Cleveland Browns: 53 man roster prediction ahead of training camp
By Randy Gurzi
Offensive Line (9): Shone Coleman, Joel Bitonio, J.C. Tretter, Kevin Zeitler, Chris Hubbard, Austin Corbett, Greg Robinson, Austin Reiter, Desmond Harrison
One of the biggest questions this entire offseason is who the team will trot out at left tackle. That hasn’t been an issue since 2007 when Joe Thomas first joined the team. Now with him retired, the franchise needs a new blindside protector.
It seems like Shon Coleman is the next man up but he gives little confidence. At right tackle, he had his issues and it’s not like the left side is easier. The good news is he has the tools needed to succeed, the team will just have to find a way to get him ready in time.
Their other starting tackle on the opposite side is Chris Hubbard. He has 14 career starts but showed enough that the Browns wanted to give him a hefty contract. That solidifies his spot but doesn’t mean he will be an All-Pro by any means.
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The interior is much stronger. Left guard Joel Bitonio is one of the best in the league at his job. There’s talk of him taking the left tackle spot if Coleman can’t hang, but this would hurt Bitonio’s position because no one can do what he can inside. J.C. Tretter is a serviceable starter at center and Kevin Zeitler is a good right guard. There will be a lot of running room with these guys and pressure up the middle will be minimal.
Primary backups will be Greg Robinson — a former No. 2 overall pick and Austin Corbett. Robinson can be a swing tackle for them and Corbett can play any position. The long-term goal may be for him to take over for Tretter though.
Austin Reiter remains in case Corbett isn’t ready to be the backup center just yet. Spencer Drango is the final cut from this group as undrafted rookie Desmond Harrison offers immensely more potential.