The Cleveland Browns had spent three years with its operations suspended after Art Modell had relocated the Browns' organization and players to Baltimore, Maryland to form the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the 1995 NFL season.

Upon returning to the league, in order to become competitive with existing teams, the Browns were awarded the first pick in the 1999 NFL draft, and the league gave the Browns the opportunity to select current players from the other teams.

That selection was provided by the 1999 National Football League expansion draft, held on February 9, 1999.

The team had the opportunity to draft quarterback Kurt Warner, that 1999 season's eventual NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion, but declined to do so.

However, prior to the 1999 season Warner had not yet started an NFL game and only had four completions in 11 passing attempts in the league.