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Top 5 Cleveland Browns rookie seasons all-time

By Randy Gurzi

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 27: Linebacker Rich Milot #57 of the Washington Redskins pursues running back Kevin Mack #34 of the Cleveland Browns during a game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on October 27, 1985 in Cleveland, Ohio. Washington defeated Cleveland 14-7. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 27: Linebacker Rich Milot #57 of the Washington Redskins pursues running back Kevin Mack #34 of the Cleveland Browns during a game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on October 27, 1985 in Cleveland, Ohio. Washington defeated Cleveland 14-7. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND – NOVEMBER 25: Offensive lineman Joe Thomas #73 of the Cleveland Browns talks with teammates prior to a game against the Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 25, 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Texans 27-17. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

Which Cleveland Browns rookies were the best in franchise history?

This season, the Cleveland Browns have two rookies that they expect to start and contribute right out of the gate. No. 10 overall pick Jedrick Wills, Jr. is set to man the left tackle position whereas No. 44 pick Grant Delpit is in line to be one of the starting safeties.

Unfortunately, each will start behind the eight ball thanks to the NFL having to cancel the preseason and most of the offseason programs due to COVID-19 concerns. Still, their talent is enough to believe they should still be major contributors for them in 2020.

But how good can they be, and will their rookie seasons rank as one of the best in Cleveland Browns history?

We won’t know that for sure until after they finish their respective rookie campaigns but we can look back over Cleveland’s long history and identify which five rookies put together the best introductory season in franchise history.

Honorable Mention: Joe Thomas, 2007

When the Browns took Joe Thomas third overall in 2007, they were hopeful they were getting a fixture on their offensive line — and that’s exactly what they got. Thomas ended up playing every snap until he tore his triceps near the end of 2017 and then called it a career.

Thomas was a huge part of the team’s 10-6 record during his rookie campaign as he covered the blindside of Derek Anderson while he had the best season of his career. To this day he remains one of the most popular players to ever take the field for Cleveland and that started with his fantastic rookie season.

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