Who are the ten finest gamers in Browns historical past?

Younger followers may not imagine it, however the Cleveland Browns are one of the vital historic franchises in soccer historical past.

The Browns had one of the vital dominant stretches ever in skilled sports activities of their first 10 seasons as a franchise, successful 4 AAFC titles earlier than capturing an NFL title in three of their first six seasons within the league. The Browns added one other NFL title in 1964 earlier than the merger, as they constantly remained one of many league’s finest groups all through the Fifties and Nineteen Sixties.

Cleveland practically reached those self same heights once more within the Eighties, however hasn’t received a title since final successful in 1964. However, there have been many nice gamers who’ve made their method to Cleveland over the course of their careers.

But who’re the perfect gamers to ever play for the Browns? Here are the highest 10, through FOX Sports Research.

10. Clay Matthews Jr. (1978-1993)

Decades earlier than his son grew to become a star for the Green Bay Packers, Clay Matthews Jr. additionally beat opposing quarterbacks on a number of events. He spent most of his exceptional 19-year profession in Cleveland, together with his 1,561 profession tackles unofficially rating third all-time. He led the league in tackles 4 instances with the Browns. He was additionally a Pro Bowler for 4 seasons throughout his time in Cleveland, a few of these years coinciding together with his journeys to the AFC Championship Game. He additionally made one of many largest performs in Browns historical past when he intercepted Jim Kelly on the aim line to assist beat the Buffalo Bills within the 1989 postseason.

Garrett was arguably the largest purpose the Browns rose from the underside of the league to a pair of playoff appearances in a four-year span. After being chosen by the Browns with the No. 1 choose within the 2017 draft, Garrett has constantly been among the many league’s finest go rushers. He has recorded at the least 10 sacks yearly since his sophomore season, incomes 5 Pro Bowl nominations. He received Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023, when he posted 14 sacks and 4 pressured fumbles to assist Cleveland attain the postseason. He leads the league in sacks in 2024 (14) coming into the ultimate week of the common season, as he’s set to complete within the high 10 in sacks for the sixth time in eight seasons.

8. Paul Warfield (1964-1969, 1976-1977)

Most NFL followers most likely join Warfield’s Hall of Fame profession to his time with the Miami Dolphins, the place he received two Super Bowls. But he additionally had a productive profession with the Browns, the primary workforce he was part of. He had 52 receptions for 920 yards and 9 touchdowns as a rookie in 1964, transferring to huge receiver after the workforce drafted him. He performed working again in school, and a few thought he would play defensive finish within the NFL. The Browns received an NFL title that yr, their ultimate championship season. Warfield led the NFL in landing receptions 4 years later with 12. He earned three Pro Bowl nominations throughout his profession with the Browns, selecting to rejoin the franchise after taking part in within the WFL for one yr.

7. Dante Lavelli (1946-1956)

Lavelli was one of many biggest gamers in Browns historical past, becoming a member of the workforce by a tryout throughout coaching camp earlier than the inaugural season. He instantly shaped a robust bond with Otto Graham, main the AAFC in receptions (40) and receiving yards (843) throughout his rookie season. That yr marked the primary of 4 consecutive AAFC titles for the Browns earlier than the league disbanded. Lavelli continued to dominate, nevertheless, even when the Browns entered the NFL, main them to 3 titles. He caught 11 passes and two touchdowns within the Browns’ first NFL title win, which helped earn him the nickname “Mr. Clutch.” He additionally helped kind the NFLPA just a few years later, earlier than his retirement.

6. Leroy Kelly (1964-1973)

The Browns had been capable of exchange one Hall of Fame working again with one other in the course of the Nineteen Sixties, with Kelly succeeding Jim Brown. Kelly, who initially backed up Brown earlier than taking the reins because the Browns beginning working again, had three straight 1,000-yard years when he took over once more in Cleveland. He led the league in speeding touchdowns all three years, main the league in yards and yards per carry twice. He additionally completed within the high 5 in MVP voting annually whereas incomes six consecutive Pro Bowl nominations, serving to the Browns attain the NFL championship recreation twice following Brown’s retirement.

5. Ozzie Newsome (1978-90)

Newsome has had an extremely robust profession as a entrance workplace government for the Baltimore Ravens. But he was much more expert as a participant, changing into among the finest tight ends of all time taking part in for the Browns within the Eighties. After serving to the Browns attain the AFC Championship Game 3 times, Newsome was named a Pro Bowler 3 times throughout his profession. He spent all 13 seasons of his NFL profession with the Browns, recording 662 receptions for 7,980 yards and 47 touchdowns. Upon his retirement, Newsome had essentially the most receptions and yards ever for a good finish, serving to him change into a Hall of Famer.

4.Joe Thomas (2007-17)

Thomas might have by no means been on a great Browns workforce, however not many gamers in league historical past have been as constantly good as him all through their careers. The Hall of Fame offensive sort out was a Pro Bowler in every of his first 10 seasons, changing into the primary participant to play 10,000 consecutive snaps on his facet of the ball. However, that streak led to his ultimate season, when he tore his triceps in 2017. That ended up ending Thomas’ profession, leaving the sport as one of many highest-rated offensive linemen in league historical past.

3. Lou Groza (1946-69; 60-67)

While many may affiliate Groza’s greatness together with his kicking capacity, he was additionally an impressive offensive sort out for the Browns of their first seasons as a franchise, taking part in that position throughout their first three NFL championships. Joining the workforce in its inaugural season, Groza additionally helped the Browns win 4 AAFC titles, setting a document for the longest skilled area aim made throughout that point. Groza was named a Pro Bowler 9 instances throughout his profession, main the NFL in area aim share 5 instances. He additionally held the NFL profession scoring document on the time of his second retirement in 1967.

2. Otto Graham (1946-55)

Every dynasty wants an awesome quarterback. Graham performed that position for the Browns, instantly reworking Cleveland into among the finest organizations in skilled sports activities when he joined them for his inaugural season. Graham helped the Browns win 4 AAFC titles earlier than main them to 3 NFL championships, successful a title in seven of his 10 seasons. Since there have been doubts as as to whether Graham and the Browns’ dominance would transition from the AAFC to the NFL, he dismissed them instantly. He led the Browns to the title of their first yr within the NFL earlier than successful his first of three NFL MVPs a yr later. He additionally led the NFL in passing twice, touchdowns as soon as and completion share 3 times.

1.Jim Brown (1957-65)

The Browns may have had the 2 finest pre-merger gamers in NFL historical past play for his or her franchise. Just two seasons after Graham’s dominant and constant reign in Cleveland ended, Brown supplied the identical factor for the Browns. Brown was a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro (eight first-team) in all 9 of his skilled seasons, establishing himself on the time as the perfect working again in NFL historical past. Because he led the league in speeding in all however one season of his profession, Brown received MVP 3 times, successful it in seasons through which he additionally led the league in speeding touchdowns. Brown lastly received his first and solely title in 1964, his penultimate season within the league. He retired with the document for speeding yards (12,312), which might not be damaged for 19 years after his retirement. But his 104.3 speeding yards per recreation stay essentially the most in NFL historical past.

Honorable Mentions:

• Frank Gatski
• Mike McCormack
• Marion Motley
• Ford solely
• Bill Willis
• Joe De Lamielleure
• Phil Daws

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