The NFL returned to Cleveland in 1999, giving back to the city a team that had long shaped its identity. It hasn’t been a winning product often at Ohio sportsbooks, but it beats the void the Dawg Pound had in the three seasons after Art Modell took his team to Baltimore.
The Browns have not won a division title since 1989, and the odds say – +3000 at BetMGM – they’re likely to not win the AFC North this season. Still, several outstanding players have put on the trademark orange helmet over the past 25 years.
As we await to see who the team takes with their first-round pick in the NFL Draft, BetOhio.com has put together the Cleveland Browns Quarter-Century Team. We created it using Pro Football Reference’s Approximate Value stat and picking the top player(s) who played from 2000 to 2024.
Position | Player | Years With Team | Approximate Value During Years |
QB | Baker Mayfield | 2018-2021 | 45 |
RB | Nick Chubb | 2018-Present | 52 |
WR | Dennis Northcutt | 2000-2006 | 33 |
WR | Jarvis Landry | 2018-2021 | 32 |
TE | David Njoku | 2017-Present | 29 |
OT | Joe Thomas | 2007-2017 | 108 |
G | Joel Bitonio | 2014-Present | 89 |
C | Alex Mack | 2009-2015 | 45 |
G | Wyatt Teller | 2019-Present | 39 |
OT | Ryan Tucker | 2002-2008 | 31 |
The revolving door at quarterback is well known, and that Baker Mayfield is the team’s quarterback probably stings for some Browns fans, as the former No. 1 pick has revived his career in Tampa Bay. Without a doubt, the best player on the offense is Joe Thomas, who was a Pro Bowl tackle 10 times and a six-time All-Pro. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023.
Nick Chubb, whose return last season from an awful knee injury the year prior ended early due to a broken foot, has odds of +5000 to be the NFL Comeback Player of the Year at bet365 Ohio. He’s not the only Browns player on the list. Deshaun Watson is listed at +3500.
Position | Player | Years With Team | Approximate Value During Years |
DE | Myles Garrett | 2017-Present | 104 |
DT | Ahtyba Rubin | 2008-2014 | 38 |
DT | Gerard Warren | 2001-2004 | 28 |
DE | Orpheus Roye | 2000-2007 | 48 |
LB | D’Qwell Jackson | 2006-2013 | 50 |
LB | Andra Davis | 2002-2008 | 43 |
LB | Christian Kirksey | 2014-2019 | 27 |
CB | Denzel Ward | 2018-Present | 49 |
S | TJ Ward | 2010-2013 | 27 |
S | Tashaun Gipson | 2012-2015 | 23 |
CB | Joe Haden | 2010-2016 | 47 |
The star of this unit is Myles Garrett, whom many consider to be the best defensive player in the game. A four-time first-team All-Pro selection, Garrett won the 2023 AP Defensive Player of the Year Award and came in third last season. He’s Cleveland’s all-time sack leader with 102.5 in his eight-year career.
FanDuel Ohio oddsmakers have installed Garrett as their favorite to win the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year Award, giving him odds of +700.
After Garret, this defense would rely heavily on its secondary, all of whom made at least one Pro Bowl. Denzel Ward is one of the league’s top corners. Last season, he led the league with 19 passes defensed.
Position | Player | Years With Team | Approximate Value During Years |
K | Phil Dawson | 2000-2012 | 43 |
P | Chris Gardocki | 2000-2003 | 14 |
When it comes to longevity, only Lou “The Toe” Groza tops Dawson, who made 84% of his field goal tries for the Browns in his career, which started with Cleveland in 1999. He became the full-time kicker in 2000 and between that season and 2012, Dawson made 84.6% of his field goals (297 for 351). That includes nearly 71% of his attempts from 50 yards and beyond (24 for 34).
USA Today photo by Ron Chenoy.
Author
Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.
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