Former Browns wide receiver Brian Robiskie is now the problem of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who signed him off waivers Wednesday.
But Robiskie's release is a further indictment of the team's draft in 2009. The 2009 draft, orchestrated by former head coach Eric Mangini, was to be the one that turned the franchise around. Instead, it is one of the major reasons the Browns continue to be a below-average team.
Entering the draft, the Browns initially had the fifth overall pick. Three trade backs later, the Browns had the 21st pick and nine picks overall that year. Following the release of Robiskie, only three of those players remain -- center Alex Mack, wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and linebacker Kaluka Maiava.
Compared to fellow second-round pick David Veikune, Robiskie was a superstar for the Browns. Veikune, picked 52nd overall, rarely saw the field for the Browns and cut prior to the start of the 2010 season. Robiskie, taken 36th, had a storybook tale ready to be written. He was a former Browns ball boy who was a consistent producer for area darling Ohio State. Robiskie was considered an NFL-ready wide receiver because of his size and hands. It was to be perfect.
Alas, 31 games later, Robiskie finished his Browns career with 39 receptions for 441 yards and three touchdowns. Of the Browns' five regular wide receivers this year, Robiskie had the worst stats with three receptions and 25 yards. That's despite being a starter at times this season. Jordan Norwood's play against the 49ers Sunday helped make Robiskie even more expendable. Norwood, who went undrafted in 2009, tied for the team lead with five receptions. It wasn't a dominant performance, but it was still more catches than Robiskie had all season.
At least Robiskie did that much. Sixth-round pick Don Carey didn't even make it onto the roster and was waived due to a shoulder injury. Fellow sixth-round pick Coye Francies was waived before the 2010 season. Seventh-round pick James Davis was cut at the beginning of last season.
Fortunately troubles from the 2009 draft aren't exclusive to the Browns. As John Clayton of ESPN noted on Twitter, Robiskie is the ninth first- or second-round pick from the 2009 draft to be released.
For a fun look back, check out the 2009 draft-day live thread from Dawgs By Nature. On that day, I was told by a source the Browns wouldn't be making a trade that day. If only I'd been right.