Breaking down the 2020 Cleveland Browns: Offensive Line
By Greg Newland
Supporting Cast
The great news for Browns fans, not only did the starting five offensive linemen get better, the supporting cast who will likely see the field with inevitable injuries has also improved. At times last season, the Browns only carried seven active offensive linemen because of suspensions and injuries. That will not be the case in 2020 with upgraded starters and back-ups to help protect Mayfield.
Chris Hubbard and Kendall Lamm
After being the Pittsburgh Steelers swingman in 2015 and 2016, the Browns were ecstatic to sign Chris Hubbard as the starting right tackle in 2018. While Hubbard didn’t live up to expectations, he was a team player and restructured his contract this offseason and will become the swingman for the Browns in 2020. There’s a chance Callahan will want Hubbard to compete for the starting role of the right guard, but it’s still believed Forbes will fend him off for that position.
Kendall Lamm will be the next backup at the tackle position. Lamm came to Cleveland last offseason after four years with the Houston Texans where he started 13 games at tackle in 2018. After getting a shot in Cleveland because of ejections, Lamm was injured and was never able to recover. Lamm may have more upside than he showed in 2019, but don’t look for him to see a ton of action in 2020.
Wyatt Teller
The Cleveland Browns traded for Wyatt Teller before last season, and he ultimately ended up winning the starting job halfway through the season. Teller, who will be entering his third year in the NFL does a fine job run blocking but struggled with bull rushers and constantly allowed the pocket to collapse.
Teller can be a starter in the NFL but will fare as an interior backup for the Browns next season. He could be an interesting trade piece if rookie Nick Harris or Drake Dorbeck would happen to stand out in camp.
Nick Harris and Drake Dorbeck
In the fifth round of the 2020 draft, the Browns took center Nick Harris from the University of Washington. Harris plays with a chip but could be limited by his size in the NFL. Harris likely won’t be ready to be a day one starter but could eventually be developed into a starter.
The Browns also signed an undrafted free agent tackle in Drake Dorbeck. The Southern Miss standout has massive size at 6-foot-6 and 320-pounds but will have some adjusting to NFL game speed. Dorebeck may struggle to make the roster but could be a potential practice squad guy if the Browns see potential.
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There is no doubt that Mayfield and the offense struggled in 2019, but it certainly was a collective effort. The offensive line was bad, and the play-calling was even worse at times. With a refocused Mayfield and an improved culture in Cleveland, look for the new offensive line to have a huge impact on a stand out offense next season.