
2. Offensive Line
A large part of the offensive struggles in 2019 was due to poor offensive line play. The line was unable to consistently protect Mayfield in the pocket and it forced him to flush and roll out on far too many occasions. Plays were not given enough time to develop and Mayfield was forced to make throws on the run, which is never a recipe for great success.
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Our offensive tackle play may have been one of the worst in the entire NFL. Greg Robinson is no longer with the Browns and right tackle Chris Hubbard has restructured his deal for less money to be a backup, swing lineman.
Cleveland signed one of the best right tackles in the league this offseason, Jack Conklin. He will immediately fix our huge problem at right tackle. He can protect Mayfield in the passing game and give him time to look downfield. The Browns will also presumably take a left tackle with their number 10 pick in the draft. This will hopefully be the solution to our desperate need at LT that we have had since the departure of future HOF, Joe Thomas.
With the additions of Conklin and an assumed left tackle in the draft, our line could go from a huge weakness to perhaps a good strength. This will give Mayfield comfort in the pocket, time to set his feet, and make a good throw. A good line allows the coaches to call longer developing plays down the field which is a huge benefit to the offense and receivers like OBJ and Jarvis Landry.
A huge improvement this offseason will result in a better offense and more time for OBJ to get open down the field. He will be a large beneficiary of the new offensive line unit.