On Friday night, the Cleveland Browns will make the most expensive second-round pick in NFL Draft history. The 35th overall pick will sign a contract worth around $7 million but the Browns already purchased the pick for $16 million.
In March 2017, the Browns acquired one of the most overpaid players in NFL history, Brock Osweiler, from the Houston Texans, who foolishly awarded him a four-year, $72-million contract a year earlier. The deal had $37 million in guaranteed money, $21 million of which the Texans paid.
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The remaining $16 million, guaranteed for the 2017 season, was passed onto the Browns when the Texans traded Osweiler, along with a 2018 second-round pick and a 2017 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2017 fourth-round pick. Because it was possible that Osweiler would not even make the Browns' 2017 roster — and even though other picks were involved — they were essentially paying $16 million for a second-round pick.
The Browns now hold their own selection in the second round on Friday night (No. 33) and the Texans' selection (No. 35). And though they haven't made the 35th selection yet, entering the second round, do we think it was worth it?
After passing on Bradley Chubb with the fourth pick on Thursday, the Browns may go defensive end at either No. 33 or No. 35. If that's the case, Harold Landry, Josh Sweat or Sam Hubbard are the most likely picks. They may also opt for an offensive lineman like Connor Williams or Brian O'Neill.
The $23 million investment in the 35th pick is steep but the Browns had the cap space last year and the board is set up favorably.
