The NFL is celebrating its 100th season in 2019, bringing an air of history and remembrance of great players and teams.
The Cleveland Browns, who began play in 1946 in the All-America Football Conference and joined the NFL in 1950, also have a rich tradition.
With that in mind, Browns Wire ranks the top 100 players in franchise history.
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100. QB Baker Mayfield (2018-present)
Mayfield has played just one season, but what a season it was. The No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft threw 27 touchdown passes, most ever by an NFL rookie, in just 13 starts. The radical impact Mayfield’s talent and leadership had on the franchise has quickly launched a new era of expectations in Cleveland.
99. LB Tom Cousineau (1982-1985)
A Cleveland native, Cousineau returned to his hometown to play for the Browns after starting his career in the CFL. He played four years as a starting linebacker and led the team in tackles three times. Cousineau never lived up to his considerable hype coming out of Ohio State and in Canada but still turned in a solid professional career.
98. LS Ryan Pontbriand (2003-2011)
It raised eyebrows when the Browns drafted a long snapper in the fifth round in 2003, but Pontbriand made the investment pay off. He earned two Pro Bowl nods and never recorded an errant punt snap in his nine-year career with the Browns.
97. DE Courtney Brown (2000-2004)
Brown’s career in Cleveland got off to a productive start, but injuries eventually ravaged the No. 1 overall pick of the 2000 NFL Draft. He bagged 4.5 sacks and registered 16 tackles for loss among his 69 tackles as a rookie. Unfortunately, he was injured midway through the 2001 campaign and would deal with health issues through the rest of his career. Brown did manage to record six sacks in 13 games for the Browns in 2003.
96. OT Monte Clark (1964-1969)
Clark played the final six seasons of his NFL career with the Browns, primarily serving as the team’s starting right tackle. He was known for being a pass protection specialist. Clark battled knee injuries throughout his career, limiting his ceiling. He later became head coach of the 49ers and Lions.
95. QB Bill Nelsen (1968-1972)
Nelsen was the Browns’ starting quarterback for five seasons, defecting to Cleveland after five years with the rival Steelers. The Browns made the playoffs in consecutive years with Nelsen under center in 1968 and 1969. He made his only career Pro Bowl in 1969, throwing for 2,743 yards and 23 touchdowns.
94. OLB Willie McGinest (2006-2008)
McGinest joined the Browns for the final three seasons of his illustrious career. While his best days were behind him, McGinest still flashed the ability to make blockers look silly as a pass-rushing specialist.
93. K/P Don Cockroft (1968-1980)
Cockroft handled both punting and placekicking duties for the Browns from 1968 to 1976 before moving solely to kicker for his final four seasons. He led the NFL in field-goal accuracy in 1968, 1972 and 1974, and ranked in the top 10 in punting average three times as well.
92. WR Michael Jackson (1991-1995)
Jackson led the Browns in receiving yards three times and scored 28 touchdowns in his five seasons with the team. His yards per reception average of 16.5 in his Browns career was bolstered by ranking in the league’s top 10 in 1993 and 1995.
91. LB Andra Davis (2002-2008)
The sure-tackling Davis made stops all over the field in his seven seasons with the Browns. Davis was also good in coverage, but he was known best for making stops. He finished among the league’s top 10 tacklers in both 2003 and 2005. Davis was named the team’s MVP by the Pro Football Writers Association in 2003.
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90. WR Reggie Rucker (1975-81)
Rucker played the final seven seasons of his 12-year NFL career with the Browns. In his odd (for a wide receiver) No. 33 jersey, Rucker led the Browns in receiving yards four straight years from 1975 through 1978. He posted 893 yards and eight touchdowns in 1978, his best professional season.
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89. KR Gerald McNeil (1986-1989)
The “Ice Cube” was one of the NFL’s most electrifying return men during his time in Cleveland. He finished in the top 10 in punt return yards in all four of his Browns seasons and was famous for his daring style despite being the smallest player (5-foot-7, 145 pounds) in Browns history. The diminutive McNeil made the Pro Bowl in 1987.
88. WR Kevin Johnson (1999-2003)
Johnson led the Browns in receiving yards three straight seasons following the rebirth of the team in 1999. He wasn’t a star, but his go-to-work attitude and effort earned him respect from fans. Johnson played five seasons for the Browns and caught 315 total passes in Cleveland.
