An Offensive Line Overhaul May Not Be Possible for Cleveland Browns
Browns offensive linemen Wyatt Teller, left, and Chris Hubbard head to the locker room in training camp on Friday, July 29, 2022 in Berea.
The Cleveland Browns have been in full 2024 preparation mode for some time now. For the most part, a good chunk of this roster will remain under contract, but there are still some surprises to come as Andrew Berry continues to balance the salary cap against the age and talent level of the roster.
Injuries certainly didn’t help the Browns this year on either side of the ball, but the biggest concern for the 2024 season is once again going to be the offensive line. This is one position group where having everyone back isn’t necessarily a positive.
Bill Callahan is revered by many as the best offensive line coach in the NFL. If that truly is the case, this must be one of the least talented groups in the league. They continually underperform, although it certainly didn’t help that they lost their top three offensive tackles and had injuries across the board.
It all starts at left tackle. Jedrick Wills has a fully guaranteed fifth-year option in place and has yet to prove he is worthy of being the No. 10-overall pick four years ago. He’s fought through a lot of injuries, but I was surprised that Berry picked up his fifth-year option.
The crystal ball right now says that Dawand Jones is in line to be the starting left tackle in 2024. The fifth-round pick from last year shined as a rookie, and when he went down with a knee injury towards the end of the season, the pass protection from the group really went downhill.
Jack Conklin should be healthy once again at the right side of the offensive line, but he has had season-ending injuries the last two years and it’s hard to believe he is going to make it through a full season or be able to rehab back to the player he was just three years ago.
In the worst case, the Browns should start the season with Wills and Jones at tackle with Conklin working to get healthy, but I’m still not even close to being sold that Wills is the long-term answer. If healthy, Wills, Jones, and Conklin are a competitive group of three at tackle, but behind that, there is very little depth.
I know most NFL teams don’t have the luxury of having four legit NFL starters at tackle, but the injuries seem to pile up at offensive line for the Browns every single year. And, at this point, I’ve cashed in my chips on James Hudson. He’s shown flashes of being a capable NFL tackle, but he is far too inconsistent and likely needs to focus on a move to the inside to keep his NFL career alive.
The center position is in the best shape of any, with Ethan Pocic and Luke Wypler as the backup. Pocic was a complete surprise last season when Nick Harris went down and has turned into a great starting center. He has the athleticism to block in the open field and also has the punch to stop the bull rush from the biggest nose tackles in the league.
I know I’ll make no friends with this take, but one of them should be gone before the start of the 2024 season. I’m okay if Teller goes even though he is younger.
Joel Bitonio has been a staple in Cleveland and even I want to see him finish his career here. Bitonio would likely consider a restructure as well that would significantly reduce his $12 million cap number in 2024.
Bitonio and Wyatt Teller have proven to be elite run blockers, but both struggle in pass protection. With this offense changing gears with Deshaun Watson at quarterback, Berry may be forced to find an upgrade.
Michael Dunn and Nick Harris will likely be the depth at guard next season with the potential of Hudson also changing positions. Dunn and Harris both got a decent amount of playing time in 2023 because of injuries and both filled in admirably. I’ll feel better if neither is forced to be a starter in 2024, but neither one of them is that far away either. Another offseason of development, especially for Harris, could have him ready to be a starting guard in the NFL next season.
Even though the microscope will be on this position all offseason and much of next year, there won’t be a ton of flexibility for Berry to upgrade in free agency. Finding a trade partner for Teller or cutting Bitonio post June 1 would free up some money, but I’m not sure you’ll see a splashy signing.
The more likely scenario is that the Browns try to develop this position through mid-round draft picks. It doesn’t seem far-fetched to get a starting-caliber guard even in the fourth or fifth round of the draft, and they have a second- and third-round pick to try and get a tackle to develop into a starter.
There are two issues with this plan. One, it doesn’t necessarily help the tackle situation in 2024. Two, someone who has played a ton of snaps for the Browns will end up without a roster spot. Right now, the Browns’ offensive line has turned into the defensive tackle situation a year ago. They have four or five tackles who have played a ton, but unfortunately none of them have proven to be that good or been able to stay healthy.
As this offense gives the keys back to Deshaun Watson, it’s going to be even more important that they figure out the offensive line. Even though the running game won’t be going away, Watson needs time in the pocket to let plays develop in order to play his style of football.
Up Next