Linebackers are the heartbeat of a team's defense, so it pays dividends to have a strong stable at this position. Even though the Browns have never had a linebacker represent them in the Hall of Fame, the position has long been a steady one for the franchise. From Cleveland's roots in the All-America Football Conference to its NFL dynasty of the 1950s to its playoff-rich years in the '80s, the Browns have been strong at the linebacker position.
Selection Criteria
To generate a list of the five greatest Browns linebackers of all time, I considered these criteria:
- Legacy Honors: Hall of Fame, Ring of Honor, retired number, etc.