87. DT Lyle Alzado (1979-1981)
He only spent three seasons with the Browns, but the fearsome Alzado made quite an impression. He earned first-team All-Pro status in 1980. Although sacks were not recorded by the NFL until 1982, Alzado unofficially racked up at least seven in each of his three years in Cleveland. He achieved greater fame later as a member of the Raiders and as an actor upon his retirement.
86. LB Jamir Miller (1999-2001)
Miller spent the final three seasons of his NFL career with the Browns. He saved his best for last, earning his only Pro Bowl roster spot and first-team All-Pro honors in 2001 thanks to his 13 sacks, 99 tackles, four forced fumbles and 14 passes defended.
85. OG Robert Jackson (1975-1985)
Jackson was a consistent starter on the Browns offensive line who was regarded well by teammates and observers. He missed only three games in his 11-year NFL career, all of which was spent in Cleveland. Jackson was named as a Browns Legend by the franchise in September 2014.
84. K Matt Bahr (1981-1989)
Bahr served capably as the Browns kicker for almost the entire decade of the 1980s and was one of the more accurate field-goal artists of his era. Bahr finished in the top 10 in field-goal percentage five times. He nailed eight of his 10 career postseason field-goal attempts for the Browns, adapting his soccer background nicely to the gridiron.
83. DB Ken Konz (1953-1959)
Konz spent his entire seven-year career as a ballhawking safety for the Browns. He recorded at least four interceptions in every season except his last. Konz recorded four pick-sixes. He made the Pro Bowl in 1955 and ranks fourth in franchise history with 30 career interceptions.
82. WR Braylon Edwards (2004-2009)
While his career never lived up to his status as the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2005, Edwards did post one of the most prolific three-year runs of any receiver in Browns history from 2006-2008, recording 196 receptions, 25 touchdowns and 3,046 receiving yards. The 6-foot-3, 214-pound target scored 16 touchdowns in 2007, setting the team’s single-season record and earning a Pro Bowl selection.
81. CB Erich Barnes (1965-1971)
His best years came with the Giants before he arrived in Cleveland, but the long-armed Barnes proved he still had plenty left in the tank during his seven seasons with the Browns. Barnes racked up 18 interceptions, returning three for touchdowns, in 85 games as a Brown. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1968 and honored as a Browns Legend in 2018.
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80. RB Jamal Lewis (2007-2009)
Lewis jumped to the Browns from the rival Ravens in 2007. The thickly built running back topped the 1,000-yard mark twice, and his 1,304 rushing yards in 2007 are the most by any Cleveland running back not named Jim Brown. Lewis retired after the 2009 season having won over skeptical fans who reviled him from his days in Baltimore.
79. LB Eddie Johnson (1981-1990)
During his 10-year career — spent entirely with the Browns — Johnson played with such a physical and intimidating presence that he earned the nickname The Assassin. He was quick to blow up screen passes and short throws over the middle. Johnson was selected as a Browns Legend in 2018.
78. C John Morrow (1960-1966)
Morrow was the Browns’ starting center from 1960-1966 and a good one. He earned two Pro Bowl selections (1961, 1963) in his seven seasons with Cleveland. Morrow was noted for being able to get out in front of runs and make blocks in space.
77. K Phil Dawson (1999-2012)
Dawson served as the team’s kicker from the franchise’s 1999 reincarnation until 2012, his sole Pro Bowl campaign. Dawson had five seasons in Cleveland where he finished among the league’s the top 10 in field-goal accuracy. He is second only to Lou Groza on the team’s all-time scoring list. Dawson recently returned to Cleveland to ceremonially retire as a Brown.
76. FB/LB Tony Adamle (1947-1951, 1954)
Adamle made the Pro Bowl at linebacker in his first two NFL seasons, 1950-51. Prior to that, Adamle played both fullback and linebacker in the All-America Football Conference. He won four league championships in his first five seasons, then quit football after his stellar 1951 season to attend medical school. He returned to the team and won another NFL title in 1954. Adamle, who attended Collinwood High School in Cleveland, was selected as a Browns Legend in 2017.
75. OT Tony Jones (1988-1995)
It took a couple of seasons with the Browns before Jones finally established himself as one of the NFL’s better pass protectors at left tackle. Jones was athletic and durable, starting every game for the Browns between 1990 and 1995. Jones earned a second-team spot on Pro Football Reference’s 1990s All-Decade roster.
74. LB Galen Fiss (1956-1966)
Fiss joined the Browns in 1956 and played 11 seasons at outside linebacker. He picked off 13 passes and recovered 18 fumbles, including four of each in 1962. He earned two Pro Bowl selections and served as defensive captain for the Browns’ final championship team in 1964. He was named to the Browns Legends in 2013.
