The Ohio State football team is putting out some good talent in this year’s NFL Draft. Could the Cleveland Browns be in play for one of them?
The Cleveland Browns typically do not draft Ohio State football players. Teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints have done just fine in doing so but for some reason or another it has been taboo within the walls of Berea.
That can change in the 2020 NFL draft, however. With Ohio State expected to see close to double-digit players drafted, the Cleveland Browns have been linked to a few of them. Most notably with the massive need at linebacker, Ohio State’s Malik Harrison has been rumored for quite some time.
But it is another former Buckeye that could be more in play for the Cleveland Browns in the middle rounds of this draft. Offensive guard prospect Jonah Jackson, who was a grad-transfer from Rutgers, seems to fill the bill with the analytical approach of this front office.
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With good size and agility for an offensive lineman, Jonah Jackson ranks No. 2 in Pro Football Focus’s interior offensive line rankings.
Here is what Micheal Renner of PFF (subscription required) had to say about the former Rutgers Scarlet Knight and Ohio State Buckeye:
"“We are always going to love some pass protectors, and Jackson is as advanced in pass pro as any interior lineman in this class. You may know him better as the Rutgers player who actually graded well back in 2018. For his career, he’s allowed only one lone sack or hit on 1,020 pass-blocking snaps, which speaks to arguably his greatest trait — not losing quickly. Even when he does allow pressure, Jackson is almost always still holding on for dear life and riding guys past the pocket. His hand usage is exceptional, and he plays with a balance unmatched in the draft class.” Renner, Pro Football Focus"
The Cleveland Browns do have a big hole at the right guard position for next season. Wyatt Teller, Drew Forbes, and Chris Hubbard all are expected to battle for that opening during training camp.
But that group does not exactly inspire confidence as Teller and Hubbard seemed to struggle last season and the rookie Forbes could not sniff the field.
Adding another young player in the middle rounds of the draft could be what GM Andrew Berry has up his sleeve as we enter next week’s NFL Draft. And it’s Jonah Jackson who could see his name be called by the team just a couple of hours north of Columbus.