Sabermetric value analysis of Cleveland Browns O-Line and running backs

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: JC Tretter #64, Joel Bitonio #75, and Greg Robinson #78 of the Cleveland Browns walk to the line of scrimmage against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Offensive line has stars, but also some holes

Compared to the running backs, the offensive line is a different story. Center J.C. Tretter and guard Joel Bitonio are playing at a very high level, more than living up to the expectations established by their contracts. Tretter is the 13th-highest paid center in the NFL and is graded as the sixth-highest graded center by PFF. Bitonio has the 15th highest cap hit, but is graded as the fourth highest overall guard, meaning that the Browns are getting a lot of value.

Eric Kush is paid like a starter (38th overall cap hit), but is graded like a backup at 66th overall.

Greg Robinson has disappointed many fans, starting from the opener, when he got thrown out for punching an opponent and effectively killed any chance for a Browns comeback after Kendall Lamm was injured. But he does some good things as well and PFF ranks him as the 26th best tackle in the league, or better than average given that there are 64 starters league-wide. The Browns do not pay that much for Robinson, whose cap hit is 30th in the league among tackles.

Chris Hubbard came highly recommended by Browns former offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who knew Hubbard from their time together in Pittsburgh. But Hubbard grades only 64th best in the league, about the same as Kush, even though Hubbard gets paid more than Tretter.

Having Kush and Hubbard both on the right side has been a crushing handicap this season, so much so that it would not be a surprise to see Lamm and McCray get their shot, perhaps against the Patriots this week.

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