73. DL Orpheus Roye (2000-2007)
The Browns plucked Roye from the rival Steelers, and he gave Cleveland eight solid years as a starter. His best asset was versatility. He was capable of playing any spot along the line and effectively defending the run. Roye enjoyed his best statistical season in 2005, when he recorded three sacks and 88 tackles.
72. DE Myles Garrett (2017-present)
Garrett has only played two pro seasons, but the Texas A&M alum has already proved worthy of his status as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft. Garrett was named to the Pro Bowl after a 13.5-sack campaign last season. He has a chance to become one of the top players in franchise history if he continues to grow his game.
71. C Fred Hoaglin (1966-1972)
Hoaglin manned the pivot for the Browns for seven seasons and was a reliable, above-average starter in the late 1960s. Hoaglin earned a Pro Bowl nod in 1969 and helped clear holes for All-Pro performances from running back Leroy Kelly. Hoaglin, a Northeast Ohio native, became an NFL offensive line coach after his playing career.
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70. RB/FB Kevin Mack (1985-1993)
Mack was a bruising runner and blocker who found instant success in Cleveland. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 1985, rushing for 1,104 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns. Mack was known for his soft hands as a receiver despite being large for his era. Mack spent all nine of his NFL seasons in Cleveland and retired with 5,123 rushing yards and 197 career receptions.
69. LB Vince Costello (1957-1966)
Costello started at linebacker for a decade and proved himself to be a capable jack-of-all-trades after giving up on a baseball career. He played 130 games for the Browns, picking off 18 passes and scoring two touchdowns on fumble recoveries. Costello was elected to the Browns Legends in 2011. He died June 22, 2019, at age 86.
68. DE Anthony Pleasant (1990-1995)
Pleasant played his first six seasons with the Browns and led the team in sacks twice, including 11 in 1993. His six forced fumbles led the NFL in 1995. Pleasant would later go on to win two Super Bowls with the Patriots, capping a long, successful career.
67. OT Doug Dieken (1971-1984)
Dieken stood tall as the Browns left tackle for 14 years, starting every game after his rookie season. He made just one Pro Bowl but was a consistent presence. Dieken is a familiar radio voice for Browns fans, having joined the broadcast booth for many years following his retirement. He holds franchise records with 203 consecutive games played and 194 straight starts.
66. LB D’Qwell Jackson (2006-2013)
A tackling machine in the middle of the Browns defense, Jackson packed a lot of power behind his pads. His 116 solo tackles in the 2011 season are the most by any Cleveland player since the team rebooted in 1999. He was named team MVP in 2011 by the Pro Football Writers Association.
65. OG John Wooten (1959-1967)
Wooten’s ability to play either left or right guard made him a valuable commodity. Wooten was named to the Pro Bowl twice (1965, 1966) and was inducted into the Browns Ring of Honor in 2010. He appeared in 122 games for the Browns, starting 93 of them.
64. DE Rob Burnett (1990-1995)
Burnett played six seasons for the Browns and was one of the team’s most effective pass rushers. He made the Pro Bowl in 1994, recording 10 sacks that season, and posted at least 7.5 sacks three other times as a Brown. He was known for being a strong run defender but also had a proclivity for getting to quarterbacks.
63. DT Don Colo (1953-1958)
A World War II vet who never played high school football, Colo began playing the sport at Brown University and ultimately emerged as one of the toughest defensive tackles of the 1950s. Colo played six seasons in Cleveland after being acquired from the Colts. During his time with the Browns, he won two NFL championships and was named to three Pro Bowls (1954, ’55 and ’58).
62. WR Webster Slaughter (1986-1991)
Slaughter spent his first six seasons with the Browns and was the team’s top pass-catching target from 1989-1991, the last three of those years. His ability to stretch the field and make acrobatic catches was memorable. Slaughter made his lone Pro Bowl as a Brown in 1989 thanks to his 1,236 receiving yards, his best in Cleveland by more than 300 yards.
61. CB Ben Davis (1967-1973)
Davis holds the Browns record for the most consecutive games with an interception, picking off a pass in seven straight contests in 1968. That came on the heels of a rookie season in which the fleet-footed Davis led the NFL in punt return average. A serious knee injury stunted his progress, but Davis did bounce back to make the Pro Bowl in 1972.
