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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 9: Defensive lineman Joe Klecko #73 of the New York Jets looks across the line of scrimmage at offensive lineman Cody Risien #63 of the Cleveland Browns during a game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on October 9, 1983 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Jets 10-7. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 9: Defensive lineman Joe Klecko #73 of the New York Jets looks across the line of scrimmage at offensive lineman Cody Risien #63 of the Cleveland Browns during a game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on October 9, 1983 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Jets 10-7. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

3. Cody Risien, 1979, Round 7

Cody Risien is a sneaky, but worthwhile addition to this list. Risien played at Texas A&M and the Cleveland Browns selected the Aggie in the seventh-round of the 1979 draft as a guard. That’s where Risien started 10 of 16 games his rookie year. He was named a member of the 1979 All-Rookie team that year.

However, for the next 10 seasons (excluding 1984 which he missed due to injury) Risien had perfect attendance as the Brown right tackle (a span of 150 games). During that time Risien started in an additional 10 postseason games. In fact, the Browns (almost unbelievably) made the playoffs in seven out of Risien’s 10 seasons, and Risien was a fixture on those Browns teams that came tantalizingly close to the Super Bowl.

Risien’s curtain call for the Browns was in the AFC Championship game following the 1989 season, a game the Browns lost to the Denver Broncos 37-21.

Risien is also a member of Cleveland.com’s 100 greatest Cleveland Browns, finishing one spot ahead of fellow lineman Doug Dieken at number 36. Like the other tackles on this list, one of the hallmarks of Cody Risien was simply the fact that he showed up every week. It really is amazing how spoiled Browns fans were for several years.

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