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Cleveland Browns: 5 best first-round picks since 1999

By Steven Kubitza

January 29, 2016; Kahuku, HI, USA; Hawaiian hostesses Chelsea Hardin (far left) and Mahina Garcia (far right) pose with Team Rice tight end Gary Barnidge of the Cleveland Browns (82), Team Irvin center Alex Mack of the Cleveland Browns (55), and Team Rice tackle Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns (73) during 2016 Pro Bowl photo day at Turtle Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 29, 2016; Kahuku, HI, USA; Hawaiian hostesses Chelsea Hardin (far left) and Mahina Garcia (far right) pose with Team Rice tight end Gary Barnidge of the Cleveland Browns (82), Team Irvin center Alex Mack of the Cleveland Browns (55), and Team Rice tackle Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns (73) during 2016 Pro Bowl photo day at Turtle Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 13, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

This was a no-brainer.

Joe Thomas was taken with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft and enters the 2016 seasons as one of the best players in team history.

Thomas has reached the Pro Bowl in each of his nine seasons and has not missed a single snap as a member of the Browns. He has remained as the one constant during all the turnover and losing seasons, proving how to be the ultimate professional since 2007.

His name came up in trade rumors this offseason, but it would be a horrible move to get rid of Thomas. He is the best offensive tackle in the league and plays the most important position on offense.

His success leads to the quarterback having success, given the rest of the line can provide some sort of resistance against the defenders.

Thomas should remain a member of the Browns until he is ready to hang up his cleats, and he is an easy choice for the Hall of Fame when that time comes.

The front office should look to Thomas as the ideal example of the type of player that should be selected with a first-round pick during every draft.

Joe Thomas is the lone superstar drafted by the Browns since 1999, and may be one of the best players to ever put on a Browns uniform.

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