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60. RB Earnest Byner (1984-1988, 1994-1995)
Byner is infamous in Cleveland sports lore for The Fumble in the 1987 AFC championship game. It overshadows a solid career that included a 1,000-yard rushing season in 1985. Byner also was a good receiver out of the backfield, catching more than 40 passes in a season four times as a Brown.
59. OG Abe Gibron (1949-1956)
Part of the Browns’ wildly talented offensive line of the 1950s, Gibron started at left guard for four of his six full seasons in Cleveland. He earned Pro Bowl honors four times with the Browns, but a leg injury prematurely ended his tenure in Cleveland. Gibron was named as a Browns Legend in 2013. He later became an NFL head coach with the Bears.
58. FS Thom Darden (1972-1981)
Darden’s 45 career interceptions are the Browns team record, and he shares the team’s single-season record with 10 in 1978. Darden, an Ohio native, played safety with an all-or-nothing style that made him one of the team’s more exciting, if erratic, players from 1972 to 1981. He made his only Pro Bowl in ’78, leading the NFL in picks and return yards that season.
57. WR/DE/P Horace Gillom (1947-1955)
Gillom did a little bit of everything in his nine seasons with the Browns, often all in the same game. Legendary coach Paul Brown coached Gillom in high school and knew his versatility. His only full-time role was as a punter, where he led the league three times, but Gillom also made solid contributions as a receiver, defensive end and even as a return man. Gillom made one Pro Bowl and was named to the Browns Legends in 2007.
56. DT Bob Golic (1982-1988)
Also known for his acting career after his retirement, Golic consistently anchored the Browns defensive line in the mid-1980s. He made three consecutive Pro Bowls (1985-1987) and was a key to the success of the overall defense with his disruptive ability.
55. CB Don Paul (1954-1958)
Paul played the final five years of his career with the Browns and made the Pro Bowl in each of his last three seasons. Paul had exceptional skills as a ballhawk, picking off 22 passes and recovering six fumbles during his time in Cleveland. Paul earned a spot on the 1950s all-decade team from Pro Football Reference.
54. C Tom DeLeone (1974-1984)
DeLeone took over as the Browns’ starting center in 1975 and held that role for eight seasons. He was given the George Halas Award in 1976 as the NFL’s most courageous player after he lost his first wife, Susie, to cancer. He later made the Pro Bowl in 1979 and 1980. DeLeone was a Northeast Ohio native and was named as a Browns Legend in 2011.
53. DB Clarence Scott (1971-1983)
Scott was a consistent, durable starter in Cleveland for 13 seasons. His best play came early on at cornerback, which includes his sole Pro Bowl season in 1973. Scott picked off 39 passes in his career and also recovered 11 fumbles. He quickly became one of the team’s surest tacklers after being the Browns’ first-round pick in 1971.
52. S Don Fleming (1960-1962)
A case of a promising young player whose career was tragically cut short, Fleming played just three seasons with the Browns at safety, but the defensive back made a big impact. In his final year, Fleming was named first-team All-Pro by The Sporting News. He picked off 10 passes and recovered four fumbles in his career. Fleming was killed in an electrical accident at age 25 the following offseason while working on a construction site. His No. 46 is retired by the Browns.
51. DE Paul Wiggin (1957-1967)
Wiggin spent his entire 11-year career with the Browns. He earned Pro Bowl nods in two of his final three years, in part due to his freakish ability to recover fumbles. He picked up 19 of them in his career, including four each in the 1966 and ’67 seasons. He started every game from 1961 through 1966.
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50. OT Cody Risien (1979-1989)
Risien was the team’s bedrock right tackle for a decace, starting all but seven games for the team in the 1980s after landing on the 1979 NFL All-Rookie team. He was one of the better pass protectors of his era and earned Pro Bowl nods in 1987 and ’88. Risien also played in 10 postseason games for the Browns.
49. CB Joe Haden (2010-2016)
Haden burst onto the scene as a first-round pick in 2010 with six interceptions, making the NFL All-Rookie team. Haden was good against the run for a cornerback, but he especially thrived in man coverage. He earned Pro Bowl berths in 2013 and ’14. Over the course of his time in Cleveland, he recorded 19 interceptions, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 90 games.
48. LB Mike Johnson (1986-1993)
Johnson was a ferocious tacker for the Browns in his eight seasons in Cleveland. He finished in the top 10 in the league in tackles five times as a Brown. He made the Pro Bowl in 1989 and 1990 and ranks second in Browns history with 20 forced fumbles.
