Cleveland Browns: 30 greatest players in franchise history
By Dan Justik
player. 53. . Wide Receiver. (1964-1969, 1976-1977). Paul Warfield. 5
Greatest players in Cleveland Browns history: 5. Paul Warfield
Although he was playing a position he did not play while at The Ohio State University, Paul Warfield is arguably the best wide receiver that ever put on a Browns uniform. Warfield played halfback while in college, but the Browns drafted him with the 11th overall pick in the 1964 NFL Draft to be a wide receiver. He instantly became vital to the Browns offense, helping the Browns win the 1964 NFL Championship.
In his rookie season, Warfield caught 52 passes for 920 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, leading the Browns in every category that season. In his eight seasons with the Browns, Warfield caught 271 passes for 5,210 yards and 52 touchdowns.
Warfield ranks sixth in receiving yards and third in receiving touchdowns in Browns franchise history. He led the league in receiving touchdowns in 1968 with 12 touchdowns.
Warfield spent most of his best years in Miami, as he won two Super Bowls with the Dolphins. But with the Browns, Warfield went to the Pro Bowl three times and was named a first team All-Pro three times. Warfield was also named to the NFL 1970’s All-Decade team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.