Cleveland Browns: 5 best decisions this offseason

The Browns lost a great deal of talent when free agency began. Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz were allowed to walk, along with Tashaun Gipson and Travis Benjamin. Not long after the initial departures, both Karlos Dansby and Donte Whitner were released.

Joe Thomas was a name that was mentioned as a possible player to be traded, which sounded like a horrible decision for the Browns to make.

With Mack and Schwartz gone, losing Thomas would make it dangerous for any Browns quarterback to line up in the backfield in 2016.

Thomas is a legendary left tackle who has not missed a Pro Bowl since being drafted by the Browns in 2007.

He is the most important player on offense, as he allows the quarterback to not get killed every play. Trading him for a few extra draft picks would not be worth it, although he would bring in a great haul if they were to trade him.

Thomas fits in the category of a player who is too valuable to trade at this point in his career. If he was declining, then it could be up for discussion, but there is no need to trade someone who is actively helping a young team, and who can help for several more years.

His most important job in 2016 will be keeping a quarterback with injury problems off the turf.

Next: Signing a former phenom