47. DB Tommy James (1948-1955)
James played eight seasons for the Browns under coach Paul Brown, who was also his coach at Massillon High School and Ohio State. Primarily a cornerback, James picked off 34 passes in those eight seasons, including a career-high nine in 1950. He made the 1953 Pro Bowl and also served as the holder on field goals and extra points during his Browns tenure.
46. FB Ernie Green (1962-1968)
Even though he played in the shadow of Hall of Famer Jim Brown, Green was a productive and versatile offensive weapon for the Browns in the late 1960s. Green managed top-10 finishes in rushing yards in 1966 and ’67 and made the Pro Bowl both seasons. He also caught at least 25 passes five seasons in a row (1963-67) and scored 10 touchdowns in 1964 as the Browns went on to win the NFL championship.
45. OG Joe DeLamielleure (1980-1984)
Already a Pro Bowl fixture with the Buffalo Bills before coming to Cleveland in 1980, DeLamielleure quickly fit in with the Browns. He made his only Pro Bowl in his five years with the team that year, but DeLamielleure remained a very effective run blocker for the Browns until he capped off his Hall of Fame career back in Buffalo in 1985. DeLamielleure played in every game during his time in Cleveland, starting all but three of those contests.
44. RB/KR Eric Metcalf (1989-1994)
Metcalf sashayed his way through defenses as a running back, receiver and return specialist in his six seasons with the Browns. He made the Pro Bowl in the last two of those seasons and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 1994. Metcalf returned five punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns and scored 33 total touchdowns in Cleveland as one of the most exciting players of his era.
43. WR Ray Renfro (1952-1963)
Renfro was one of the pre-eminent deep threats of his era. From his emergence as a starter in 1953 until he retired, Renfro had just one season averaging below 17 yards per catch. He earned three Pro Bowl nods. Renfro’s 50 career touchdown receptions still rank fourth in Browns history, and he did so on just 281 catches.
42. TE Milt Morin (1966-1975)
A tall, pass-catching tight end, Morin played all 10 of his NFL seasons with the Browns after being a first-round pick in 1966. Morin would earn Pro Bowl berths in the 1968 and 1971 seasons. Remarkably consistent in his production, he recorded 271 receptions and 16 touchdown catches in 129 career regular-season games. He added 17 catches and two touchdowns in five career playoff games.
41. RB/KR Greg Pruitt (1973-1981)
Pruitt made the Pro Bowl as a return specialist in his first two seasons. The Browns figured out how to make his blend of agility and speed work in the offense in the ensuing seven years. Pruitt topped 1,000 yards rushing three times and earned two more trips to the Pro Bowl as a Brown. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry and scored 43 touchdowns for Cleveland.
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40. S Eric Turner (1991-1995)
The hard-hitting Turner made an immediate impact as the No. 2 overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft. He recorded 84 tackles in just eight games and made the NFL All-Rookie team. Turner would lead the Browns in tackles in each of the next three seasons. He earned a trip to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 1994 when he led the league with nine interceptions and racked up 105 tackles.
39. WR Dub Jones (1948-1955)
Jones served as Cleveland’s motion receiver, a position never seen before coach Paul Brown developed the role to take advantage of Jones’ running ability. He earned Pro Bowl selections in 1951 and ’52. Jones finished in the NFL’s top 10 in both rushing and receiving yards in 1951 and set a league record by scoring six touchdowns in a game against the Bears. He is the father of Bert Jones, a longtime quarterback for the Baltimore Colts.
38. CB Frank Minnifield (1984-1992)
Minnifield played his entire nine-year career with the Browns and was an integral part of the team’s success in the late 1980s. Known for his sticky coverage skills, Minnifield made four consecutive Pro Bowls from 1986-1989 and earned first-team All-Pro status in 1988. Along with Hanford Dixon, he helped created the famed Dawg Pound.
37. CB Bernie Parrish (1959-1966)
Parrish played eight seasons in Cleveland’s secondary and consistently created turnovers for the Browns. He picked off a total of 18 passes in his first three NFL seasons. Over the course of his time with the Browns, he recorded 29 interceptions and five fumble recoveries in 94 games. He was inducted into the Browns Legends in 2017.
36. QB Bernie Kosar (1985-1993)
Kosar became a local hero almost from the moment he took over as the team’s starting quarterback in 1985. He led the Browns to the playoffs in four of his first five seasons — the exception being 1988, when he was limited by injuries. Kosar made the Pro Bowl in 1987 and ranked in the league’s top 10 in passer rating five times. Kosar’s unorthodox throwing motion and football IQ only added to his popularity.
