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Who Are the 5 Best Tackles Drafted by the Cleveland Browns?

By Christopher Markoch

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 23: Tackle Joe Thomas #73 of the Cleveland Browns blocks during a game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 23, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Browns 34-12. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 23: Tackle Joe Thomas #73 of the Cleveland Browns blocks during a game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 23, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Browns 34-12. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 24: Runningback Jim Brown #32, of the Cleveland Browns, runs the sweep after receiving the ball from quarterback Frank Ryan #13 during a game on October 24, 1965 against the New York Giants at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Pulling to block for Brown are guard Gene Hickerson #66 and tackle Dick Schafrath #77. (Photo by: Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 24: Runningback Jim Brown #32, of the Cleveland Browns, runs the sweep after receiving the ball from quarterback Frank Ryan #13 during a game on October 24, 1965 against the New York Giants at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Pulling to block for Brown are guard Gene Hickerson #66 and tackle Dick Schafrath #77. (Photo by: Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

5. Dick Schafrath, 1959, Round 2

Dick Schafrath played for the Cleveland Browns from 1959 through 1971. He played in 158 out of 176 regular-season games as well as seven playoff games. But that number is a little deceptive because he didn’t play at all during his rookie season, which totaled 12 games. That’s when Schafrath picked up the baton left by Hall-of-Fame tackle Lou Groza.

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For the next 11 seasons, Schafrath missed a total of six games and five of those came in his last season.

Schafrath blocked for running backs Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly. He was a part of the 1964 NFL championship team.

As Browns fans are all too aware of, this was the last Cleveland Browns team to earn that distinction.

Schafrath played his college football at The Ohio State University and was a second-round pick in the 1959 NFL Draft. The league was much smaller in those days, so Schafrath was actually the twenty-third overall selection, which better reflects his value to the Browns.

Schafrath was a 4-time All-Pro and 6-time Pro Bowl player. Schafrath was elected to the Cleveland Browns Legends Club in 2003.

He was also named the eighth-best player on Cleveland.com’s list of the 100 greatest Cleveland Browns. Despite his many accolades, Schafrath has not been selected for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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