The New Cleveland Browns All Decades Team (1999-2020)

Defense

The offense is made up of a good number of guys who can play multiple positions. The same thing, but to more of a degree, is what’s going on here defensively. Multiple guys could play at multiple positions depending on need.

Defensive Ends

"RE1: Myles Garrett RE2: Paul Kruger LE1: Kenard Lang LE2: Kamerion Wimbley"

It should be obvious why Myles Garrett is on this list. It may not be obvious why everyone else is where they are. The Browns, historically, have been bad at acquiring defensive ends. Kenard Lang was maybe the best all-around player of the bunch, with decent pass-rushing skills and the ability to play the run. He’s also big enough to slide in as an anchor tackle. Paul Kruger and Kamerion Wimbley aren’t traditionally any one position. They’ve played outside linebackers in 3-4’s and ends in 4-3’s. They’re not just able to help at the end spot but can move to outside linebacker if needed.

Defensive Tackles

"DT1: Orpheus Roye DT2: Larry Ogunjobi NT1: Shaun Rogers NT2: Gerard Warren"

I think Orpheus Roye is a borderline Browns’ legend. At least in the modern era. Like many on this list, he’s able to play defensive end or tackle and has shown to have great versatility. He’s one of the better run-stopping defensive linemen the Browns have had since 1999 and his inclusion should be obvious. He’s so good at stopping the run, he had 88 tackles for a season once. His backup is Larry Ogunjobi. He’s inconsistent at times but his ceiling and basement aren’t far apart, unlike say, Sheldon Richardson. That’s the three-technique, for the nose tackle or one/two technique tackle (or nose if needed), that’s going to be Shaun Rodgers. Another player who came into Cleveland and did really well at a time when no one was paying attention. His backup will be Gerard “Big Money” Warren, mostly due to the fact that he had a decently long career and is a big dude who can fill a gap.

Outside Linebackers

"ROLB1: Jamir Miller ROLB2: Kamerion Wimbley LOLB1: Joe Schobert LOLB2: Scott Fujita"

Right off the bat, you’ll see that Wimbley is backing up another position. That position will see Jamir Miller start. Miller was the first man to go to the Pro Bowl since the team returned in 1999 and had some really good skills in the pass-rushing department. Opposite of him is another Pro Bowl linebacker in Joe Schobert. He came into the Browns as an outside linebacker and only moved inside due to injuries. Schobert will be able to cover with the best of them and should give the Browns defense a really solid starting duo. The Browns’ history with linebackers since the return is as bad as their run with ends. Scott Fujita is really the only player who makes sense here. He’s reliable, consistent, and is just good enough at everything to start if needed.

Middle Linebackers

"MLB1: D’Qwell Jackson MLB2: Christian Kirksey MLB 3: Andra Davis"

They’re all part of the 100 tackle club with the Browns. D’Qwell Jackson was the man in the middle for the Browns’ best years as a defense, so he gets the nod. Christian Kirksey when healthy is as sure as a linebacker can come and Andra Davis was a forgotten gem who did a lot with very little help around him. Earl Holmes and Wali Rainer nearly made the list.

Cornerbacks

"CB1: Joe Haden CB2: Denzel Ward CB1B: Daylon McCutcheon CB2B: Anthony Henry"

For the sake of things, the CB1 covers the top guy on the field, hence the designation. Joe Haden is a better and healthier option over Denzel Ward but that doesn’t mean either man is a bad pick. The Browns have had solid corners over the years but those are the two best. Daylon McCutcheon and Anthony Henry are both guys who did a lot of good work for the team around the turn of the century. Henry’s big and long, which helps a lot against the DK Metcalf types. Then you have McCutcheon, who’s as gritty as they come. He’ll make it hard for a guy to release off the line of scrimmage and then hassle him until the end of the play.

Safeties

"SS1: T.J. Ward SS2: Donte Whitner FS1: Brian Russell FS2: Earl Little"

Some people want to argue and suggest Donte Whitner was a better player than T.J. Ward. That’s not true, which is why Ward is over Whitner at strong safety. He could hit with the best of them and his coverage skills were solid. Opposite from him is a player who only two years in Cleveland but started everywhere he went, and that’s Brian Russell. He was excellent in coverage and was a sure-fire tackle waiting to happen. Earl Little serves as his backup, a name many may not remember, but he played really well in the secondary behind McCutcheon