35. DT Bob Gain (1952-1964)
34. OG Jim Ray Smith (1956-1964)
Smith was a stalwart at left guard for nearly a decade, a cornerstone of the Browns’ potent and versatile offense. No. 64 earned five straight Pro Bowl appearances at his peak, including three straight years on the All-Pro first team.
33. C Alex Mack (2009-2015)
Mack possesses outstanding athletic ability for his size and quickly emerged as one of the NFL’s best centers after being a first-round pick by the Browns in 2009. He would make the Pro Bowl three times in his seven seasons in Cleveland before leaving for Atlanta, where he has been a perennial Pro Bowler since 2016.
32. DE Bill Glass (1962-1968)
Glass arrived in Cleveland in 1962 in a blockbuster trade with the Lions and quickly thrived. Upon joining the Browns, the 6-foot-5, 252-pounder made three straight Pro Bowls as one of the top pass rushers of his era. Glass would be named to one more Pro Bowl in 1967, the year before his retirement. The Sporting News named him first-team All-Pro in each of his Pro Bowl years. Glass later penned popular memoirs of his Browns career.
31. KR/RB Bobby Mitchell (1958-1961)
His peak NFL years came in Washington, but Mitchell got off to a fast start in his first four seasons with the Browns. The running back and return specialist scored six touchdowns off returns in those four years. Mitchell scored 32 touchdowns from scrimmage as a Brown (16 rushing, 16 receiving) and was one of the most dangerous big-play threats in the NFL.
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30. OLB Chip Banks (1982-1986)
Banks burst onto the scene as the No. 3 overall pick in 1982, winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year honor. Banks’ versatile all-around game helped him make the Pro Bowl in four of his first five seasons, including an All-Pro year in 1983. The Browns traded him to the Chargers after the 1986 season. Banks wasn’t able to replicate his Cleveland success in one season with San Diego or four subsequent years with the Indianapolis Colts.
29. CB Hanford Dixon (1981-1989)
Dixon helped create the Dawg Pound during his successful tenure in the Cleveland secondary. At his peak, the plucky 5-foot-11, 186-pounder was one of the NFL’s top cover men. He made three Pro Bowls and was twice a first-team All-Pro selection. Dixon, who started all but three games in his first six pro seasons, has been a popular public ambassador for the Browns since his retirement.
28. LB Walt Michaels (1952-1961)
Michaels earned his way to Pro Football Reference’s all-decade second team for the 1950s with his knack for making big plays. He made the Pro Bowl every season from 1955-1959. Michaels played 10 seasons with the Browns and was the primary defensive signal-caller for most of his tenure. After he retired as a player, he became an NFL coach for more than 20 seasons.
27. RB/FB Mike Pruitt (1976-1984)
Pruitt topped 1,000 yards rushing four times in his nine seasons with Cleveland. No. 43 also showed soft hands out of the backfield, twice catching 63 passes in a season. Pruitt made two Pro Bowls as a Brown, in the 1979 and 1980 seasons, and his rugged versatility was a key component to the Kardiac Kids offense.
26. WR Mac Speedie (1947-1952)
Speedie was the best receiver in the All-America Football Conference, leading that league in receptions in its final three years. He didn’t let up after the Browns joined the NFL, earning two Pro Bowl selections in three seasons and leading the league in receptions in 1952. Speedie left the Browns to play in Canada in 1953, putting an early end to the NFL career of one of the best receivers of the pre-merger era.
25. DT Walter Johnson (1965-1976)
Johnson, who was named to three Pro Bowls in his 11 seasons with Cleveland, played in 168 straight games from 1966-1974. Although he played before sacks were considered an official statistic, the Browns list him No. 3 in franchise history with 58 career sacks. Following his retirement, Johnson became a popular professional wrestler known for his signature bear hug.
24. C Frank Gatski (1946-1956)
Gatski was an original Brown and the team’s starting center from 1948-1956. Remarkably consistent, Gatski earned acclaim for never having a single botched snap or fumble in his entire career. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
23. DT Jerry Sherk (1970-1981)
Sherk spent all 12 of his NFL seasons with the Browns, serving as a stabilizing presence on the defensive line. Although sacks weren’t considered an official until after his retirement, the Browns credit Sherk with 69 career sacks — No. 2 on the franchise list. His four-year peak, from 1973-1976, saw Sherk make the Pro Bowl each season.
