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

By Randy Gurzi

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)
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) /
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Cleveland Browns. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. JimHouston. 14. player. 812. Pick Analysis. LB, Ohio State. 1960 (No. 8)

Cleveland Browns top first-round draft picks All-Time No. 14: Jim Houston, LB, Ohio State

Jim Houston was the second member of his family to play for the Browns, as his older brother Lin Houston played offensive guard for the team from their first season (1946) through 1953. The elder Houston was a primary blocker for the legendary quarterback Otto Graham and watching his brother play there probably helped Cleveland land Jim Houston.

That’s because the younger Houston brother was the No. 1 overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 1960 AFL Draft but chose to go with the Browns who made him the eighth pick in the NFL Draft that same season. Cleveland was happy to see the Ohio State star stay local as he spent the next 13 seasons donning the orange and brown.

During his time with Cleveland, Houston played both defensive end and linebacker, although it was after moving to linebacker that he saw his career take off. He ended up making four Pro Bowls at the position while starring as a middle linebacker.

Houston was an incredibly durable player that missed just three games in his career and was solid against the pass and run according to Mike Peticca of Cleveland.com who ranked Houston No. 28 on the Browns top-100 list.

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