Safety Tashaun Gipson's six interceptions in 2014 have been exceeded only once in the Browns' expansion era. (ESPN)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
One in a series.
Under normal circumstances, the practice of rounding up and signing undrafted players immediately after a draft is a competitive slugfest for NFL GMs.
Teams vie for coveted undrafted players with signing bonuses that are much smaller than given players drafted in the seventh, or last, round.
But undrafted players have the advantages of being able to choose their teams and receive three-year contracts, as opposed to four-year deals, and thus can reach free agency quicker than drafted players. Sometimes it’s better to be undrafted.
Most undrafted players weren’t invited to the NFL Combine and rely on pro days or personal workouts to impress teams before the draft. The coronavirus pandemic wiped out these events, however, presenting yet another obstacle to teams this draft season.
Undrafted players have a long history of success. Among the notable undrafted players are Hall of Famers Kurt Warner and John Randle, and decorated pros such as Jason Peters, Tony Romo, Antonio Gates and Wes Welker.
The Browns have had their share of undrafted success stories. These are the best of their expansion era.
1. KR-PR/WR Josh Cribbs (Kent State)
2005. GM: Phil Savage.
The converted quarterback made three Pro Bowls as a returner and still co-holds three league records and seven Browns franchise records. What made him unique among specialists was his impact as a gunner in punt coverage; he led the Browns five times in special teams tackles. Cribbs also seemed to have more to offer as a Wildcat quarterback. His career bests were 381 yards rushing and 518 receiving. He had 11 career touchdowns as a returner, plus nine from scrimmage.
2. S Tashaun Gipson (Wyoming)
2012. GM: Tom Heckert.
His six interceptions in 2014 hold up as the most by a Browns player since 2001 and earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl. He also led the NFL with 158 yards on interception returns, following 143 the year before. In 2016, Gipson struck gold in free agency with a five-year, $36 million contract from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although unsigned for 2020, his 23 career interceptions rank 15th among active players.
3. CB Leigh Bodden (Duquesne University)
2003. GM: Butch Davis.
His 38 starts in five years with the Browns included some legendary duels against Cincinnati receiver Chad Johnson in his prime and eventually attracted interest from Bill Belichick. Bodden had a three-interception game with the Patriots and led them with five interceptions in 2009, earning him a second contract with $10 million in guarantees.
4. RB Isaiah Crowell (Alabama State)
2014. GM: Ray Farmer.
He played every game for the Browns in four years and led them in rushing three seasons in a row. He signed a three-year contract with the Jets in free agency and then suffered his low point with an offensive gesture after a touchdown against his former team. He missed the 2019 season with a torn Achilles injury and is not signed for 2020.
5. LB Craig Robertson (North Texas)
2011. GM: Tom Heckert.
After making 37 starts in four years with the Browns, he signed in free agency with the Saints and led them in tackles in 2016. At 32, he’ll enter his fifth year in New Orleans now as a backup and his ninth overall in the NFL.
Honorable mention: OL Shaun O'Hara (2000), WR Lance Moore (2005), CB K’Waun Williams (2014), P Jamie Gillan (2019), WR Willie Snead (2014), WR Derrick Willies (2018).