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Top 5 Cleveland Browns draft classes in the SB era

By Casey Kinnamon

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 28: Tight End Ozzie Newsome #82 of the Cleveland Browns dives to make a catch against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game October 28, 1990 at Candlestick park in San Francisco, California. Newsome played for the Browns from 1978-90. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 28: Tight End Ozzie Newsome #82 of the Cleveland Browns dives to make a catch against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game October 28, 1990 at Candlestick park in San Francisco, California. Newsome played for the Browns from 1978-90. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
CLEVELAND – JANUARY 3: Running back Kevin Mack #34 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the New York Jets during an AFC Divisional Playoff game at Municipal Stadium on January 3, 1987 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Jets 23-20. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

Draft Class No. 3: 1984

At face value, the Browns’ 1984 draft would not blow anyone away. They walked away with a solid possession receiver in the fourth round in Brian Brennan. Then, their best pick in the 1984 draft came in the 10th round when they selected Earnest Byner out of East Carolina. However, even with the merit of those solid additions to the team, this draft by itself is not impressive enough to make this list.

But, when you combine the Browns’ 1984 supplemental draft picks, you have more than enough to deserve the nod. The Browns used two first-round selections to take running back, Kevin Mack and linebacker, Mike Johnson. Then they picked up wide receiver Gerald ‘Ice Cube’ McNeil. When you combine all of the talent acquired in these two 1984 drafts you have the making for the nucleus of the Browns playoff runs from 1985 through 1989.

Mack and Byner became synonymous with one another as backfield running mates. Both eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in 1985 and would go on to form one of the best backfield tandems in the NFL. The running back duo would both be inducted into the Browns Legends Program with Byner getting the nod in 2006 and Mack following him in 2007.

Brennan would become Bernie Kosar’s consummate third-down receiver and ‘Ice Cube’ McNeil was a dangerous return specialist who made the pro bowl in 1987. Mike Johnson would go on to patrol the middle of Cleveland’s defense from 1987 to 1993 and earn two pro bowl nominations along the way. His 974 tackles rank second all-time behind only Clay Matthews.

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