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Cleveland Browns have not developed an O-Lineman since Joel Bitonio

By Elliot Kennel

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 15: Offensive guard Joel Bitonio #75 of the Cleveland Browns on the bench during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Browns 38-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 15: Offensive guard Joel Bitonio #75 of the Cleveland Browns on the bench during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Browns 38-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 11: Tackle Mitchell Schwartz #72 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after a fourth quarter touchdown during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Many young linemen left Browns to play better elsewhere

The pattern of young offensive linemen playing better for other teams has repeated itself many times. More precisely, the Browns turned away some talented players.

2017 draft pick Roderick Johnson suffered an ACL injury and was subsequently cut. He never had a chance with the Browns but then he played well for the Houston Texans last year, though he was first string mainly because first-round pick Tytus Howard was injured. He’s listed as a backup on the current depth chart, but considered to be very capable.

2018 draft choice Austin Corbett was sent packing to the Los Angeles (formerly St. Louis, formerly Los Angeles, formerly Cleveland) Rams. He started seven straight games for the Rams and did not miss a snap. This after generating nothing but disappointment among the Browns coaching staff for two seasons.

At the same time, between head coach Hue Jackson, offensive coordinator Todd Haley and offensive line coach Bob Wiley they thought they saw something in Desmond Harrison, a fellow who was too small to play tackle and who had been suspended at Texas for alleged marijuana and other offenses. He was out of football for two years before resuming his education at West Georgia.

He also allegedly failed drug tests at the combine and was underweight for an NFL lineman. No matter, the Browns liked his athleticism and started him Day one over Corbett. However by their ninth game,  it was clear that he was being thoroughly outclassed in the NFL and the Browns benched him, and the following summer cut him.

He was signed by Arizona. However, after the Greensboro (NC) Police Department issued a felony arrest warrant for him, according to Brent Sobeleski of Bleacher Report, all the charm wore off from this feel-good story.

Drew Forbes was drafted in 2019, but was injured. John Dorsey used a new rule to reclaim him from the Injured Reserve.  That got him nine snaps on special teams but zero snaps on offense.

Going back to 2016,  the Browns drafted Shon Coleman and Spencer Drango. Coleman was on IR with San Francisco but is still on their roster. Drango has been on the Chargers reserve squad and regular roster but neither Drango nor Coleman have played in the regular season since 2017.

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