Cleveland Browns

Browns defy all expectations by actually getting it right on Day 1 of draft

Published Apr. 29, 2016 1:07 a.m. ET

Andre Vergara

The Cleveland Browns' disastrous offseason took an unexpected turn for the better on Thursday night at the NFL Draft.

Unexpected because when the Browns traded the No. 2 pick in the draft to the Philadelphia Eagles, many critics believed they'd forfeited their chance at drafting a franchise QB, and predictions of draft day doom ran rampant.

Then on Thursday while they were on the clock, the Browns traded down again, sending the No. 8 pick to the Tennessee Titans for a package of picks including the No. 15 pick, and the critics cried out again.

The Browns in the first round like... pic.twitter.com/Q8Ueghs3r2
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) April 29, 2016

My reaction to the Browns trading again... pic.twitter.com/SIBycKbfl4
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) April 29, 2016

Admit it. We're all just here to see the @Browns do something stupid. #DraftDay
— BigHeadMel (@BigHeadSports) April 29, 2016

So by trading down from No. 2, #Browns have cost themselves a franchise QB and the two best Buckeyes. #100yearswar.
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) April 29, 2016

But when the dust settled and the Browns could show off their acquired arsenal of picks — including seven in the first 100 this year — things calmed down, and when they drafted Baylor's Corey Coleman, the top wide receiver on their board, at No. 15?

Well, people had to admit it: The Browns actually didn't screw it up this time.

According to @PFF we just drafted the No. 1 WR in the #2016NFLDraft.

?: https://t.co/qlqnCvQVxd #BrownsDraft pic.twitter.com/Bh9GdToH6f
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 29, 2016

The #Browns now own 7 picks in the top 100.#BrownsDraft
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 29, 2016

Browns get a boatload of picks and still get their #1 player at biggest position of need. Impressive. https://t.co/WQm8KDOmFg
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) April 29, 2016

Love when @browns draft an offensive weapon. Congrats #CoreyColeman
— The Miz (@mikethemiz) April 29, 2016

Huge get for the Browns! Congrats @TheCoreyColeman
— Bryce Petty (@b_petty14) April 29, 2016

"He's a dynamic playmaker. Think of Percy Harvin"

And he'll be catching passes for the @Browns next year. #NFLDraft https://t.co/LyN16cyPkd
— NFL (@NFL) April 29, 2016

RGIII, former @BUFootball QB, will now throw to fellow Baylor alum Corey Coleman!

Get pumped, @Browns fans!https://t.co/nhcIbGtYH3
— Campus Insiders (@CampusInsiders) April 29, 2016

Here's why Browns WR Corey Coleman is one of SI's Rising Stars.https://t.co/dRF36hc4OC
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 29, 2016

I'm getting slightly unnerved by all the good decisions coming from the #Browns right now #NFLDraft2016 #NFL
— Andrew Atkinson (@UTR_83) April 29, 2016

Like Tom Reed, I'm happy Browns are back in playmaker business. Read his column:... https://t.co/TXMyRxPKP2
— Terry Pluto (@terrypluto) April 29, 2016

Nobody will know for a couple of years, but top WR and more picks? @Browns sure seemed to have a strong night. @cleveland19news @WOIOSports
— Tony Zarrella (@TonyZ19) April 29, 2016

From Berea, @JennyVrentas weighs in on how the new @Browns regime is setting up nicely for the future.https://t.co/FMvNBRrho6
— The MMQB (@theMMQB) April 29, 2016

First round is over and #MSU Connor Cook available to #Browns at No. 32 tomorrow. I say do it. They've already gotten calls for the pick.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 29, 2016