NFL's worst-drafting teams of the decade: Browns are clear choice for No. 1

Lorenzo Reyes | USA TODAY

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When they traded 2016 first-round draft pick Corey Coleman to the Bills on Sunday night, the Cleveland Browns confirmed what had long been clear to many.

No other franchise comes close for the title of the decade's worst-drafting NFL team so far.

In weighing how teams had fared so far, USA TODAY Sports looking at the draft classes from 2010-16 (the most recent two classes were omitted so as to withhold judgment on several players who have yet to see the field). Key considerations included how teams had capitalized on their draft capital, including how many of the early round picks remained on their original roster.

1. Cleveland Browns

The Browns not only whiffed badly on their first-round selections — not one of their 10 is still on the roster, and three out of the league altogether — but they also missed on many Day 2 and 3 selections. Perhaps just as painful, however, is that 17 players selected in Rounds 1-3 are currently playing for other teams.

In essence, that last point indicates that the Browns did draft some talented players —including offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz (now with the Chiefs), pass rusher Jabaal Sheard (Colts) and defensive tackle Danny Shelton (Patriots). Many others, however, were former top picks like Coleman who wore out their welcome in Cleveland or were traded for pennies on the dollar.

Making matters worse, the Browns passed on quarterbacks Carson Wentz, now with the Eagles, and Deshaun Watson, now with the Texans, in recent first rounds despite having a glaring need at the position. Chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta even went as far as saying in a radio appearance two years ago that the organization didn’t think Wentz, who was an MVP candidate last season prior to tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, was a top 20 NFL quarterback.

2. Buffalo Bills

The incongruity of Buffalo's current roster and its drafting history stems from a purge of players selected under the previous regime of coach Rex Ryan and general manager Doug Whaley. Of their draft classes from 2010-16, the Bills have kept just four — four! — players.

In fact, Buffalo does not employ one player from any of its classes from 2010 through 2014.

The Bills had 12 players selected in the first three rounds of those classes end up with other teams. Some of them, such as cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore (Patriots) and Ronald Darby (Eagles), are high-end starters.

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3. New York Jets

New York's first-round record was far from sterling during this stretch, with Kyle Wilson, Quinton Coples, Dee Milliner and Calvin Pryor all failing to reach a second contract with the team. But New York's second round haul from 2012-16 was just as bad, if not worse. Wide receiver Stephen Hill, quarterback Geno Smith, tight end Jace Amaro, wide receiver Devin Smith and quarterback Christian Hackenberg. None remain with the team, and Smith and Amaro are the only two who remain on NFL rosters.

Perhaps a vestige of the Ryan era, the Jets took high-risk players who flashed athleticism but couldn’t translate their skill sets on the field. They tied with the 49ers for most first-round players (four) to wash out of the league in that span.

4. San Francisco 49ers

The Niners are trending upward with John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan at the helm. But previous general manager Trent Baalke's spotty drafting record and organizational upheaval led to a depletion of home-grown talent.

Just two players from the 2010-14 drafts, 2014 first-round defensive back Jimmie Ward and 2011 seventh-round guard Mike Person, remain on the roster.

5. Indianapolis Colts

If it weren’t for quarterback Andrew Luck, who was taken first overall in the 2012 draft, Indy would likely be a lot higher on this list. The Colts are still paying for short-sighted picks and insufficient investment on the defense and offensive lines.

One of the most glaring issues for the Colts has been merely identifying NFL-caliber talent. Of all teams on this list, the Colts have the fewest draft selections from that span who remain in the league with just 23.

6. Denver Broncos

The Broncos did win Super Bowl 50 with plenty of homegrown talent. And Denver has selected a few upper tier players with their first-round picks, namely linebacker Von Miller and receiver Demaryius Thomas.

But finding a quarterback in the draft has been the Broncos' Achilles heel. Denver used three of its first- or second-round draft picks from 2010-16 on quarterbacks, and none — Tim Tebow, Brock Osweiler, and Paxton Lynch — proved to be the long-term answer the team needed.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.

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