22. KR/PR/WR Josh Cribbs (2005-2012)
Cribbs made the Pro Bowl three times in his eight Cleveland seasons, all for his stellar work on special teams. The former Kent State quarterback scored 11 career touchdowns on returns (eight kickoffs, three punts), including four during his All-Pro campaign in 2009. Cribbs ranks No. 3 in NFL history in career return yards, and he was also one of the best special teams coverage players in the league.
21. LB/DE Jim Houston (1960-1972)
Houston was known as Mr. Dependable during his 13 seasons with the Browns. The defensive end-turned-linebacker only missed three games during his time in Cleveland. Houston picked off 14 passes, recovered 11 fumbles and scored three defensive touchdowns, earning four Pro Bowl berths along the way. He was a Cleveland-area native who chose to play for his hometown Browns despite also being drafted by the American Football League’s Buffalo Bills.
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20. DB Warren Lahr (1949-1959)
Lahr was a fixture in the secondary for the great Browns teams of the 1950s. He began that decade with a bang, notching two pick-sixes in both the 1950 and ’51 seasons, and he bagged two interceptions in the 1950 NFL championship game victory over the Rams. Lahr ranks second on the Browns’ career interception list with 44, and he holds the franchise record with five touchdowns on interception returns. He made Pro Football Reference’s all-decade second team for the 1950s.
19. DT Michael Dean Perry (1988-1994)
The gregarious big man made five Pro Bowls in his seven seasons with the Browns. Perry was one of the best interior pass rushers of his era, bagging 51.5 sacks with Cleveland. Perry was named All-Pro first team in both the 1988 and ’89 seasons. Perry was a fan favorite and even had a special McDonald’s signature hamburger named after him.
18. WR/P Gary Collins (1962-1971)
Not many players can lead the NFL in both touchdown receptions and punting average, but the versatile Collins pulled that off for the Browns. In 10 seasons with the Browns, Collins set the franchise mark for touchdown catches with 70. He made two Pro Bowls, including a 1965 campaign when he led the NFL in punting average while also finishing in the top 10 in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches. In 1963, he led the NFL with 13 touchdown receptions.
17. OT/DL Mike McCormack (1954-1962)
McCormack joined the Browns as a defensive tackle and helped seal the 1954 NFL championship with what would now be called a strip-sack. Coach Paul Brown moved him to offensive tackle the next year to better take advantage of his outstanding speed for a man of his size in that era. McCormack made five Pro Bowls in eight more seasons with the Browns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.
16. QB Brian Sipe (1974-1983)
A 13th-round draft pick in 1972, Sipe spent two years on the Browns practice squad before making the roster. Sipe would play 10 seasons in Cleveland, and today he holds several franchise records including passing yards and completions. During his three-year heyday from 1979-1981 Sipe was one of the NFL’s top passers. In 1980, he earned NFL MVP honors while setting franchise records for passing yards (4,132) and touchdown passes (30), both of which still stand. He was the leader of the Kardiac Kids and known for his late-game heroics.
15. DL/OL Bill Willis (1946-1953)
Willis and Marion Motley are recognized for permanently breaking the color barrier in pro football when they debuted in the All-American Football Conference. No African-American had played in the NFL since 1933, but the two future Hall of Famers made an immediate impact in the rival league. When the Browns moved to the NFL, Willis remained an elite talent and earned first-team All-Pro honors three times. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977.
14. WR Paul Warfield (1964-1969, 1976-1977)
Although his best years were with the Dolphins, the fleet-footed flanker also enjoyed two successful stints with the Browns. Warfield was named to three Pro Bowls during his time in Cleveland. His 12 touchdown receptions led the NFL in 1968. Among players with at least 300 catches, Warfield still holds the NFL record for average yards per reception at 20.1.
13. OT Dick Schafrath (1959-1971)
Schafrath played all 13 of his NFL seasons as the Browns’ left tackle. Notable for being ahead of his time in weight training, Schafrath was a powerful force throughout the 1960s. The Mule made four All-Pro teams and was named to six Pro Bowls. The Ohio native earned a spot on Pro Football Reference’s all-decade team for the 1960s.
12. QB Frank Ryan (1962-1968)
Ryan took over as Cleveland’s quarterback in 1962 after an underwhelming start to his career with the Rams. In five seasons as the Browns’ primary starting QB, he led the team to a 48-17-1 record. Ryan made three Pro Bowls and finished in the league’s top 10 in passing yards and top five in touchdowns four times each.
