Cleveland Browns: Is it time for Austin Corbett?

The Cleveland Browns have struggled on offense. With the change in coaches, is it time to go into full protection mode for Baker Mayfield?

The Cleveland Browns have given Desmond Harrison an opportunity at left tackle. At this point, he has proven he is not ready for the challenge right now. He may be up for the challenge later down the road, but with the Browns needing to protect quarterback Baker Mayfield, it is time to put the 33rd pick in the NFL draft on the field.

Desmond Harrison was an undrafted free agent for a reason. He dealt with off the field problems during his tenure at the University of Texas. He was suspended a total of three times. He then spent two years out of football. He finished his final year at West Georgia. Off the field concerns combined with lack of development resulted in him being undrafted.

Nevertheless, he was thrust into the starting role week 1 after spending most of the preseason injured. Harrison started the year off roughly. He was manhandled by the Pittsburgh linebackers in Week 1.

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The New Orleans Saints abused him as well in Week 2. But when it came to teams with lesser pass rushers like the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders, he improved vastly. But then the pass rushers came back to town and Harrison has regressed to his Week 1 and 2 form.

Harrison is not a bad player. He is simply a project. He is a project that is not progressing. At this point, his play is hurting the Browns offense. Baker cannot drop back for a pass without pressure from his blindside. Last week his play literally cost the Browns points.

It has come to the point where the project is not working out, for now. It may work out next season. But now, it is time for plan B. The Browns need to act when it comes to left tackle, if for no other reason than to keep Mayfield upright.

The Browns have a couple options to address the issue with left tackle (and also right tackle). They could call quick passing plays designed to get playmakers the ball in space. This seems to be what the offense is being built to do anyway. This would make the most sense. But with new offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens taking over, it is unsure what direction the offense will take.

A better option would be to move left guard Joel Bitonio back to left tackle. At this point in the season, the Browns need to focus on protecting Baker Mayfield so he can continue his progress. This is Baker’s team. But he cannot run it or progress if he is injured. Bitonio gives the Browns the best option at left tackle.

On the flip side, Austin Corbett was the 33rd overall pick in the NFL draft for a reason. General manager John Dorsey saw something in him he liked. Given Dorsey’s success in the draft, maybe it is time to find out what Dorsey liked about him. It is entirely possible that Corbett could be a miss, but we will never know unless he gets on the field.

Corbett did not look good in the preseason. He is transitioning from left tackle to guard. The positions require different skill sets and techniques. Hopefully, he has progressed over the past eight weeks. But if not, left tackle is a priority position over left guard. It would be better for the Browns to have a project at guard as opposed to tackle.

Moving Bitonio to left tackle is the best option. It gives Baker some peace of mind on the blind side. It allows Corbett to develop with on the job training. It also allows Desmond Harrison to focus on getting better on the scout team.

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Can Austin Corbett play guard at the NFL level? It is time to find out if Austin Corbett is the man.

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