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10 Superstars the Cleveland Browns could have drafted since 1999

By Eddie McDonald

Bills quarterback Josh Allen heads off the field after a 42-36 overtire loss to the Chiefs knocked them out of the playoffs.Ag3i5955
Bills quarterback Josh Allen heads off the field after a 42-36 overtire loss to the Chiefs knocked them out of the playoffs.Ag3i5955 /
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Cleveland Browns
Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs against Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Samson Ebukam (50) during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Superstar Player the Cleveland Browns Could Have Drafted in 2010

RobGronkowski. 42. player. 47. Scouting Report. Arizona. Tight End. Pick Analysis

The Browns didn’t even have a bad draft this year, but they passed on tight end Rob Gronkowski – who announced he is retiring for a second time last week – not once, but twice.

Joe Haden and T.J. Ward were fine picks at No. 7 and No. 38. In Haden’s seven years with Cleveland, he posted 19 interceptions – one returned for a touchdown – 101 pass deflections, seven forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and 615 tackles. He was selected to the Pro Bowl on two different occasions.

He has played the last five years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, so he is dead to me. Kidding, of course.

Ward, who was taken just four picks ahead of Gronk, had a major hit that would put the former Arizona tight end on the shelf for the rest of the season. In a December 2013 game between the Browns and Patriots, Gronk caught a pass and was running full speed ahead and Ward went low and hit him legally right in the knee. Gronk suffered a torn ACL and MCL a month before the playoffs.

In four seasons with the Browns, Ward compiled 342 tackles, 17 for a loss, with 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, a recovery for a touchdown, 22 passes defended, and five interceptions, one of which was returned for a score. He made the Pro Bowl in his final season with Cleveland.

Then there’s Gronk, who will be a sure-fire, first-ballot Hall of Famer when he is eligible. He has the third-most touchdowns by a tight end with 92, the most seasons with 10-plus touchdowns (5), and most games with 100-plus receiving yards (32). He also has the fifth-most receiving yards by a tight end with 9,286.

Gronk was a huge weapon for one Tom Brady, and the duo has won four Super Bowls together. Gronkowski has the second most postseason receiving touchdowns of all time with 15 (most by a tight end) and third-most receiving yards with 1.389.

He’s a four-time First-Team All-Pro selection, a five-time Pro Bowler, and a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. He was also the 2014 NFL Comeback Player of the Year and was even a WWE 24/7 champion, how ‘bout that?

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