Cleveland Browns: Is there a Left Tackle Controversy?

The Cleveland Browns seem to have figured out their left tackle spot by moving Joel Bitonio outside, but should there still be a controversy?

There could not be bigger shoes to fill than the left tackle spot for the Cleveland Browns. That position was previously held by future Hall of Famer, Joe Thomas, since 2007. While the rest of the offensive line is set from left guard to right tackle, the season is getting closer and closer and the team still doesn’t seem to have a definitive answer for the blindside tackle.

At first, it looked like that the only two real options were either second-round pick, Austin Corbett, or Shon Coleman, a former third-round pick who played last season at right tackle. However, what should be a bit clear at this point is just as cloudy as ever.

Truthfully, Austin Corbett is probably the better blocker of the two. At Nevada, he showed great strength and ability while run blocking.

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His biggest downside is his skill set and size match better for him to move inside to guard or center, plus he was not very good against speed rushers out on the edge. Joe Thomas, himself, even said that Corbett should move inside where he probably belongs.

Shon Coleman is a bit of an enigma. He was a left tackle at Auburn, drafted in the third round in 2016. He played right tackle and left a lot to be desired. He allowed eight sacks as a starter and never really seemed comfortable at the spot. The hope was moving him back to left tackle would be an easy fix but early reports through camp have been that he may not be “the guy”.

In free agency, the Browns also signed a former No. 2 overall pick, Greg Robinson. It was probably a depth/competition move, but now he too is in the mix at left tackle. It’s doubtful he gets the job. He already had that chance with the Rams and fell well short. Besides, the Browns don’t need another Cam Erving.

Plan Z, which somehow is looking like the most likely option is to push Austin Corbett inside and place the team’s best offensive lineman, Joel Bitonio, out to left tackle.

Bitonio is familiar with the left tackle spot, being named 1st Team All-Mountain West at Nevada. However, considering Bitonio is a likely Pro Bowl-caliber guard, it’s puzzling that they would take him off of that spot, possibly making the line worse than it could actually be.

Lucky for Cleveland, they have a month to sort things out before the season really begins. It would be a shame that the potential of this team could get squandered because of one spot on the team. Hopefully, it gets resolved in time, but who knows? Maybe John Dorsey can give Joe Thomas a call.