Four All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections signified the individual greatness of Marion Motley. But as a team competitor too, Motley enjoyed a ton of success with an NFL Championship and four AAFC Championships to his credit. One of the original pioneers to break the color barrier in the league, Motley was the rushing yards leader in 1948 and 1950, while also suiting up as a linebacker occasionally. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Single-handedly carrying a team to the playoffs from defense seems rather impossible but that is Myles Garrett in the last four seasons. One of the best pass rushers ever, he has 10+ sacks every year since 2018, earning five Pro Bowl selections and a DPOY in 2023. In eight years, he's finished in the top-10 for sacks six times, already on his way to a legendary career.
Unofficially, Clay Matthews Jr. has the third-most tackles all-time with 1,561 in a career that saw him lead the league in tackles four times. A Pro Bowler four times, he is the man behind the legendary interception on Jim Kelly at the goal line in 1989.
In Year 1, Dante Lavelli immediately led the AAFC in receptions and yards, as the Browns won four-straight AAFC titles starting that year. His dominance continued in the NFL as well, as the Browns won three-straight titles, including an 11-reception, two touchdown game in their first title, earning the nickname "Mr. Clutch".
Succeeding Jim Brown was always going to be an impossibility, however, Leroy Kelly did a might fine job with it, starting off with three-straight 1,000-yard seasons. Twice, he led the league in yards and yards per carry, while scoring the most touchdowns all three years. He was selected to six-straight Pro Bowl nominations as the Browns got to two more NFL Championship Games under his watch.
One of the all-time greats at the tight end position, Ozzie Newsome led the Browns to three AFC Championship Games in a career that saw three Pro Bowl selections. With 7,980 yards, 47 touchdowns, and 662 receptions, Newsome led all tight ends in NFL history in yards and receptions.
Ten-straight Pro Bowl selections to start his career was mind-boggling to say the least, but after 10,000 consecutive snaps, a torn triceps injury forced Joe Thomas into early retirement. However, he still led the game as one of the greatest and highly-regarded offensive linemen of all-time.
A kicker and offensive tackle all in one, Lou Groza was the man on the frontline during the Browns' first three NFL Championship runs. A Day-1 member, he also won four AAFC titles with the team, had nine Pro Bowl selections and held the career scoring record at the time of his retirement in 1967.
Otto Graham was the quarterback leading the charge for seven titles for the Cleveland Browns, four in the AAFC and three in the NFL. He won seven titles in just 10 seasons, with three NFL MVPs on his resume. He was the league leader in passing twice, while also recording the most touchdowns once.
Very few people can legitimately make a case for being the greatest of all-time but Jim Brown is a part of that very short list. A Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection were guarantees for Brown as he was selected in each of his nine seasons in the league, becoming the best RB of all-time. He led the league in rushing yards in eight out of his nine seasons, he also won three MVPs, before winning his lone title in 1964. He finished his career with the most rushing yards in league history at 12,312, which was later broken. However, he still has the highest rushing yards per game average in history at 104.3.
