Browns: 10 Greatest undrafted free agents since 1999

The Browns 10 best-undrafted players since 1999.

The Browns are just like any other team in that major free agents and the drafted players of a given year aren’t the only ones to make up a roster. There are also undrafted free agents. Soon-to-be rookies who didn’t get picked by a given NFL team, but are given a shot to still become pros.

The Browns have had some good success with the undrafted variety of rookies. No clear-cut Hall of Famers, but three who should seriously be considered as such. We’re talking franchise leaders, NFL record-breakers, and Super Bowl-winning players. Just to keep this in mind, we’re emphasizing a player’s time with Cleveland, though work done outside of Cleveland won’t be completely ignored.

The odds any of those three get in aren’t great but there’s at least a discussion for them to get in. Before we get to the top of the class, let’s take a look at some of the honorable mentions.

Honorable Mention

TE Mark Campbell (1999)

Mark Campbell’s nine-year NFL career started in Cleveland, where he became the team’s starter due to his blocking. A skill the offensive line needed help with.

WR KhaDarel Hodge

Technically a Rams’ undrafted free agent, KhaDarle Hodge made some plays happen in 2020 when others were hurt.

OLB James Burgess (2016)

He’s bounced around the league but as the son of a former NFL player, he keeps getting shots. He peaked his rookie year with 4.5 sacks.

CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun (2016)

A solid corner but never a difference-maker.

RB D’Ernest Johnson (2018)

Backing up Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb is a pretty easy job, but when he’s had chances to finally get in, he’s done well.

RB Dontrell Hilliard (2018)

A solid pass-catching running back who can make plays in space but not too many big ones to write home about.