Washington hasn't look good, Coates is a bust, Bryant was a bust, Wheaton has done nothing this year. Out of this group, only one guy is a stud and still on the team. One guy was a stud (Sanders) and did really help them that season. Wallace was a decent #2.
In the most recent draft, instead of Washington, who hasn't contributed this year, they could have had Lorenzo Carter or Justin Ried, guys that would be a great asset to that subpar defense. A defense that will likely cost them a playoff win.
This strategy hasn't actually paid off as much as it may seem at first glance. Over the past six drafts, only two of these high pick guys have been worthwhile (Sanders and Juju). Their strategy would look awful without Brown.