Cleveland Browns would be taking a risk passing on offensive tackle at No. 10

The Cleveland Browns biggest need this offseason was at offensive tackle, and if they decide to pass on one at No. 10, they would be taking a big risk.

Even before the end of last season, the Cleveland Browns have been connected to selecting an offensive tackle with their first round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. With the draft just over a week away, the general consensus is the Browns will be using the No. 10 pick on an offensive tackle.

Where the Browns currently sit in the first round, they are right in the middle of the range of the top-four offensive tackles in the draft: Tristan Wirfs, Jedrick Wills, Andrew Thomas and Mekhi Becton. Unless there is a major run on tackles in the first nine picks, the Browns should be able to land one of these four tackles.

However, there has been some noise about the idea of the Browns passing on a tackle at No. 10 as the draft draws closer. If the Browns decide to target another position at No. 10, they would be taking a risk passing on an offensive tackle, as Cleveland still needs to find a starter at left tackle.

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Following the top four offensive tackles, there is a lot of uncertainty in the offensive tackle class. The second-tier of offensive tackles have some questions and are not as polished at the top-tier tackles. Unlike the top-tier tackles, the second-tier players will need to show some development quickly in order to be plug-and-play starters.

The second-tier tackles are widely viewed as Josh Jones, Austin Jackson, and Ezra Cleveland. All three have questions about their technique and their strength, which has the trio expected to be either late first round picks or second round picks.

Over the past week, the Browns have been connected to Ezra Cleveland frequently. In his Football Morning in America column on Monday, Peter King heard from a NFL source that the Browns love the Boise State tackle.

"I mean, how does Berry not take one of the four hot-prospect tackles right here? “I agree,” one Browns-watcher on another team said Saturday. “But they love that Boise tackle, and maybe they think they can get him in the second round.” What an apt pick: With the 41st overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Browns select Ezra Cleveland, tackle, Boise State. – Peter King"

If the Browns decided to pass on an offensive tackle with the No. 10 pick and then waited until their second round pick to make a move, they would be taking a major risk waiting that long. With an offensive tackle class that is not deep, there would likely be a run on tackles before Cleveland’s next pick at No. 41, leaving the Browns scraping the bottom of the barrel to address their biggest need on the roster.

If the Browns wait too long, offensive tackle could once again become a concern during the regular season. The issues with the offensive line was arguably the biggest reason the Browns offensive continued to falter last season.

Although they improved at right tackle with Jack Conklin, the Browns should be making it a priority to protect Baker Mayfield‘s blindside, and the best option to do so this offseason and for the foreseeable future, is through the NFL Draft.

The Browns could trade back a few picks from No. 10 in the draft if they feel they can still land one of the top offensive tackles. However, moving back too far and waiting until the second round to select a tackle would be a risk the Browns shouldn’t take.