While there were African Americans in pro football before Marion Motley, they had been phased out, but this was about to change after World War II.  Motley tried out for the Cleveland Browns of the new All-American Football Conference, and he made the team and would become of the best players in team history.

Motley was an excellent rusher who won the AAFC Rushing Title in 1948 and the NFL Rushing Title in 1950, and he was a large part of the Cleveland juggernaut that won all four AAFC Championships and the 1950 NFL Championship.  He was also incredibly valuable as a blocker and helped open up Otto Graham's passing game. 

Motley had 5,827 Yards From Scrimmage, an excellent total for his era.  In 2010, Motley was part of the first group of former Browns named to their Ring of Honor.

Backs.  The Cleveland Browns of the 1960s had some of the best runners, and Dick Schafrath was a big reason they found as much opportunity to run as they did. 

Stepping in from Ohio State, Dick Schafrath maintained the high-level coaches expected at that position.  He protected the weak side brilliantly but used his robust frame to create holes for Cleveland's backs.  In fact, on eight occasions, Cleveland Browns' Running Backs won the rushing title with Schafrath anchoring the left side.

As a four-time First Team All-Pro, it is a little curious that he hasn't received a look from the Hall, but he doesn't need the accolade to complete his existence with the excellent post-football life he led. 

Schafrath was named to the Browns Legends list in 2003.

From Ole Miss, Gene Hickerson was chosen in the Seventh Round in the 1957 Draft, where Cleveland Browns Head Coach, Paul Brown, liked his speed and moved him to the Right Tackle position, where he became their starter in his second season.  As Hickerson improved, his 1961 Season was taken from him due to a broken leg, but he returned the following season as a greater asset that protected Jim Brown and company.

Hickerson helped Cleveland win the 1964 NFL Championship, and as he turned 30, he defied time and grew into one of the top Guards in football.  From 1965 to 1970, Hickerson put forth an Approximate Value of at least 11, peaking with 18 in 1968.  In all of those six years, Hickerson went to the Pro Bowl and was a First Team All-Pro from 1967 to 1969.  Hickerson played until the end of the 1973 Season, and he retired with the team he started with, finishing with 202 Games Played.  

Hickerson received the Pro Football Hall of Fame call in 2007.  Three years later, he was part of the first Browns Ring of Honor class.  Notably, Hickerson was also named to the 1960s All-Decade Team.

At the time of his retirement, many felt that Ozzie Newsome was one of the most prolific Tight Ends in football history, and some say he still is.

Taken in the First Round (23^rd Overall) out of Alabama, Newsome brought his blocking and receiving skills to the Browns in 1978.  Known for his cerebral play, Newsome helped take the Browns to two AFC Championship Games, and he would have three 1,000-Yard seasons, which were excellent for a Tight End in the 1980s.  Newsome played his entire career with Cleveland, accumulating 7,980 Yards with 47 Touchdowns.

Newsome was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996, his first year of eligibility, and was part of the first class of the Browns Ring of Honor in 2010.  As an executive, he orchestrated teams that won two Super Bowls when the franchise relocated to Baltimore.