The best wide receiver in Browns history?

Hudson native Dante Lavelli, a Pro Football Hall of Famer?

Fellow Hall of Famer Paul Warfield, a Warren Harding High School product?

Gary Collins, the hero, along with quarterback Frank Ryan, of the 1964 NFL Championship Game?

Or Mac Speedie, who caught the most passes on those great early Browns teams?

As I said in my last post, not just a case, but more importantly a solid case, can be made for any of them to be No. 1.

But after a lot of thought – and considerable back-and-forth – I’m going with Warfield. When everything was added together, he came out on top – not by a whole lot, but on top nonetheless.

He had 271 career receptions, which ties him with tight end Milt Morin for just 11th place in club history, but that’s only because he played just seven seasons. He was with the Browns for nine years (1964-69, 1976-77), but missed virtually of 1965 with a broken collarbone. The Browns, who had won the NFL title in 1964, with tons of help from the rookie (52 catches for 920 yards, 17.7 yards-per-catch average and nine touchdowns, all team-highs), but without him, they couldn’t repeat. That says a lot.

As smooth of a receiver as there has been in pro football history, the Ohio State two-way back had 52 TD receptions and a 19.2 average, both of which are second all-time on the Browns.

Here are the other three receivers:

*2. Dante Lavelli (played with the Browns from 1946-56) – When Otto Graham needed to make a big play in the passing game, he looked for Lavelli. He was the go-to man in pressure situations. In fact, his TD catch was the game-winner in the Browns’ 14-9 decision over the New Yankees in the 1946 All-America Football Conference Championship Game., and he also had two scoring grabs in the 30-28 triumph over the Los Angeles Rams in the 950 NFL title game. That says a lot, too.

*3. Gary Collins (1962-71) – His 331 receptions are second in club history, and the best by a wideout. And his 70 TD catches are the most, by a long shot. He did that when defensive backs could mug wide receivers and not get flagged. What would he have done in today’s game, where the rules have all flipped into the pass-catchers’ favor? That says a lot.

*4. Mac Speedie (1946-52) – He bolted the Canadian Football League after just seven years with the Browns, and but three in the NFL. Had he stayed, he would be a Hall of Famer. He had more receptions than Lavelli in five of those seven seasons. That says a lot.

I’ll continue the list of the Browns’ best wide receivers over my next two posts.