Browns ink first round pick Jedrick Wills to fully guaranteed rookie deal

The Browns have signed their first rounder Jedrick Wills

As the scheduled time to hit training camp around the NFL is right around the corner at the end of the month, the Cleveland Browns have ensured most of their rookies will be there. Adding to the list of 2020 NFL Draft picks to sign, the Browns and first round pick Jedrick Wills have put pen to paper on his rookie deal.

More than that, however, Wills has not only agreed to his deal, but has negotiated it all in guaranteed money. His four year deal is worth a total of $19 million with the Browns, as he receives a signing bonus of about $11 million.

As with every first round pick, Wills’ deal comes with a fifth year option as well, should it be picked up after the third year of his career. For offensive linemen, the rate of a fifth-year option looks to currently be priced around $13 million for that one season.

Should Wills see the end of his rookie deal, all five years including the option, then the totality of the contract will be worth right around $33 million through the year 2024. Not a bad haul for the tenth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft as he begins his professional career.

How Wills fits with Browns day-one

According to Pro Football Network’s Kent Lee Platte, the creator of Relative Athletic Score (RAS), Wills should be quite a nice fit in Stefanski’s wide-zone scheme given his athleticism. Wills shows good speed and athleticism from his tackle post, which is a necessity as he will be asked to pull towards the boundary with frequency.

Wills will be the day-one starter across from Conklin, with little to no doubt about that. A revamped offensive line, Wills and Conklin the major pieces, will have the Browns’ offense presumably soaring to new heights in 2020.

While his lateral movement is a bit of an unknown, as he tested relatively poorly in the short shuttle and did not attempt the three-cone drill at the combine, he has plenty of time to work through any of those technical issues. This is a massive reason why it is a news-worthy deal that Wills got his deal done now.

Why it matters deal between Browns, Jedrick Wills got done now

Getting this rookie deal done now with Jedrick Wills now is a big deal for the Browns. Last year, their offensive line was abysmal, particularly at the tackle position. Now, they have brought in veteran Jack Conklin to man the right tackle spot, then Wills to play left tackle; this is quite the upgrade over Greg Robinson and Chris Hubbard.

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However, Wills will face challenges in his rookie season in Cleveland.

Particularly, Wills played right tackle at the University of Alabama, so he will have to re-learn all of his mechanics in reverse this summer. Not only that, but he has a new scheme, playbook, and team to acclimate to.

Having Wills in training camp on day-one, scheduled for July 28th, is a big win for the Browns as they open a new chapter under new head coach Kevin Stefanski. Getting him in under veteran offensive line coach Bill Callahan will allow for Wills to learn at an accelerated rate.

Across from Conklin, Wills will be the day-one starter for the Browns at the left tackle spot, and now he will have a full camp, worry-free of a holdout, to absorb all of his coaching like a sponge. Baker Mayfield rejoices as his blindside is set and ready to go in Cleveland.