Cleveland Browns need to build as a run-first, cold weather, natural turf team

Building a Run-First Offensive Line

A run-first team is going to have to invest in some serious offensive tackles and not short change those positions. That is not what the Browns have done. They have center J.C. Tretter and Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio, but weaknesses at right guard and both tackle positions.

Of course, in the NFL, it is not possible to simply go out and sign All-Pro free agents at every position. There are going to be some players at close to the NFL minimum. However, the Browns offense has their two biggest salaries at wide receiver.

The Browns tackles have been a lower priority, judging by their budget. Right tackle Chris Hubbard was the 28th highest paid tackle in the NFL and left tackle Greg Robinson was 31st. In other words, with 64 starting tackles league-wide, the Browns paid slightly above average at that position in 2019. Not only that, but both players underperformed. If the Browns had had better performances from those two positions, Chubb might still be running. A 2,000 yard season is not out of the question. He might have a shot at 2,000 rushing yards with the right support.

The Browns have developed a nasty habit of acquiring “tweener” linemen for the tackle position, or in other words players who are better suited at guard, but who might be able to play tackle too.  Current right tackle Chris Hubbard is the smallest starter at his position in the NFL at 295 pounds.  He would be way better off at guard or perhaps center, not at right tackle.

The Browns will probably have two new starting tackles in 2020.  One will probably be acquired via free agency or trade, and the other may come from the NFL draft.

This year’s draft is rich with mutant offensive tackles. Most analysts have four players rated as first round picks at that position. They include:

• Jedrick Wills, Alabama (Junior, 6-foot-5, 320 pounds)
• Andrew Thomas, Georgia (Junior, 6-foot-5, 320 pounds)
• Mekhi Becton, Louisville (Junior, 6-foot-7, 369 pounds)
• Tristan Wirfs, Iowa (Junior, 6-foot-5, 322 pounds)

Wirfs’ power lifting feats and Combine performance are off the charts, though the scouts had generally preferred the top three of Wills, Thomas and Becton prior to the Combine. In any case, the Browns may find some help for a weak offensive line in the NFL Draft.

With an improved offensive line, it is not out of the question for the Browns to exceed 3,000 yards on the ground and challenge Baltimore as the NFL’s premier running team.