Cleveland Browns 2019 NFL Draft Prospects: Offensive Tackles
By Shane Carter
With a need at offensive tackle, the Cleveland Browns should kick the tires on every player capable of producing at an NFL level.
For once in what feels like forever, the Cleveland Browns main priority this off-season is not quarterback. Instead, Cleveland’s main objective should be giving Baker Mayfield everything he needs to succeed.
If we follow the formula that teams like the Eagles, Rams, and Colts did, we see a pattern:
Head coach, offensive coordinator that works with the skill set of the quarterback, plenty of quality weapons (running backs, tight ends, and receivers) and a great overall offensive line built through both the draft and free agency.
Baker Mayfield succeeded with Freddie Kitchens as OC. Check. Baker Mayfield has plenty of players to get the ball like Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry, David Njoku, Antonio Callaway, and Duke Johnson. Check. Now, we come to the offensive line.
Truthfully, the Browns might have the best interior offensive line in football. Center J.C. Tretter looks like he’s the center for the future in Cleveland, Kevin Zeitler had another great season and Joel Bitonio is coming off an All-Pro/Pro Bowl season. The only question marks are at the tackle spots.
Desmond Harrison had an up and down season as an undrafted rookie, Greg Robinson seemingly saved his career after a solid fill-in and Chris Hubbard was a disappointment, hardly justifying his $7.5 million a year salary.
Despite reports of the team wanting to extend Greg Robinson, and the upside Desmond Harrison still has, don’t be surprised if the team picks two offensive tackles. Last year was the year to pick a guard, but this year there are so many more options at tackle.