Dawgs By Nature
Many top picks in Browns NFL draft history have failed but Braylon Edwards’ departure connected to LeBron James
The number of reasons that top picks have failed for the Cleveland Browns is probably too long to mention. Lack of talent, injuries, being overdrafted, poor supporting cast and lack of motivation are some of the more normal reasons but, like most Browns history, there are a number of more exact reasons.
For years it had been rumored that WR Braylon Edwards, Cleveland’s top pick in 2005, was traded to the New York Jets due to a confrontation with LeBron James and/or his friends. Prior to the trade, Edwards wasn’t exactly living up to being selected with the third overall pick.
In his first four years with the Browns, Edwards had just one season over 1,000 yards and maxed out at 80 receptions. In the four games before the trade in 2009, Edwards had just 10 receptions for 139 yards.
The Jets GM at the time, Mike Tannenbaum, who had a crazy Myles Garrett trade proposal this week, confirmed that Edwards’ confrontation with James’ friends led to the trade happening quickly:
Edwards has spoken multiple times about his time in Cleveland at the same time as James including the fight that led to the trade. Edwards notes here that it wasn’t James’ friend but friends of a friend:
While the reasons Edwards failed with the Browns are more than this fight, it is just another interesting note in their NFL draft history.
