BEREA, Ohio – The Browns shook things up during Thursday night’s opening round of the NFL draft before making the most of their two first-round picks.
They selected Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert at No. 8 and Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel with the 22nd.
College football’s most exciting player, “Johnny Football” will certainly sell tickets in Cleveland, but the Browns need him to win and there are questions about the 5’11” QB’s durability.
Manziel, who walked on Radio Music City Hall’s stage doing his signature “money” gesture, is expected to compete with Brian Hoyer, who is coming off knee surgery.
The Browns made two earlier trades and passed on Manziel. With a chance to land him again, the Browns traded with Philadelphia and jumped from No. 26 to No. 22.
With the first deal of the draft, the Browns moved down five spots and acquired Buffalo’s No. 9 pick and first- and fourth-round picks next year. Cleveland then swapped picks with Minnesota, acquiring a fifth-rounder before taking Gilbert, who can play on the opposite side of Pro Bowler Joe Haden.
The 6-foot, 202-pound Gilbert had seven interceptions last season, returning two for touchdowns.
Cleveland entered the most important draft in its expansion era with 10 picks, ample ammunition for new general manager Ray Farmer to add talent and depth to a team that went 4-12 last season.