3 other modern Cleveland Browns who could be Hall of Fame bound after Joe Thomas

Joel Bitonio

Joe Bitonio is nearing first-ballot status as he continues to dominate the trenches for the modern Browns squad. A 2nd round pick from the 2014 NFL Draft, Bitonio has made five Pro Bowls and Five All-Pro squads, making two first-teams and three second-teams. If he makes a sixth Pro Bowl and six All-Pro squad at 32, then there’s no denying his Hall of Fame status.

Unlike Joe Thomas, Bitonio has the fact that he helped anchor the offensive line for the playoff squad of 2020 to bolster his resume. Bitonio has been the best player on the line since Thomas retired and his involvement with the squad was a direct reason why they were good enough to get to the playoffs in 2020 in the first place.

Another factor in his future Hall of Fame status is the fact that he did all this in five consecutive seasons, where he was an undisputed top guy in the NFL at his position. Year to year, there may have been a guy or two who could claim they were better than Bitonio, but no one, not even his teammate Wyatt Teller, can say that they’ve been on or near his level for the last five consecutive years.

While he’ll eventually lose a step, it doesn’t seem like it’ll happen this upcoming season.