Cleveland Browns: Is Roderick Johnson the left tackle of the future?
By Joel W. Cade
In a surprise move, the Cleveland Browns drafted Roderick Johnson in the fifth round. Could he be the heir apparent to Joe Thomas?
The Cleveland Browns do not need to find Joe Thomas’ heir apparent. Thomas is playing at an extremely high level. He is showing small signs of regression but Thomas’ regression is better than most people’s careers. So, let’s just put the “finding Joe Thomas’ successor” talk on hold.
It was surprising to see the Browns take an offensive tackle in the fifth round when the team selected Roderick Johnson. With left tackle established and a right tackle competition heading into camp, taking another offensive tackle is a bit unusual.
Most NFL rosters only carry three tackles during the season. Adding a fourth tackle means that Johnson must beat out Shon Coleman or Cameron Erving for a roster spot or it means he will have to sit on the practice squad for 2017. Putting Johnson on the practice squad would be a risky proposition.
Roderick Johnson hails from one of the three college football programs who still do a good job developing offensive linemen. Florida State, along with Wisconsin and Iowa, runs a pro-style offense that asks their linemen to do what NFL linemen do. Plus, Florida State has one of the best college offensive line coaches in Rick Trickett.
But who is the Roderick Johnson and why would the Browns take a chance on him?