Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

7 Best Cleveland Browns of the 21st Century

By Martin McConnell

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 3: Cornerback Joe Haden #23 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after catching and interception during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 3, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 3: Cornerback Joe Haden #23 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after catching and interception during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 3, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 8
Next
CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 16: Alex Mack #55 of the Cleveland Browns snaps the ball from center against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 16, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 16: Alex Mack #55 of the Cleveland Browns snaps the ball from center against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 16, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

4. Alex Mack

Our first offensive lineman, Alex Mack was looking like one of the best centers in the league shortly after the Browns drafted him. Alongside left guard Joel Bitonio, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, and legendary left tackle Joe Thomas, Mack made up one of the league’s most solid offensive line units in 2014. Mack made his presence known to defenders early and often during his time with the Browns, and was gone far too soon from the offices of Berea.

For the first five years of his career, Mack was an iron man in Cleveland. Starting and playing in all 16 games from 2009 to 2013, Mack was easily one of the Browns’ best draft picks since 1999. At the center position, Mack was able to hold the entire offensive line together. Unfortunately, he never had a quarterback truly worth blocking for, but he blocked very well nonetheless.

Mack went down relatively early during the 2014 season, which would see the Browns finish a respectable 7-9. With a broken leg, Mack would have to wait for 2015, where he would once again start all 16 games for the Browns. Then, he voided his contract with the Browns, and signed with Atlanta before the 2016 season.

Since signing with the Falcons, Mack has added two more Pro Bowl appearances to his resume, as well as an appearance as a starter in Super Bowl LI against the Patriots. He has yet to miss a game in Atlanta, and is certainly the second-most talented offensive lineman to walk into Cleveland since 1999.

Home/Browns All-Time Lists