6. CLEVELAND BROWNS
The No. 1 priority this offseason in Cleveland was shoring up the offensive tackle position, and no team invested more there than the Browns. They signed
Jack Conklin to a three-year, $42 million deal to play right tackle and used the No. 10 overall pick on
Jedrick Wills Jr. to play left tackle. Conklin has the No. 11 run-blocking grade among tackles since entering the league in 2016, and he’s an above-average pass protector — but not the kind of leave-on-an-island tackle who usually garners the biggest contract. Still, Conklin is a clear upgrade at right tackle, and the most immediate gains should be seen in the run game. Wills played on the right side at Alabama and steps in as the left tackle of the future. He’s an explosive run blocker who has developed nicely in pass protection, where he allowed only seven pressures over his last nine games at Alabama in 2019.
At left guard,
Joel Bitonio has the No. 13 grade in the league since 2016, including the No. 3 pass-blocking grade at 90.9. Center
J.C. Tretter’s 77.3 overall grade ranks 11th among centers over the past four years, and his 89.4 pass-blocking grade ranks second during that time. That leaves right guard as the Browns' biggest question mark.
Wyatt Teller has been a solid pass protector at that spot, but his run blocking has been sub-par. He heads into a pivotal Year 3 where many offensive linemen take steps forward in development.
Chris Hubbard, last year’s starting right tackle, is now a swing tackle. He's a nice option to have as a depth piece with three good years of play under his belt. The Browns finished just
23rd in PFF’s 2019 offensive line rankings, but they have the pieces to make the biggest move in the NFL — especially if Wills develops quickly as a rookie.
PFF unveils its 32-team NFL offensive line rankings for the 2020 NFL season.
www.pff.com