The NFL draft starts tonight in Kansas City with the Carolina Panthers, after a trade-up, having the top overall selection. For a couple of decades, the NFL draft has “been the Super Bowl” for Cleveland Browns fans. Hope sprung eternal every April when the annual event rolled around for Cleveland’s loyal supporters who, generally, suffered through another losing season the previous year.
Starting last year, that hope and the excitement around the draft has faded for the Browns. The trade for QB Deshaun Watson dealt away many future selections including three first-round picks while other trades also moved the team out of the second round in back-to-back seasons.