The fourth installment of the 2015 Cleveland Browns roster analysis focuses on the team’s strength: the offensive line.
The 2015 NFL season was another brutal one for Cleveland Browns players and fans alike. A 3-13 record led to head coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer getting fired, ushering in another rebuilding process.
After another painful season in Cleveland, it is time to look back at the good that can be found amongst the bad.
The offense as a whole did not do much good throughout the season, but the offensive line remained the team’s one true strength on offense.
The offensive line was the league’s fifth best, according to Pro Football Focus, which noted that:
"The tackles were the highlight of the line, with both Thomas and Mitchell Schwartz playing extremely well. The interior play prevented this line from being any higher on the list, though both guards were far from disappointing, and Alex Mack never a liability. We’ve just seen them all play better, with it not coming together this year."
The Browns are facing questions, however, about keeping the unit intact.
Cleveland almost traded left tackle Joe Thomas during the season, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz is a free agent, and center Alex Mack can opt out of his contract in search of a better deal.
To sort out how the offensive line performed in 2015, and what Browns fans can expect in 2016, Dawg Pound Daily’s Eric Sczcepinski has assigned grades and provides an outlook for what to expect from each player in 2016.
This is the final installment in this series for the offense, and the defensive grades will be rolling out shortly.
Next: Joe Thomas
Joe Thomas
Age: 31
Experience: 9 years
Contract status: Free agent 2019
Mr. Reliable did it again for the Browns. Thomas was elected to his ninth consecutive Pro Bowl this season and has yet to miss a single snap since entering the NFL. Thomas has been a Browns quarterback’s best friend since entering the league in 2007. Despite being on the wrong age of 30, Thomas was the top-rated lineman in pass protection and best overall lineman according to Pro Football Focus. Thomas has shown no signs of diminishing, as he remains the top left tackle in the game.
Related: Joe Thomas earns 8th All-Pro nod
2016 outlook:
Thomas was disgruntled about another losing season and yet another fired head coach. He was unsure about his future as a Brown, but new head coach Hue Jackson was confident Thomas would like the plans set forth for the Browns and, after meeting with Jackson, the nine time Pro Bowler is set on staying in Cleveland.
“Certainly I love the people in Cleveland. It’s my home. I love the city. I love everything about it,” Thomas said. “So I definitely want to be part of the turnaround.”
Next: Mitchell Schwartz
Mitchell Schwartz
Age: 26
Experience: 4 years
Contract status: Free agent 2016
In his fourth season Schwartz took a leap in his progression, becoming a top right tackle across the league. In previous seasons, Schwartz was considered the weak link on the Browns line. However, Schwartz ranked as the top right tackle for a majority of the season, according to Pro Football Focus. In his contract year, Schwartz proved he could be a solid starting right tackle. Between Thomas and Schwartz, the Browns have one of the best tackle tandems in the league.
Related: Stay or go on these eight free agents?
2016 outlook:
Schwartz is going to get a huge payday. It would be wise for the Browns to lock up their right tackle for the future and make him their top free agent priority, keeping the core of the offensive line together.
Next: Joel Bitonio
Joel Bitonio
Age: 24
Experience: 2 years
Contract status: Free agent 2018
Bitonio was an instant plug-in player at left guard for the Browns when he was drafted out of Nevada in 2014. Bitonio emerged as one of the top guards during his rookie campaign, receiving All-Rookie and All-AFC honors from the Pro Football Writers Association.
Bitonio was well on his way to a solid sophomore season before suffering a high ankle sprain that limited his season to 10 games. According to Pro Football, focus Bitonio was one of the better blockers but had a slight decline in his pass protection.
2016 outlook:
Bitonio is an example of where the Browns got instant production from a high draft pick. Bitonio has been a day one starter in this league, and has shown he is the long-term answer at left guard for the Browns, as he is solid in both run and pass protections.
Next: John Greco
John Greco
Age: 30
Experience: 8 years
Contract status: Free agent 2018
The veteran Greco has been on the Browns starting line for the past four seasons and has been nothing but a dependable lineman. Greco is often referred to as a liability among the Browns line, but has continually proven his value.
