3 Former Cleveland Browns players fans would love to see play one more time

1. Joe Thomas, Left Tackle

This one feels like an easy one. This year, the Cleveland Browns had all sorts of issues. From the poor play of their offensive line to a lack of leadership and accountability. The talent is there to be a good team but they could have benefited from having a player capable of giving Baker Mayfield more time to throw — and from a veteran who was willing to hold people accountable.

Both issues could be resolved with a player such as Joe Thomas. The No. 3 overall pick in 2007 out of Wisconsin, Thomas was a 10-time Pro Bowl selection and seven-time selection to the All-Pro First-Team. He was also wildly loyal to the team that drafted him.

Thomas saw nothing but losing seasons after his rookie campaign — in which the team was 10-6. With Cleveland struggling to compete, Thomas was a constant name thrown out in the rumor mill as just about everyone expected the Browns to try and trade him for whatever they could get.

The big left tackle was never having any of that as he was quick to shut rumors down and express his desire to get things fixed in Cleveland. Sadly, that never happened during his tenure as he wound up retiring following the 2017 season.

That same year also saw his insane iron-man streak end. Thomas played 10,363 consecutive snaps for the Browns until a torn triceps injury forced him out of action in October of 2017. He had to have surgery and decided his body could no longer hold up.

Now in 2019, he’s a member of the NFL Network crew but at just 35-years old, it wouldn’t be a huge stretch to see him back on the field. He would need to add bulk as Thomas has slimmed down in retirement but there’s no doubt he could get himself into playing shape quickly.

And there isn’t any player fans would be happier to see make a return to the Dawg Pound than No. 73.