Cleveland Browns and the origins of the NFL Draft: Part 2

Jay Berwanger, Maroon left halfback, as he returned the opening kickoff to the Chicago 31-yard line at the start of the game between the Maroons and Wisconsin at Chicago The 2026 edition of the NFL draft fast approaches. Fans of the Cleveland Browns are hoping this could be another foundational draft after the 2025 one was successful . Although the process of free agency can fill holes and provide quality depth, teams are built through the draft.

Every NFL club needs its first three rounds of draft picks to become dependable roster members in order to build the roster and become productive players. RELATED: ORIGINS OF THE NFL DRAFT PART 1 The NFL began in 1920 as the “American Professional Football Association. ” Two years later, the league name was changed to the “National Football League.

” Rosters did not have any guidelines on how they were to be formed. Teams signed whoever they wanted, for whatever amount of money. The norm back then was being paid per game instead of an annual salary.

Most NFL teams played their home games in baseball stadiums because they were large venues. The New York Football Giants played in a polo stadium. The league’s origins were that its teams were based in medium-to small-sized cities and towns, such as Portsmouth, OH; Muncie, IN; Rock Island, IL; Rochester, NY; Toledo, OH; Decatur, IL; Canton, OH; and Louisville, KY.