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Breaking down the 2020 Cleveland Browns: Offensive Line

By Greg Newland

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Chris Hubbard #74, Greg Robinson #78, and Joel Bitonio #75 of the Cleveland Browns lead teammates onto the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Chris Hubbard #74, Greg Robinson #78, and Joel Bitonio #75 of the Cleveland Browns lead teammates onto the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 08: Center JC Tretter #64 of the Cleveland Browns talks to his teammates prior to the snap during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 27-19. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 08: Center JC Tretter #64 of the Cleveland Browns talks to his teammates prior to the snap during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 27-19. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Interior Line

The Browns interior line will continue to be strong with only one position to have competition for the starter in 2020. The strong center/guard play last season was a big part of Nick Chubb‘s running success and should only be better next season with upgrades at both tackle positions.

J.C. Tretter

Former Green Bay Packer J.C. Tretter came to the Browns in 2017 to play center and has been nothing short of tremendous. Unfortunately, Tretter was a part of the disastrous 0-16 perfect season but has been the biggest leader on the offensive line.

Tretter has started 16 games in three straight seasons, which is a tremendous feat with so many snaps in the trenches. At age 29, Tretter is still in his prime and will be a major part of the Browns success in 2020.

Joel Bitonio

Perhaps one of the Browns greatest draft picks in the last decade is former second-round pick Joel Bitonio. Sometimes it is easy to overlook the importance of guard play, but Bitonio is a top left guard in the NFL making the pro-bowl in both 2018 and 2019.

Bitonio was an all-pro snub last season because of the lack of success the team had. Bitonio suffered a foot injury 2016 that cost him 11 games but has since 2017 has started every game alongside Tretter. There may be no better interior duo in the NFL than Bitonio and Tretter in 2020.

Drew Forbes

At this moment look for second-year man Drew Forbes to win the contested battle for the right guard position in 2020. It would not be surprising if the season started with a rotation between Forbes and 2019 starter Wyatt Teller before switching to Forbes fully by the end of the season.

Forbes is a college tackle who transitioned inside and showed great promise last offseason before an injury in the fourth preseason game. Forbes had not been named the starter, but general manager John Dorsey was a big advocate. With friendly competition and a year of development, look for Forbes to stand out and have a big year surrounded by a ton of talent on the Browns offensive line.

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