Surprising tackle in NFL Draft considered best fit for Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are widely expected to select an offensive tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft, but the tackle considered the best fit comes as a surprise.

The Cleveland Browns have undergone a remodel this offseason with a new coaching staff and a reconstructed front office. With a new regime in Cleveland, philosophies and plans for this offseason are likely to be dramatically altered.

However, there is one aspect of the Browns offseason that should not have changed with the new front office and coaching staff. Under John Dorsey as general manager, it was evident the offensive line was going to be a focus of the offseason, most notably improving both tackles.

The offensive line was arguably the biggest weak point for the Browns in 2019 and created plenty of issues for Baker Mayfield and the entire offense. It was such a problem that even the new regime should acknowledge the need to improve the unit during the offseason.

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With the 10th overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, Andrew Berry and the Browns have an opportunity to select one of the best offensive tackles available in the draft. The offensive tackle class has been considered a top-heavy class, so teams looking for offensive tackles will want to find one as soon as possible.

There is a chance by the time the Browns are on the clock at No. 10 overall that a few tackles could be off the board. Jedrick Wills Jr., Mekhi Becton, Tristan Wirfs, and Andrew Thomas have all been considered potential top-10 picks and tackles the Browns could be eyeing.

However, former NFL scout and current draft analyst for NFL Network Daniel Jeremiah does not believe one of those four tackles are the best fit for the Browns offense. Instead, Jeremiah believes USC’s Austin Jackson will emerge as the best fit for Kevin Stefanski’s offensive scheme – via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

"“I know there’s a lot of people that really like Josh Jones from Houston. I think Austin Jackson is going to go ahead of him. I think he’s a better player,” Jeremiah said. “As we go through the combine, I think he’s going to test really well, and I think you’re going to start hearing his name mentioned in that top 15.“If you want somebody to fit that [new Cleveland] offense, I don’t know that anybody fits it better than him. He’s only 20 years old. He’s got great knee bend. He can really move laterally. He’s going to get better. – Daniel Jeremiah via Akron Beacon Journal"

Jackson has been placed in the mid-first round and into the early portion of the second round according to several mock drafts. He is a young prospect who has plenty of raw talent, but has yet to develop into that potential.

Since he is a young prospect and has shown the potential of being a top tackle in the NCAA, teams and offensive line coaches will likely be drooling at the opportunity to develop Jackson in the NFL. However, with more complete tackles in the draft class, Jackson’s value has fallen a bit compared to players such as the four tackles previously mentioned.

One of Jackson’s best traits is his fluent movement and quick feet. In a scheme that needs the offensive linemen to move well laterally, Jackson’s movement ability and athleticism makes him a good fit for what the Browns will ask of their offensive line.

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With the draft still two months away and teams focused on the Combine, team’s draft boards are still going to be rapidly changing. With more time in the draft process, players like Jackson could emerge as being top-10 selections.

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