Cleveland Browns: Top 20 All-Time first-round draft picks

Cleveland Browns top first-round draft picks All-Time No. 15: Thom Darden, S, Michigan

Pick No. 18 in the 1972 NFL Draft saw the Browns select Michigan safety Thom Darden. The 1971 All-American was brought in to play strong safety, but was able to perform well at both safety spots in the defensive backfield during his nine-year career with the Browns.

Darden really started to shine after moving to a centerfield role with the Browns. In 1974, he started to show off his ability to change a game in the blink of an eye. The 6-foot-2 Darden intercepted eight passes that season and had 105 yards in returns. He also ran back a fumble recovery for a 29-yard touchdown — which wound up being the only touchdown he got via fumble recoveries in his career.

That season wasn’t his greatest though, as that distinction goes to Darden’s 1978 Pro Bowl campaign. That year Darden had an NFL-leading 10 interceptions and 200 yards worth of runbacks. This also ended up being the only season he was named to the Pro Bowl, which is somewhat confusing considering he was averaging seven picks per season the three years prior.

To this day, Darden is the all-time leader in interceptions for the Browns with 45 total. He never had a season where he didn’t record at least one pick for Cleveland and is still considered one of their best safeties ever.