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Who will be the final piece of the Cleveland Browns offensive line?

By Josh Brown

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 16: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns drops back to pass during the first half of their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 16: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns drops back to pass during the first half of their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Browns have three candidates for the starting right guard job.

CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 8: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns at throws the ball over the defense of Nick Vigil #59 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter FirstEnergy Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland defeated Cincinnati 27-19. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 8: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns at throws the ball over the defense of Nick Vigil #59 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter FirstEnergy Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland defeated Cincinnati 27-19. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Last season was a struggle, to say the least, for the Cleveland Browns offensive line. Tackles Greg Robinson and Chris Hubbard struggled mightily to hold up in the new offense schemed by Todd Monken. The addition of Kevin Zeitler as part of the Odell Beckham Jr. trade created a revolving door at right guard for most of the year.

While Joel Bitonio and J.C. Tretter were their usual excellent selves, the problems with the rest of the line seemed to shake the unshakeable confidence of quarterback Baker Mayfield. The one way to undermine a talented offense is to ignore the offensive line, and the Browns taught a masterclass on that in 2019.

With John Dorsey out and Andrew Berry in charge, the Browns began to rebuild the line this offseason. Berry would start the rebuild with a little-noticed signing in March, bringing backup center Evan Brown to Cleveland. Brown has the build and skill set to be the perfect backup to J.C. Tretter in the zone scheme.

Stefanski would make the next move in helping to rebuild the line with the hire of longtime offensive line guru Bill Callahan to lead the unit. He is one of the best offensive line coaches in the game and brings experience as an offensive coordinator and head coach to the table. While Callahan may have been enough to improve the line, Berry and company had a couple moves in mind.

Free Agency and the Draft

The next move made by the Browns front office may end up being the most important of the offseason. The signing of right tackle Jack Conklin not only solidified the right side of the line, but it also brought in a player who is an elite run blocker in the zone scheme. With an offense predicated on running the ball and using play-action in the passing attack, this is crucial.

Conklin took care of the right side in free agency, but the Browns still needed to find themselves a left tackle. That is where the NFL Draft came in.

With the No. 10 pick in the draft, the Browns took Jedrick Wills Jr. out of Alabama to take over at left tackle. Wills played right tackle at Alabama, but has the athleticism that should allow for a smooth transition to the left side. The Browns added a top-10 pick and a Pro Bowler at the tackles and still have Tretter and Bitonio in place. The only spot on the offensive line to be determine is who will fill the right guard position to finish off the overhaul of the front five.

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