. Two years ago, they took safety Grant Delpit from LSU after he slid in the draft.

It’s a little too early to compare recent second-round picks to players with close to a decade of experience. Here are 15 of the best players picked at No. 44 or later in the second round in the last decade, providing a sample of best-case-scenarios for the Browns at this spot on Friday, April 29.

Metcalf, Diggs

Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, right, attempts to make a reception as Cowboys defensive back Trevon Diggs defends.(Associated Press)

Trevon Diggs, Alabama cornerback

Selection: No. 51 in 2020

Drafted by: Dallas

About the pick: Diggs earned an All-Pro selection last season with a league-high 11 interceptions. He ran back two for touchdowns, following up on a stellar rookie season in which he picked off three passes. He is the brother of Buffalo Bills receiver Stefon Diggs.

D.K. Metcalf, Mississippi wide receiver

Selection: No. 64 in 2019

Drafted by: Seattle

About the pick: Trade rumors have surrounded Metcalf this offseason as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. He has already amassed 3,000 yards receiving with a career-high 1,303 in 2020 that earned him a Pro Bowl nod. Just 13 picks before Metcalf in the 2019 draft, another Pro Bowl receiver went to the Titans in A.J. Brown (his college teammate). Metcalf is the son of former NFL guard Terry Metcalf.

Derrick Henry, Alabama running back

Selection: No. 45 in 2016

Drafted by: Tennessee

About the pick: The Titans have built a physical ground game around Henry, who arrived at Tennessee playing behind Pro Bowl running back Demarco Murray. By Year 3, Henry took over as the main back and rushed for 1,000 yards. In Year 4, he led the league in rushing. In Year 5, he ran for a league-high 2,027 yards.

Michael Thomas, Ohio State wide receiver

Selection: No. 47 in 2016

Drafted by: New Orleans

About the pick: The Saints restructured Thomas’ contract this offseason after injuries cost him his 2021 season. The former Ohio State standout made three straight Pro Bowls with consecutive All-Pro nods through 2019, when he led the league in receptions and receiving yards.

frank clark

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark (55) sacks Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4).AP

Frank Clark, Michigan edge rusher

Selection: No. 63 in 2015

Drafted by: Seattle

About the pick: The Glenville graduate took off in his second year with the Seahawks, finishing with 10 sacks. He followed up with nine the next year and a career-high 13 in 2018, his final season in Seattle. The Seahawks traded him to Kansas City for a first-rounder and a swap of some more picks. He has since made three straight Pro Bowls with the Chiefs.

Davante Adams, Fresno State wide receiver

Selection: No. 53 in 2014

Drafted by: Green Bay

About the pick: Adams caught balls in college from Derek Carr, who he is reunited with in Las Vegas, which traded a first-rounder this offseason to Green Bay to get him. Adams has two All-Pros and five Pro Bowls to his credit, all since 2017 with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

Allen Robinson, Penn State wide receiver

Selection: No. 61 in 2014

Drafted by: Jacksonville

About the pick: The selection of Robinson paid off for the Jaguars in his second year with a league-high 14 touchdown receptions and a Pro Bowl appearance. He missed most of the 2017 season with Jacksonville because of injury, then signed with Chicago. Robinson had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and ‘20. The Los Angeles Rams signed him this offseason.

Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois quarterback

Selection: No. 62 in 2014

Drafted by: New England

About the pick: Garoppolo won a few games in relief of Tom Brady while with the Patriots, and that netted him a lucrative deal with San Francisco. The 49ers acquired him from New England for a second-round pick. Even when San Francisco drafted Trey Lance last year, Garoppolo guided the ‘Niners back to the playoffs. His 33-14 career record includes a run to the Super Bowl with San Francisco.

Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals, January 9, 2022

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry waves to fans as he exits the field after their win over the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Jarvis Landry, LSU wide receiver

Selection: No. 63 in 2014

Drafted by: Miami

About the pick: Landry gave the Dolphins three Pro Bowl seasons, four with at least 84 receptions, before trading him to the Browns. He put together two more Pro Bowl seasons, but is now a free agent this offseason after a (potentially temporary?) parting with the Browns. Landry’s 688 career receptions lead his draft class. Adams is second at 669.

Kiko Alonso, Oregon linebacker

Selection: No. 46 in 2013

Drafted by: Buffalo

About the pick: The Pro Football Writers Association’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2013, Alonso never quite recaptured that play of his initial season, but he brought value to the teams he played for — going to Philadelphia after that rookie season in a trade for LeSean McCoy, who made three more Pro Bowls with the Bills.

Le’Veon Bell, Michigan State running back

Selection: No. 48 in 2013

Drafted by: Pittsburgh

About the pick: Bell’s time in Pittsburgh might ultimately be remembered for his holdout in the 2018 season, which led to him joining the New York Jets. His first five seasons with the Steelers still netted two All-Pro nods, three Pro Bowl selections and three 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Jamie Collins

Browns linebacker Jamie Collins sits in an ice bath after training camp, July 30, 2017, in Berea.cleveland.com

Jamie Collins, Southern Miss linebacker

Selection: No. 52 in 2013

Drafted by: New England

About the pick: Collins won two Super Bowls with the Patriots, who traded him to the Browns in 2016 for a third-round pick. Collins made the Pro Bowl in 2015 with the Patriots.

Eddie Lacy, Alabama running back

Selection: No. 61 in 2013

Drafted by: Green Bay

About the pick: Lacy was the offensive rookie of the year in 2013 and made the Pro Bowl in his first of consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. His play regressed after that, spending only four years in Green Bay, plus a fifth in Seattle.

Bobby Wagner, Utah State linebacker

Selection: No. 47 in 2012

Drafted by: Seattle

About the pick: Longevity matters at this point, looking back on picks made 10 years ago. Wagner not only provides that, but has remained at a high level with his eighth straight Pro Bowl nod. He’s also made six All-Pro teams and twice led the league in tackles. Wagner’s tenure with the Seahawks ended this offseason, when he signed with the Los Angeles Rams.

Lavonte David, Nebraska linebacker

Selection: No. 58 in 2012

Drafted by: Tampa Bay

About the pick: The veteran linebacker re-signed last year with Tampa Bay for two years and $25 million after helping the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl. He’s remained with the Bucs after starting his career with a bang, making the All-Pro team in his second season and earning another Pro Bowl nod two years later. David has totaled at least 100 tackles in all but two of his 10 seasons.

If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information.

Browns affiliate gear 2022

-

Get the latest Browns merchandise: Here’s where you can order Cleveland Browns gear online, including jerseys, T-shirts, hoodies, hats and much more.


Buy Browns gear: Fanatics, NFL Shop, Amazon, Lids


More Browns coverage

Everything Berry said Friday: Transcript

Time to close the book on Mayfield? Podcast

Trading up into the first round and other takeaways: Berea Report

Now the draft begins, so does the hard part for Browns: Pluto

Berry says trade up ‘unlikely’

Berry: Team was transparent with Mayfield’s reps

UConn DT Jones could be another piece for defense: Film review

Watson, Garrett planning team-building trips: Takeaways

Browns should keep searching for TE superstar: Lesmerises

With new look Browns, are they really better? Pluto

Ranking the best Browns third-round picks

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.