3 under the radar Cleveland Browns to watch versus Baltimore in Week 14
By Nick Pedone
No. 3: Offensive Tackle Jedrick Wills
If the Browns want to beat Baltimore, the offensive line needs to be the most impressive unit on the football field.
Thus far, rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills has been an upgrade at the position, filling a big void left behind ever since Joe Thomas retired before the 2018 season. However, Wills is capable of rookie mistakes.
The No. 10 overall draft pick is the most penalized player in the NFL this season. Wills, who has been penalized nine times for 60 yards, needs to have a clean game against Baltimore’s healthy pass rush. A holding penalty against Wills helped the Tennessee Titans mount a comeback on Sunday.
Despite struggling with penalties, Wills has done a tremendous job keeping Mayfield upright, the expectation when Andrew Berry drafted him. Of rookie offensive tackles, Wills is among the top, with just a 3.9 percent pressure rating, according to a tweet from Pro Football Focus.
Keeping Mayfield’s jersey clean will be another tall task for the rookie this week. The Ravens defensive unit is gaining full health, with edge rushers Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe being activated off the COVID-19 list.
If Wills, and the rest of the offensive line, give enough time for Mayfield to continue to improve, and Chubb and Hunt cook on their legs, the Browns offense will be much-improved from the first time these two teams played.