11. DE Len Ford (1950-1957)
Ford played in an era before sacks were an official statistic, but he consistently terrorized opposing quarterbacks during his time with the Browns. The defensive end was named first-team All-Pro each year from 1951-1954. Prior to becoming a defensive end with the Browns, Ford was a wide receiver with the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976.
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10. WR Dante Lavelli (1946-1956)
Lavelli earned the nickname “Gluefingers” in an era when passing was not emphasized. As a rookie, the Northeast Ohio native led the All-America Football Conference in catches, receiving yards and yards per catch in the league’s inaugural season. Lavelli ranked in the NFL’s top 10 in receptions and receiving yards three times each. More importantly, he was a part of seven Browns championship teams — four in the AAFC and three in the NFL. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1975.
9. TE Ozzie Newsome (1978-1990)
Newsome was a trailblazer for a new breed of pass-catching tight ends. When he retired, no other tight end had ever caught more passes than his 662 receptions. Newsome finished in the NFL’s top five in receptions three years in a row (1982-1984) and topped 1,000 receiving yards twice. His consistency and class on and off the field made him a fan favorite. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards (7,980). Newsome was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
8. FB Marion Motley (1946-1953)
Motley and Bill Willis are credited for permanently ending pro football’s exclusion of African-Americans when they played for the Browns in the team’s inaugural season. It had been 13 years since the NFL had employed any players of color when Motley and Willis emerged as standouts in Cleveland, and they helped open the door for other deserving players. Motley led the Browns in rushing yards six times, including his first five seasons. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his hometown of Canton in 1968.
7. OG Gene Hickerson (1958-1973)
One of the most intimidating players of his era, Hickerson played guard in Cleveland for all 16 of his NFL seasons. At his peak from 1965-1970, Hickerson was a Pro Bowler every year and earned three first-team All-Pro nods. When he retired in 1973, he had blocked for the league’s No. 1 and No. 4 all-time rushers. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007, and his induction ceremony remains one of the most moving events in Browns history.
6. RB/KR Leroy Kelly (1964-1973)
One of the most dynamic performers of his era, Kelly thrived as a halfback and return man for a decade. Kelly was name to every Pro Bowl from the 1966 season through 1971, leading the NFL in rushing yards and total yards from scrimmage in 1967 and ’68. In the three seasons following the retirement of Jim Brown, Kelly scored 49 touchdowns from 1966 through ’68. No. 44 was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
5. OT Joe Thomas (2007-2017)
The cornerstone left tackle played 10,363 consecutive snaps in his illustrious career after being selected by the Browns with the No. 3 overall pick in 2007. Thomas made the Pro Bowl every year of his career except his last, and he was a six-time first-team All-Pro. No. 73 was the bright spot on an otherwise dismal period of Browns history and is widely projected as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
4. LB/DE Clay Matthews (1978-1993)
Matthews wins the title of best Browns player of the Super Bowl era despite not yet being in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. During his 16 seasons in Cleveland, he was a model of consistent excellence. The Browns list Matthews as the team’s career sack leader with 76.5, although some of those were notched before sacks became an official NFL statistic in 1982. Four Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro nod don’t nearly do his legacy or sustained greatness justice.
3. K/OT Lou Groza (1946-1967)
“The Toe” was an All-Pro at both tackle and kicker over his 21 seasons with the Browns. When he retired in 1967, he was the NFL’s all-time leading scorer and its most accurate field-goal kicker. Selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974, Groza made the Pro Bowl every year from 1950 through ’58, earning four All-Pro nods during that span as well.
2. QB Otto Graham (1946-1955)
Graham played quarterback for the Browns in their first 10 seasons of existence. Under his guidance, the team played for nine championships, winning seven (four All-America Football Conference and three NFL). Graham led the NFL in passing yards twice and completion percentage three times. The four-time first-team All-Pro selection was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965. His effort in the 1950 NFL championship game (298 passing yards, four touchdown passes, 99 rushing yards) is one of the great playoff performances in league history.
1. RB Jim Brown (1957-1965)
The NFL’s all-time leading rusher when he retired in 1965, Brown still holds the league record for average yards per game at 104.3. Brown played nine seasons and was a first-team All-Pro in eight of them, making the Pro Bowl every year. The punishing fullback racked up eight rushing titles and led the league in rushing touchdowns five times. Even more than 50 years after his retirement, Brown still represents the greatness of the Cleveland Browns.
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