Cleveland Browns: Top 5 running backs in franchise history

1. Jim Brown (1957-1964)

You know it, I know it, every Browns fan worth their salt knows it. Jim Brown is not only the greatest Cleveland Browns running back of all time, but he is likely the greatest running back of all time.

Jim Brown, in every sense of the word, was a monster on the football field. Fondly remembered by many as the greatest football player of all time, Brown’s rushing prowess, to the tune of three MVP awards, led Cleveland to an NFL Championship in 1964.

Coming out of Syracuse, many expected that Brown would be a great pick for anyone looking for a running back in the 1957 NFL Draft. Turns out that even going as high as No. 6 overall, Brown was a steal for the Cleveland Browns.

Outside of his rookie year, Brown failed to rush for 1,000 yards just once (1962) during his eight-year career. During that year, he still rushed for 13 touchdowns and led the Browns to a respectable 7-6-1 record.

All in all, Brown was just bigger, faster, stronger, and more athletic than anyone else playing that game at that time. As perhaps the greatest player of all time, Brown was a thing of beauty on the football field.

Next: 5 Best wide receivers all-time

Rushing for a staggering 12,312 yards for his career, Jim Brown now sits tenth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. Even though he has not played in over fifty years, Brown still holds a top spot among the league’s greatest runners. The game has changed since then, for sure, but Brown’s greatness cannot be denied.