5 Browns O-Linemen who stepped up under Bill Callahan

4. Ethan Pocic has Quietly Been Outstanding

Ethan Pocic hasn’t made a lot of noise, but he has done his job very well. The only time you hear about the starting center is if there is a bad snap or a penalty, and we have not heard very much about Pocic. Pro Football Focus has ranked him within the top five among starting centers this season. That’s not half bad for a player who was supposed to be backing up Nick Harris this season.

However, Harris went out for the year with a knee injury suffered in the very first exhibition game. For that matter, there were cries of anguish that the Browns needed to bring back popular starter and NFL Players Association President J.C. Tretter for one more season.

But the Browns installed Pocic as the starter and never looked back. Somehow, some way, he’s having the best season of his career.

Pocic was a sometimes starting center for the Seattle Seahawks, with 40 career starts in four seasons. They were ambivalent about him in the offseason, so the Browns were able to sign him for $1.2 million, including a $152,000 signing bonus, and $1 million dollars guaranteed.

On a losing team, it’s easy to overlook the effectiveness of the quarterback sneak, which has been a bright spot of the Browns’ offense this season. The quarterback keeper is referred to as the quarterback sneak, but after a few successes, there is nothing sneaky about it.

Jacoby Brissett does his best imitation of Kevin Mack, and the entire NFL knows about it now. The reason why it works is that Pocic, Joel Bitonio, and Wyatt Teller get just enough surge that Brisset is able to power his way forward for a yard when he needs it. Pocic in particular has proven himself to be very valuable in short-yardage situations. We expected it from Bitonio and Teller. Pocic was a major surprise.

What’s the difference? Well, he spent five years in Seattle and didn’t have great success. Now, in his first year with the Browns, he is acting like he wants to go to the Pro Bowl. Go figure, maybe Bill Callahan is part of the success formula.

Pocic is not signed for 2023 yet. If he leaves as a free agent, it’s possible that he will generate a compensatory draft pick based on his achievements. Or if they still like Nick Harris — who is under contract for 2023 — and some team will offer a draft pick now for Pocic, perhaps the Browns might entertain a deal. In that case, Froholdt or Michael Dunn might become the new starting center.

Practice squad player Brock Hoffman probably needs to be protected with a real roster spot immediately based on his work in the preseason.