The 28-year-old rookie who defied the standard NFL draft timeline
In short: Most NFL first-round picks are young prospects, but Brandon Weeden broke the mold. After a professional baseball career, he transitioned to college football and became the oldest player ever selected in the first round, proving that the path to professional football isn't always a straight line.
Brandon Weeden's journey to the NFL was anything but conventional. Before becoming a professional football quarterback, he spent several years pursuing a baseball career. Following his 2002 Major League Baseball draft selection by the New York Yankees in round two, he represented the Dodgers and Kansas City Royals until injuries and poor form forced his 2006 retirement. He was originally drafted by the Yankees in 2002. Later, he was traded to the Dodgers for Kevin Brown. He eventually played for the High Desert Mavericks in 2006.
In 2007, Weeden enrolled at Oklahoma State University, eventually leading the Cowboys to an 11–1 regular season and a BCS Tostitos Fiesta Bowl victory in 2012. His performance was so dominant that he broke several school records previously held by his coach, Mike Gundy. This collegiate success culminated in the 2012 NFL draft, where the Cleveland Browns selected him 22nd overall. He earned first-team All-Big 12 honours in 2010. During his senior year, he achieved a number 3 BCS ranking.
At 28, Weeden set the record as the oldest individual ever drafted during the first round of the NFL draft. He acted as the starter for the Browns throughout his debut year, subsequently serving as a backup for the Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, and Dallas Cowboys. His career highlights include a 3,385-yard season with the Browns in 2012 and a victory for the Texans against the Indianapolis Colts in 2015. He played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans. He also spent time with the Tennessee Titans.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Brandon Weeden
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