Cleveland Browns: What will the offensive line look like in 2018?
By Dan Justik
Chris Hubbard
The Browns signed Hubbard to a five year, $36.5 million contract during the first days of free agency this offseason. The size of the contract surprised some around the league, but Browns offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s familiarity with Hubbard made the signing understandable.
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Hubbard played in all 16 games for the Steelers, starting ten of those games. He has experience playing all five positions on the offensive line, but most of his time came at right tackle.
Hubbard had a solid 2017 season, with Pro Football Focus giving him an overall grade of 69.6. But Hubbard’s season was better than what the score says of him. In 847 snaps last season, Hubbard only surrendered three sacks, 35 pressures, and only three penalties, according to Pro Football Focus.
Hubbard will help secure the right side of the line for the Browns as he will be the starting right tackle, which was a major issue for the team last season.
Shon Coleman
A third round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Coleman started all 16 games for the Browns last season at right tackle. But after a down season and the signing of Hubbard, he will be losing that starting job.
However, after the retirement of Thomas, Coleman is now slated to be the team’s starting left, although it is unlikely he keeps the starting job by the start of the regular season.
Coleman was miserable last season for the Browns, surrendering eight sacks on the season. He also was flagged ten times during the season, with seven of the penalties being holding, according to the Washington Post.
Although Coleman may feel more comfortable on the left side of the line, it is hard to see him managing to win arguably the most important starting position on the offensive line at left tackle.