In the 2008 season, the Browns finished 4-12 in the regular season, finishing in last place in the AFC North. 2009 marked their first draft under new head coach Eric Mangini, who replaced Romeo Crennel in January.
The Browns have used eight of their last nine first-round selections on offensive players. They did not have a selection in 2008, but they used both of their 2007 first-round picks on offensive players.
- The Browns acquired the 19th pick in the first round and the 191st overall pick (6th round), in exchange for the 17th overall pick on April 25, 2009.
- The Browns acquired the 17th and 52nd picks in the 1st round, in addition to DE Kenyon Coleman, QB Brett Ratliff, and DB Abram Elam, in exchange for the 5th overall pick on April 25, 2009.
- The Browns acquired the 18th pick in the 2nd round (50th overall) and a 2010 5th-round pick from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for Kellen Winslow on Feb. 27, 2009.
- The Browns traded the 5th pick of the 3rd round (69th overall) to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2008 4th-round pick on April 27, 2008.
- The Browns traded the 5th pick of the 5th round (141st overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2008 6th-round pick on April 27, 2008.
- The Browns traded the 5th pick of the 7th round (241th overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Travis Daniels on Aug. 20, 2008.