The Cleveland Browns have had some struggles in the past pair of decades, but they have still had some great draft picks, especially during the 1960's and 1970's.
Let's break down the five best draft steals in Browns history.
5. Mitchell Schwartz, 2012, Round 2, Pick 37
The 2012 NFL draft didn't work out well for the most part for the Browns, but there was one pick that was among the best steals in team history. The Browns moved up from No. 4 to three to select running back Trent Richardson. With their second selection in the first round, the Browns selected quarterback Brandon Weeden, who is one of the biggest Browns busts of all time.
But in the second round, the Browns selected Mitchell Schwartz with the 37th-overall pick. Schwartz then became a Day 1 starter at right tackle for Cleveland. He spent three more seasons with the team, starting all 16 games in each of those years. He never missed one offensive snap during his time with the Browns. He then moved on to the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent.
4. Gene Hickerson, 1957, Round 7, Pick 78
After being a seventh-round pick in the 1957 draft, Gene Hickerson became one of the best offensive lineman in team history. Hickerson played guard from 1958 through 1973 with the Browns. Hickerson had great speed for the position and did a great job of being a lead blocker.
During his career, Hickerson was key in blocking for some of the greatest running backs for the era, including Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly. Hickerson was named to five Pro Bowls during his career and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
3. Brian Sipe, 1972, Round 13, Pick 330
Brian Sipe was selected in the 13th round of the 1972 draft and there were some questions if he would even make the team out of camp. But by his third season in the NFL, he was the Browns starting quarterback. He ended up making 112 starts in his career and went 57-55. The win-loss percentage isn't great but considering where he was drafted, it was a relative overachievement.
During the 1980 season, Sipe threw for 4,132 yards and 30 touchdowns. That was enough to come away with the Most Valuable Player award.
2. Earnest Byner, 1984, Round 10, Pick 280
The Browns selected Earnest Byner was selected in the 10th round of the 1984 draft and had two separate stints with the team. Byner was a do-it-all weapon for the Browns playing running back, wide receiver and returning kicks.
In his second year with the Browns he rushed for 1,002 yards rushing, had 460 yards receiving and accounted for 10 touchdowns. He also split carries that season which makes his rushing yardage even more impressive. Byner left the Browns after the 1988 season to join the Washington Redskins. In 1994, Byner returned to Cleveland for two more years and, in 1996, he moved with the team when they became the Baltimore Ravens.
1. Leroy Kelly, 1964, Round 8, Pick 110
There were only 14 teams in the league when Leroy Kelly was selected 110th overall in the 1964 draft. When Kelly joined the Browns, Jim Brown was still on the roster. In his first few years, when Brown was still playing, he was an elite kick returner. The 1966 season is when he really started to take off as a running back, playing in 14 games and rushing for 1,141 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Kelly played 10 seasons with the Browns and was named to six Pro Bowls. He ended his career rushing for 7,424 yards and 74 touchdowns. When he was drafted in the eighth round he was an afterthought, so the fact he became one of the best players in franchise history is impressive.
If Brown wouldn't have been around for when Kelly began his career in the league, he likely would have had even more success.
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