Cleveland Browns biggest weakness is now a strength
By Josh Brown
Joel Bitonio
There isn’t much to say when it comes to the Browns behemoth at left guard. Joel Bitonio has been a model of consistency since day one with the Browns. Since being drafted in 2014, he has only once (2015) finished outside PFF’s top 15 guard ranking.
He has also played 100 percent of the snaps in four of his six seasons in the NFL, only missing time in 2015 and 2016 with a foot injury. 2020 is no different as he is currently the ninth-best guard in the NFL out of 75 graded by PFF and once again has been on the field for every offensive snap.
As usual, Bitonio has been one of the top pass-blocking guards in the NFL, ranking 10th overall. Through the first four games, he has given up just one sack and has not been penalized. This has been Bitonio’s strength throughout his six-year NFL career and has been vital since 2018 with a shorter quarterback leading the way in Baker Mayfield.
Not only has Bitonio been his usual self in the passing game, but he has put up the third-highest run grade of his career and placing him in a tie for the fourteenth best run blocker in the NFL. His next best run-blocking grade was as a rookie in 2014.
Can you guess the reason? Let me tell you. The offense ran back in 2014 was the Kyle Shanahan zone scheme that is very similar to what Stefanski is doing now. Clearly, Bitonio fits this system’s mold and should continue to play at an extremely high level the remainder of 2020.