Injuries on the offensive line, particularly to offensive tackles, were one of the main things impeding the Cleveland Browns’ offense. It’s not as easy as merely running it back when looking ahead to 2024. Dawand Jones had a great rookie season, but the Browns still need to focus on improving the offensive line if they want to be competitive in 2024 and beyond.
My prediction for the Browns offensive line’s trajectory is really straightforward. Jack Conklin returns to the starting lineup as right tackle, Dawand Jones switches to left tackle, and the Browns trade Jedrick Wills. On either side of the line, having excellent pass protection is important, but for the rushing game and the manner
Conklin and Wyatt Teller, the right guard and Conklin, together provide the Browns with the strongest run-blocking duo they have. Joel Bitonio, a left guard, is a skilled puller who may contribute to a numerical advantage. Jones is a terrible run blocker right now, but he is an incredible pass protector. Though it will take some effort, Jones can certainly pick up the left side of the ball. In part, Wyatt Teller and James Hudson III’s constant creation of running lanes on the right side allowed Jerome Ford to have his finest rushing performance of the season, which helped the Browns overcome the Ravens in Baltimore. Jones wasn’t as helpful to the Browns in that game as Hudson was.
Teller gives the Browns the strongest
If Jedrick Wills had sustained a season-ending knee injury in the first week of the season instead of Jack Conklin, would the Browns have just started James Hudson III at left tackle and benched Jones behind Conklin the entire time? They probably would have started Jones at left tackle. Well, maybe not right away, but that makes sense as the natural conclusion.
But suppose I’m mistaken. Conklin returns to right tackle, Wills is kept at left tackle for another season, and Jones is left to concentrate solely on being a right tackle behind him by the Browns.
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