Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

3 Cleveland Browns players who could emerge as alphas in 2021

By Sam Penix

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample (89) is wrapped up by Cleveland Browns defensive back Ronnie Harrison (33) on a catch in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. The Bengals led 17-10 at halftime.Cleveland Browns At Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample (89) is wrapped up by Cleveland Browns defensive back Ronnie Harrison (33) on a catch in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. The Bengals led 17-10 at halftime.Cleveland Browns At Cincinnati Bengals /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Cleveland Browns
Oct 11, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills (71) is introduced before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

2. LT Jedrick Wills Jr.

When the Browns took Jedrick Wills 10th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, it was a foregone conclusion that he would be the opening day starter at left tackle, the team’s true successor to future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas. Having played right tackle in college, growing pains were to be expected, especially in pass protection. Wills’ tenacity and aggressiveness in run blocking were expected to translate immediately, and he’d at least be better than what Greg Robinson gave the team in 2019.

Wills’ transition went better than many thought it would. He was one of the league’s better pass protectors, which was a pleasant surprise. The starting offensive line didn’t play too many games together, but when they did, they were the best group in the NFL. Wills had a lot of help, but he exceeded expectations himself.

Two areas where Wills needs to improve are his run blocking and his internal clock. It certainly seemed like the coaches prioritized getting his technique up to speed on the left side as a pass blocker, which is understandable. Wills’ run blocking in college was dominant, but he was far less effective as a rookie. That should change as he grows more comfortable both as a left tackle and within Cleveland’s scheme, and he did show a degree of improvement as the season went on.

It also appeared that Wills often thought too much instead of just playing. There were plenty of times where he seemed to give up on the play earlier than he should have, leading to Baker Mayfield getting hit, or a running lane closing up just as the back was about to hit it. Wills’ effort was excellent in college, so that’s not a concern. It’s likely that he was just focusing too much on remembering his timeline for each play rather than simply reacting to what was happening on the field.

If Wills can get better at these two things, he can be one of the NFL’s premier tackles, which is probably not what even the front office envisioned him becoming when they took him, at least not nearly this quickly.

Home/Browns Roster