In 2015 the Browns drafted offensive lineman Cameron Erving, who played center in college but was believed to be a challengers this year to Greco’s starting right guard spot. But Greco beat out Erving and was again a productive starting right guard spot.
Greco suffered a sprained MCL in Week 15 and missed the last two games of the season. Pro Football Focus ranked Greco as the 37th overall guard this season, out of 82 eligible players.
2016 outlook:
Greco will enter the 2016 season as the Browns starting right guard again. However, there will be debate whether or not Erving will be able to beat out Greco for a starting spot on the line.
Next: Alex Mack
Alex Mack
Age: 30
Experience: 7 years
Contract status: Can opt out of his current deal and become an unrestricted free agent
Mack has been nothing short of an outstanding center since being drafted by the Browns in 2009. The value of Mack’s presence was clearly seen in 2014 when the Browns entire offensive line suffered when he sustained a season-ending injury five games into the season.
Mack returned to start all 16 games this season, playing at a high level, and being selected to his third Pro Bowl.
Mack is an extremely valuable part to the Browns offense, and his decision this offseason will play a major factor in the future of the Browns offense. Mack is technically signed through the 2019 season, but he has a player voidable contract he can use between the 2016 and 2018 seasons.
Mack has stressed how badly he wants to play for a winner and with another coaching change; Cleveland might not be the place where Mack wants to play in 2016.
2016 outlook:
It’s simple, head coach Hue Jackson must sell Mack on his plan for the Browns and hope his pitch to Mack works similar to how it worked with Joe Thomas. Mack has been nothing but a phenomenal center and deserves to play for a contender, but it would be a huge boost if Mack were to stick around with his teammate and close friend in Thomas.
Next: Cameron Erving
Cameron Erving
Age: 23
Experience: 1 year
Contract status: Free agent 2019
The rookie first-round draft pick from Florida State was considered the most versatile lineman in the 2015 draft class. Experts projected Erving could play all five spots on the line, providing the Browns with a solid lineman no matter where he played. Erving was also praised throughout training camp for learning multiple positions across the line.
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
- 5 Free agents from Super Bowl LVII Cleveland Browns should target
Erving did not beat anyone out on the starting line and began the season as a backup, seeing time in jumbo extra lineman formations and served on the field goal unit. However, Erving struggled mightily on the field goal unit allowing multiple blocked kicks. Erving started four games at guard at the end of the season following the injuries to Joel Bitonio and John Greco.
Erving struggled during his time on the field, making highlights for the wrong reasons. Erving was often caught off-balance and getting blown up by opposing defensive lineman. Erving was then benched after two starts.
Erving got another opportunity to start where he showed improvement in technique and play, but still had to many negative plays. Erving has the work ethic and physical makeup to become a solid offensive lineman for the Browns, but he remains a work in progress. Erving lacks physical strength and needs a full off-season to add strength and get in better shape.
2016 outlook:
Being a first-round draft pick comes with big expectations and Erving failed to live up to that. Erving needs to work hard to get himself in better shape and continue to work on his technique to be in a position to compete for a starting spot in 2016.
Next: Austin Pasztor and Michael Bowie
Austin Pasztor
Age: 25
Experience: 3 years
Contract status: Free agent 2016
Pasztor was claimed by the Browns off waivers after he failed to make the Jacksonville Jaguars final 53-man roster. Pasztor had more than 20 games in his career with Jacksonville, and provided the Browns with versatility and experience as a backup lineman.
Pasztor ended up starting four games when the Browns when injuries occurred and Cameron Erving struggled. Pasztor held his own at guard and played physical, giving the Browns someone they can count on from the second team.
2016 outlook:
Pasztor is a free agent and the new coaching staff will need to make a decision on him. It would be wise to retain Pasztor as he provided starting experience and depth for the Browns line.
Michael Bowie
Age: 24
Experience: 3 years
Contract status: Free agent 2017
The Browns claimed Bowie and kept him on injured reserve in 2014 after being released by the Seattle Seahawks. Bowie made a return trip to the injured reserve list again in 2015 with a shoulder injury.
Bowie started nine games in 2013 with Seattle and helped pave the way to an excellent rushing attack. The Browns hope Bowie is healthy and can compete in 2016.