Cleveland Browns: 3 under-the-radar players to watch in Week 5

3. J.C. Tretter, Center

The Browns offensive line has been one of, if not the league’s best to this point. They’ve allowed just 22 pressures per Pro Football Focus, and own (by far) the NFL’s top run-blocking grade. Case in point: Nick Chubb, the league’s best pure runner, was hurt at the end of the first quarter against Dallas. Kareem Hunt was on a pitch count due to a groin injury. And Cleveland was still able to put up an incredible 307 rushing yards with D’Ernest Johnson and Dontrell Hilliard in the backfield.

Rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills has exceeded all expectations in his hyperspace transition from right tackle. Right tackle Jack Conklin is having the best season of his career. Joel Bitonio is his usual stellar self. Wyatt Teller has been the biggest surprise in football, having put together a simply dominant performance over the first quarter of the season.

With those four players playing at a high level, it’s easy to forget about J.C. Tretter, the man in the middle. He’s long been one of the league’s most underappreciated players, and deserves at the very least a Pro Bowl nod.

He’ll have his work cut out for him this week, as he and the guards will match up with DeForest Buckner, one of the NFL’s most disruptive interior defenders. He’s generated 15 pressures over the past three games and plays the run very well. Mayfield struggles with interior pressure, so Tretter slowing down Buckner is going to be key to a Browns victory.