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

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CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 18: Offensive lineman Doug Dieken #73 of the Cleveland Browns blocks against the Miami Dolphins during a game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on November 18, 1979 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Dolphins 30-24. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Doug Dieken /

4. Doug Dieken, 1971, Round 6

Doug Dieken manned the left tackle position for the Browns from 1971 through 1984. During that time, Dieken started in 194 out of 203 games. And similar to Schafrath, Dieken did not start in nine games his rookie season. After that Dieken started every game for the remainder of his career.

One of the most amazing things that came out of the research for this article was how dominant the Browns were at left tackle. Dieken was the third in an unbroken line of left tackles from Lou Groza, through Schafrath and then to Dieken. Many Browns fans immediately think of Joe Thomas as a Browns Iron Man and rightfully so. But for nearly 40 years, the Cleveland Browns rarely had to worry about the left tackle position.

Dieken played in four playoff games (1971, 1972, 1980, and 1982). Dieken was a part of the Kardiac Kids team in 1980, a season in which he earned second-team All-Conference honors and made the Pro Bowl. Dieken scored his one and only NFL touchdown by catching a touchdown pass from quarterback Paul McDonald on a fake field goal tackle eligible play in 1983.

Dieken was named to Cleveland.com’s 100 greatest Cleveland Browns, checking in at number 37.

Dieken played his college ball at the University of Illinois.

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