The Cleveland Browns have a long and storied history, but what players have the honor of being one of their five best wide receivers of all-time
The Cleveland Browns seem to finally be heading in the right direction. After going just 1-31 over the past two seasons, the optimism seems to be much higher than it should be.
Still, it’s understandable and one of the reasons is their depth at key positions like quarterback, running back and of course wide receiver.
In this 2018 NFL Offseason, new general manager John Dorsey was able to land a star at the position in Jarvis Landry. The former Miami Dolphins star comes over after leading the NFL in receptions last season.
He joins former first round pick Corey Coleman, recently reinstated Josh Gordon and the controversial rookie Antonio Callaway.
Despite all the off-field concerns of Callaway and Gordon, this is the deepest group the Browns have had in years. With Tyrod Taylor — and eventually Baker Mayfield — throwing them the ball, they also have the chance to make history as some of the better players at the position for the storied Cleveland Browns.
Until they each prove they can be consistent stars, none of them will be considered the best at the position. Here we look at five players who have the distinction of being the best wide outs in Cleveland history.
5. Webster Slaughter (1986-1991)
The first player we look at is Webster Slaughter who played for the Cleveland Browns, Houston Oilers, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants and finally the San Diego Chargers. His career lasted from 1986 through 1998, but his best season came while still part of the Browns.
In 1989 Slaughter recorded 1m236 yards off 65 receptions. His 19-yards per catch average was the best of his career as was his total yardage and six touchdowns. Overall, Slaughter had 4,834 yards and 27 touchdowns in his six seasons with the Browns.
He wound up making two Pro Bowls in his career, the first of which came in 1989 with the Browns. That same season he was named to the All-Pro team.
4. Kevin Johnson (1999-2003)
A former quarterback at Syracuse, Kevin Johnson joined the Browns in 1999 while they were first returning to the NFL. Despite their poor play at the quarterback spot, Johnson was able to live up to his billing as a second-round pick.
In just four and a half seasons with the Browns, Johnson had 315 receptions for 3,836 yards and 23 touchdowns. He never made a Pro Bowl, but had a couple really big seasons with the franchise that drafted him.
As a rookie, Johnson had 986 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2001, he totaled 1,097 yards and nine scores. Johnson provided a consistent threat for a team that had instability all around him.
3. Braylon Edwards (2005-2009)
The No. 3 overall pick in 2005, Braylon Edwards was supposed to be a stud coming out of Michigan. Unfortunately, a contract hold-out slowed down his rookie season. Still, he ended up playing 10 games and recording 512 yards off 32 receptions. That season proved that Edwards had the talent to succeed at the NFL level.
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By his third season, Edwards was one of the best in the game. He recorded 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns that season. That ended up being his lone Pro Bowl season, but it was one of the best in Browns’ history.
Edwards made an appearance on a few teams following his time in Cleveland, but it was never the same. His best years by far were the few he wore the brown and orange.
2. Gary Collins (1962-1971)
Next up is Gary Collins, who was an absolute stud for pretty much all of the 1960s for the Browns. Collins was the original “slash” in the NFL as he performed well as a punter and a wide out for the Browns.
Where Collins really excelled for Cleveland was as a red zone threat. In his 10 seasons with the club, he recorded 70 touchdowns, four times topping the double-digit mark for the Browns. When his career was done, he had 331 receptions for 5,299 yards and 70 touchdowns.
1. Paul Warfield (1964-1969, 1976-1977)
Before getting to the No. 1 wide out in Browns history we need to throw out a couple honorable mentions. Josh Gordon is one as he’s the owner of the best single season in Cleveland history when he had 1,646 yards off 87 receptions.
The problem with him though has been consistency. Too many suspensions have kept him from meeting his potential.
There’s also Josh Cribbs, who was able to manufacture points in a myriad of ways — but was more of a return man and gadget player than true wide out.
Now, we look at the No. 1 Browns receiver all-time, Paul Warfield. He played eight years total for the Browns. Originally a member of the team from 1964 through 1969, Warfield returned for his final two seasons after a five-year stint with the Miami Dolphins.
Warfield had 82 receiving touchdowns for the Browns at a time when the rules did no favors to the wide outs.
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The No. 11 overall pick out of Ohio State in 1964, Warfield made eight Pro Bowls and was twice the NFL leader in touchdown receptions. He managed that honor once with the Browns when he had 12 touchdown grabs in 1968.