Could the Browns shake up the NFL’s best offensive line?
Cleveland currently has the best offensive line in the league, and its interior is a massive contributor. Guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller graded out as some of the best guards in football, and center JC Tretter played well, too.
Past 2021, this group may not be the same. Teller is a pending free agent, and though he is arguably the best guard in football, there is no guarantee the Browns pay him. JC Tretter is getting older and the Browns may decide to get a younger player on a cheaper contract through the draft.
This class has talent when it comes to both guard and center prospects. The top names at guard consist of Texas A&M’s Kenyon Green, NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu, Boston College’s Zion Johnson, and LSU’s Ed Ingram. They all stand out as athletic tackles that could be a potential fit in the Browns’ wide zone scheme.
However, there are some interesting fits at the center position. The name that stands out the most is Tyler Linderbaum out of Iowa. Linderbaum is an impressively athletic center who already plays in a similar system to the Browns. However, there are other options, too. Boston College’s Alec Lindstrom and Notre Dame Jarrett Patterson also stand out as potential picks.
Overall, there is plenty of interior talent should the Browns choose to move on from a couple of players.
When it’s all said and done…
While these are the positions that immediately come to mind for the future, nothing is certain. No one knows what will happen or what direction the Browns decide to go with their team building.
The same can be said for these prospects. Maybe some of these players will not do as well as expected, and maybe some that are not mentioned here rise. Positions that seem secure could become of interest to the Browns by April.
However, as the season unfolds, keep these players in mind. These may be the future players that the Browns evaluate and select.