John Kuntz, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Frankly, I’d rather not think about life without Joe Thomas. He’s the best player to wear a Browns uniform since they returned in 1999 and he belongs on the team's Mount Rushmore of all-time greats. He will undoubtedly make it into the Hall of Fame the minute he’s eligible.

He has become the face of this franchise, the voice of reason in the locker room and, even though he was born and raised in Wisconsin, he’s as much a Clevelander in many fans’ eyes as any player to ever come through here.

Oh, and just in case you were wondering, even at age 33, he just had another incredible season. He would have been a more-than-deserving Pro Bowler had he not been injured against Tennessee. He still finished the season as the fourth-highest rated tackle by the grading website ProFootballFocus.com.

There aren’t many tackles on either side like Thomas, guys you can leave on an island against anyone. You never have to bring help. He just blocks the guy, whether it’s Khalil Mack or Joey Bosa or anyone else. That matters and it showed when Spencer Drango was playing left tackle. It creates a domino effect when you have to help where you didn’t before. You can’t prove a negative, but I’m confident that Za’Darius Smith wouldn’t have smoked Thomas for that strip sack in Week 15 that the Ravens recovered for a touchdown -- and that's just one example.

Thomas retiring isn’t ideal on many levels, on the field and off the field, for the team or its fans. It’s something that could happen, though, and it’s something we all need to prepare for. So what options do the Browns have if Thomas decides he’s done playing? Let’s take a look.

Before we go on, take some time to read about how Thomas has been keeping busy from his exclusive interview with cleveland.com in December.

Dan Labbe, cleveland.com

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Internal options

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Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

Shon Coleman

This is the first instance of robbing Peter to pay Paul on this list. Coleman was up-and-down at right tackle, but he likely did enough to merit keeping his job in a season where the roster has so many other needs.

Coleman worked some at left tackle during training camp last season on days when Thomas didn't practice. Of course, if you move Coleman, you then have to find his replacement.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Spencer Drango

Talk about an unfair situation. Drango was forced into action to replace Thomas, something that seemed unthinkable when it happened. He got off to a decent start, holding Vikings pass rusher extraordinaire Everson Griffen at bay for most of the game in London, albeit with some help.

The reality with Drango, though, is that he's best suited to play inside at guard. Could there be an opening for him if the Browns moved one of their interior players to Thomas' position? We'll get to that in a minute.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Zach Banner

The Browns claimed Banner off waivers prior to the season. The fourth-round pick was cut by the Colts.

Banner didn't see much action during his rookie season. His personality is as large as his 6-foot-8, 360 pound stature, but it would be risky to count on Banner as your starter.

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Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

Rod Johnson

Johnson spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve with a knee injury. He was a fifth round pick in 2017.

Maybe Johnson could follow Coleman's route, essentially having a redshirt year and getting an opportunity in Year No. 2. The difference, of course, is that Coleman got some real reps in his rookie year. Johnson was shaky in what little we saw of him in training camp, especially when going against fellow rookie Myles Garrett.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Joel Bitonio

Here's that other instance of robbing Peter to pay Paul -- and that move that could open up a spot for Drango inside.

Bitonio was a Pro Bowl alternate this year after returning from Lisfranc surgery and he's been a very good left guard when he has been healthy. He also played tackle in college and has the size and athleticism to handle the position.

Free agency

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Don Wright, Associated Press

Nate Solder

There just isn't much there to pick through right now. That could change if players start getting released, but for now this is the only legitimate option, at least if you're looking strictly at left tackles.

Solder turns 30 in April, but he has started 95 games in his seven-year career and has only missed significant time once when he played just four games in 2015.

Draft options

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Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press

Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame

McGlinchey is considered by most as the top tackle prospect in the draft. That means that if the Browns wanted him it would take either the No. 4 overall pick or a trade up into at least the early teens, if not higher.

So this one isn't likely.

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Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

Orlando Brown Jr., Oklahoma

The son of the late former Brown of the same name is among a group of tackles that could fall anywhere in the mid-to-late first round or in the second round.

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Danny Moloshok, Associated Press

More draft options

There are other late Day 1 or Day 2 options available should the Browns need to use an early pick on a tackle. Here are some more names to remember:

Kolton Miller, UCLA

Brian O'Neill, Pitt

Connor Williams, Texas

Martinas Rankin, Mississippi State

Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan

Desmond Harrison, OT, West Georgia

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