Cleveland Browns’ 10 best players since returning to the NFL in 1999

1. Joe Thomas

No one else deserved this spot. What can I say, the Browns’ left tackle is one of a kind. He had his chances to leave Cleveland in the past but didn’t. Had Thomas decided to leave, many of the players listed in this piece, along with others likely would have left much sooner.

Thomas is and has been a future first ballot hall of famer. The third overall pick in the 2007 draft was named to the 2007 NFL All-Rookie team. In addition, Thomas is a 10-time pro bowler and six-time First Team All-Pro selection. Don’t forget that he also played in 167 consecutive games and executed 10,363 continuous snaps.

Thomas’ play over the years has raised the left tackle expectations. If teams disagree with that statement, okay, but then all they have to do is look at their tackle situation. While a cornerstone left tackle is a good way to describe Thomas’ career, so much more can be added to that (and it may not be enough).

Now that Cleveland is in another state of transition and Thomas is in a position where he could walk away, have we seen the last of him in a Browns’ uniform?

Next: Zero compensatory picks went to the Browns

The way he speaks on his podcast and other media shows sound like that could be the case. We will all know soon enough what his plans are. Whenever he calls it a career and dives more into media, then Thomas will excel in that just like he did in football.