The comparisons started a year ago … who is better -- Joe Thomas or Jake Long?

First, there's Thomas. The 6-foot-6, 315-pounder was the third overall selection in the 2007 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns, who thought so much of the burly left tackle from Wisconsin to draft him instead of a quarterback -- also a need -- with the pick.

Of course, the Browns addressed the quarterback situation later in the first round by trading with the Dallas Cowboys to take Brady Quinn with the 22nd pick. But how highly did the Browns think of Thomas. He was the first offensive tackle drafted by the Browns in the first round since Bob McKay in 1970.

It would be hard to deny the success Thomas had in his rookie year. He won the starting left tackle spot out of training camp, was named rookie of the month in November -- yes, even beating out all-world rookie Adrian Peterson -- and was chosen to the Pro Bowl as a replacement for the Buffalo Bills' Jason Peters.

Meanwhile, Long, a 6-foot-7, 315-pounder from Michigan, was earning his third letter with the Wolverines and, for all intents and purposes, solidifying himself as the top offensive lineman for the 2008 draft.

But who is better, if there is even a difference.

That's a debate that will rage on for years to come. But one thing that is certain is that after one season, Thomas has made an impact on the Browns offensive line.

"When you're 31st in the NFL in rushing offense (in 2006)," Cleveland general manager Phil Savage told USA Today last August, "a quarterback is not going to help you as much as a franchise left tackle."

To prove Savage's point, the Browns finished in the Top 10 in rushing last year for the first time since 1985. Furthermore, running back Jamal Lewis finished the season fifth in rushing with 1,304 yards -- his best season since his career-best 2,066 rushing yards in 2003.

Thomas' impact wasn't just felt on the running game. With him protecting quarterback Derek Anderson's backside, the Browns finished eighth in the league in total offense and 12th in passing offense. Anderson, also a Pro Bowl selection, finished ninth in passing yards (3,787). Wide receiver Braylon Edwards had the best season of his three-year career with 1,289 receiving yards, good for seventh in the NFL, and 16 touchdowns. Only New England's Randy Moss, with 23, had more receiving TDs.

Meanwhile, Kellen Winslow had 1,106 yards receiving -- third-best among tight ends, behind only Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten.

"He's going to be one of those guys that is going to be good for a long time, goes to a lot of Pro Bowls," Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer in November. "He has good size and great work ethic. Joe is just starting. He's a good football player and a nice guy to build your offensive line around."

Now Long will try to follow Thomas’ lead.

Consider this. During his career at Michigan, the two-time Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year was penalized just twice -- a holding call during his redshirt freshman year and a false start last season. He also only gave up two sacks.

The extra year at Michigan didn't hurt Long's draft prospects, but there was a time a year ago when he considered coming out early for the draft. If he had, maybe him, not Thomas, would've been Cleveland's first choice in 2007 (many speculated this). But, instead, Long decided to stay in school an extra year.

"It was best for me and for the team to stay another year," Long said. "I looked into it a little bit, but I never was close to leaving. I really want my degree, and we have unfinished business as a team."

If there is one thing that separates the two is that Thomas won the 2006 Outland Trophy, given to the nation's top interior lineman -- offensive or defensive. Long was a finalist for the award in 2007, but the award went to LSU's Glen Dorsey.

Another thing that separates the two is the prospect of being the No. 1 pick. Last year, with the Oakland Raiders holding the top pick, there was little chance that Thomas was going to be selected considering the team spent a high first-round pick, No. 2 overall in 2004, on guard Robert Gallery. But Long's name has been mentioned by numerous mock draft boards as a potential No. 1 pick.

"It would be a great honor," Long told USA Today of being the top overall pick.

And while Long would be a safe pick, don't count on it happening -- if history is an indicator.

Only three times in Bill Parcells' 19-year coaching career -- all when he was coaching the New York Giants from 1983 through 1990 -- did he use a first-round pick on an offensive lineman. One of those choices, guard William Roberts in 1984, wasn't even the team's first selection. That was linebacker Carl Banks.

Now that Parcells is working in the front office of the Miami Dolphins, don't bet on Long being the No. 1 overall pick unless the team trades the pick, which could happen.

While none of three offensive linemen that Parcells has chosen in the first round -- Roberts, tackle Eric Moore (1988) and center Brian Williams (1989) -- were major disappointments, he hasn't used a first-round pick on an offensive lineman since.

Could Long change that? Possibly, but I wouldn't bet on it.

But, if you're the St. Louis Rams at pick two, you're probably salivating the thought of having your predecessor in place to replace Orlando Pace for years to come.

Wherever Long goes, he's sure to help stabilize the team's offense, especially on the line. And he's certain to be compared to Thomas no matter what.


Michael Hicks is the managing editor for Draft Stock and an associate editor for the Sports Buff Fantasy Network