7 Players the Cleveland Browns should have never let get away

Any Browns fan who remembers seeing Eric Metcalf on the field understands that he’s a player they should have kept around longer. Drafted in the first round back in 1989, the Texas product was one of the more versatile players in the entire NFL during his career. He began his time in the league as a running back while also serving as the primary kick returner.

He flashed potential that season, going for 633 yards on the ground with six touchdowns and pulling in 54 receptions with another four TDs. That was his best season on the ground, but Metcalf continued to make plays throughout his 13-year career in other areas.

In 1990, he topped 1,000-yards as a returner for the first time and scored his only two touchdowns while running back kickoffs. In his six seasons with the Browns, he had 2,806 yards on kick returns and 1,341 yards and five touchdowns on punt runbacks.

Cleveland let him get away in 1995 when he joined the Atlanta Falcons. The Dirty Birds were enamored with his ability as a pass-catcher, so they moved him to wide receiver. Metcalf was a star in this role, hauling in 104 receptions for 1,189 yards and eight touchdowns. He added another six touchdowns and 599 yards in what was his final season with Atlanta.

He continued to be a journeyman after that stint and was still making plays on special teams into his 30s. No. 21 finished with 12 total special teams touchdowns, 12 as a runner, and 31 receiving. Too bad he didn’t do all that damage with Cleveland, although he should have.