The Cleveland Browns have been the laughingstock of the NFL for the better part of the past 20 years, ever since the franchise returned to the NFL in 1999. But prior to their move to Baltimore, the team was one of the most dominant in NFL history, and to this day ranks ninth in total championships (four, plus four additional AAFC titles) despite no Super Bowl appearances. Cleveland's historical success means they've boasted some incredible players over the years, and here are the five best.
5. Paul Warfield, WR, 1964-1969, 1976-1977 – Hall of Fame 1983
271 catches, 5,210 yards, 52 touchdowns, three Pro Bowls, three All-Pro teams
Born in Warren, Ohio, Warfield starred for the Ohio State Buckeyes as both a running back and a defensive back. In 1964, the Browns kept him home by selecting him 11th overall. He switched to wide receiver, and over his six years with the team (one essentially lost to injury), he enjoyed five very productive seasons, winning the NFL Championship in 1964. Following the 1969 season, Warfield was shockingly traded to the Miami Dolphins, and won two Super Bowls in five seasons with the team. He returned to Cleveland and played his final two years with the Browns before retiring in 1978.
4. Ozzie Newsome, TE, 1978-1990 – Hall of Fame 1999
662 catches, 7,980 yards, 47 touchdowns, three Pro Bowls, one All-Pro team
Newsome is a polarizing figure in Cleveland sports. On one hand, he was a prolific player for the Browns during the team's most recent success. On the other hand, he was the architect of two Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl teams, and left his legacy by selecting Lamar Jackson in the 2018 draft. Whatever Newsome's contributions for the rival Ravens, his on-field play will never be forgotten.
Newsome, who played his entire 13-year career with the Browns, was as dependable as they come, missing just 10 games in his career and always making tough catches when they were needed. Newsome's stats may have been surpassed by more recent TEs like Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez, but he will forever be a legend, both on the field and in the front office, to the chagrin of Browns fans.
3. Joe Thomas, LT, 2007-2017
10 Pro Bowls, six All-Pro teams
When discussing the greatest offensive lineman of all time, Joe Thomas has to be in the conversation. Selected third overall in 2007, Thomas enjoyed a successful rookie year as the Browns went 10-6, narrowly missing the playoffs. For the rest of his career, Thomas would win no more than seven games in any season. He blocked for 21 different signal-callers, and played an absolutely incredible 10,363 consecutive snaps before suffering an injury in Week 8 of the 2017 campaign. His snap streak is thought to be by far the longest in NFL history, and is highly unlikely to ever be matched. He will almost certainly be a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2023; if he isn't, it will be a travesty. It's very difficult to overstate just how good he was. These days, he is serving as a mentor to new Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills, who couldn't ask for a better player and man to look up to.
2. Otto Graham, QB, 1946-1955 – Hall of Fame 1965
23,584 passing yards, 174 passing touchdowns, 882 rushing yards, 44 rushing touchdowns, five Pro Bowls, five All-Pro teams, three MVPs
Tom Brady is widely considered to be the greatest quarterback in NFL history. But Graham has a very strong argument. He spent 10 years with the Browns, playing every single game, leading his team to 10 consecutive championship games, and winning seven titles. He threw for 23,584 yards and 174 touchdowns, in an era before the forward pass took hold of the game. Graham still holds the NFL record for career yards per attempt at 8.63, and career winning percentage at .810. Calling him dominant is an understatement, and it's a shame his accomplishments don't receive more attention. Graham passed away in 2003 at the age of 82, but his legacy will live forever.
1. Jim Brown, RB, 1957-1965 – Hall of Fame 1971
12,312 rushing yards, 106 rushing touchdowns, 2,499 receiving yards, 20 receiving touchdowns, nine Pro Bowls, nine All-Pro teams, three MVPs
Jim Brown has a very strong case as the best player in NFL history. What Brown did in just nine seasons in nothing short of incredible. His massive 6'2′ 232lbs frame made him a terror to tackle, and his breakaway speed left defenders in the dust.
At the age of 29, Brown abruptly retired to pursue an acting career, in which he found success, but not at the level of his gridiron days. Even though he played just nine seasons, Brown still ranks 11th all-time in rushing yards and sixth in rushing touchdowns.
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