Cleveland Browns: All-Time roster, the best players at each position

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CLEVELAND – 1987: Defensive backs Hanford Dixon #29 and Frank Minnifield #31 of the Cleveland Browns draw plays in the dirt on the field before a game at Municipal Stadium circa 1987 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

Cornerback — Joe Haden, Hanford Dixon

It’s hard to admit just how good Joe Haden is right now since he’s playing for the hated Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the former first-round pick out of Florida earned his status as the No. 7 pick in 2010. Haden was a two-time Pro Bowl coverage guy for the Browns and once made the second-team All-Pro roster as well.

He finished his seven seasons in Cleveland with 299 tackles and 19 interceptions. Before the 2017 season though, the front office tried to ship him off to no avail. There were also reports they asked Haden to take a pay cut, which he wouldn’t do. In the end, he ended up in Pittsburgh, which was avoidable had the Browns just kept him on the books — it’s not like they were hurting for the cap space.

Next to Haden is the talented Hanford Dixon. The former defensive back was No. 7 on our top first-round picks of all time and was even credited with the birth of the “Dawg Pound” nickname. Dixon was one half of one of the better defensive back duos in Browns’ history and ended his career with 26 career interceptions. He was named to the Pro Bowl three times and it would be a nightmare having to throw a ball with him and Haden manning the edges at corner.

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