Cleveland Browns Mailbag: Trade possible at right guard?

Could the Cleveland Browns make a move at RG?

Earlier this week it was announced that Cleveland Browns guard, Drew Forbes, would opt out of the 2020 NFL season because of a medical reason.

Forbes and fellow lineman Drake Dorbeck both will sit out the season, as announced by the team.

While the medical condition for Forbes is unknown, his agent Brian Hamilton shared the following with Cleveland.com.

"“And he really had no choice. It’s nothing very serious, but you can’t take any chances with this virus. His life and his family are more important than football.”"

Because Forbes has an approved medical reason, he will still be making $350,000 compared to his $675,000 base salary. Forbes contract will roll to next year and he looks to get back to the Kevin Stefanski offense where his athleticism fits perfectly.

While it was believed all along that Wyatt Teller would ultimately win the starting job at right guard, Forbes would have been a great addition of depth for either guard position. The Browns go from having three caliber starting guards to two, with zero experience at back-up. Will this send Andrew Berry back to the free agency or trade market to shore up the position?

That’s the very question asked on our Cleveland Browns Mailbag as Ryan Frank asked about the team’s plans at right guard:

"“Are the Browns willing to trade for or sign a RG to fill the missing link in the O-line?”"

While there are still a few high-quality guards like Larry Warford and Ronald Leary available in free agency, don’t expect the Browns to get too aggressive. For starters, one below-average guard can be hidden easier than most positions if Teller would get injured.

Especially with talented guys like Jack Conklin and J.C. Tretter at tackle and center. Also, after signing Myles Garrett to a massive extension, don’t look for Berry to be shelling out any more money to a guard.

The likeliest scenario would be the wait and see approach. Can Chris Hubbard be a four-position swing player? He will undoubtedly be the backup tackle, but he may have the ability to be the backup guard as well. Also, there are high expectations for the rookie center, Nick Harris, from Washington.

He was a fifth-round pick by the Browns this year, but many believe he could be a starting-caliber player. If Bill Callahan sees potential quickly, the situation will be much less stressful.

Long story short, the loss of Forbes certainly hurts their depth on the offensive line but is not a reason to rush into free agency or overpay in a trade. For now, there appears to be enough of a contingency plan to move forward without any major changes.

The worst-case scenario would be an early injury on the interior offensive line, which would likely force the Browns to trade or sign a free agent.