Cleveland Browns: 20 best draft day steals of all-time

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PITTSBURGH – NOVEMBER 3: Quarterback Bernie Kosar #19 of the Cleveland Browns looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers behind the blocking of Earnest Byner #44 and Cody Risien #63 at Three Rivers Stadium on November 3, 1985 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. OT. CodyRisien. 5. Pick Analysis. Texas AM, 1979. player. 873

Cleveland Browns best NFL Draft steals of all time: 5. Cody Risien

Whenever we talk about old-school offensive linemen, the sizes don’t seem to add up to what we are used to seeing today. That wasn’t exactly the case with Cody Risien, however.

A seventh-round pick (No. 183 overall) out of Texas A&M in 1979, Risien was a whopping 6-foot-7 and 270-pounds. Sure, in today’s NFL, he would probably look more like a tight end, but having someone at 6-foot-7 on the offensive line wasn’t exactly the norm.

What Risien took pride in was run blocking and during his time with the Browns, he helped pave the way for four 1,000-yard rushers on the ground. Risien also helped the Browns win the Central Division title five times before being honored with a nod to the team’s Hall of Fame.

During his career, he was also named to two Pro Bowls while in Cleveland, both of which came later in his career.

The first Pro Bowl he earned was in 1986 and he made his second in 1987. This doesn’t mean he wasn’t good before those seasons as Risien did make the Second-Team All-Pro in 1983, but somehow was left out of the Pro Bowl voting for several years of his career.

Risien proved throughout his career to be a stud and was an absolute steal for where he was taken in the draft.

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