Taking a look at Cleveland’s offensive line room before OTA’s begin
The Cleveland Browns officially began their offseason practice schedule with their rookie minicamp this past weekend.
Next on the agenda is OTA’s (Organized team activities) which begin on May 21st. Before that time comes, it’s important to take a look at each of Cleveland’s position groups.
Today we’re going to dive into the Browns’ offensive line room as it currently stands, which consists of 16 players.
Offensive Tackle (7)
Jedrick Wills Jr.
2023 Stats: 8 starts
Wills Jr. needs to have an exceptional year in 2024 in order to be considered for an extension following the season. He’s been very underwhelming since his rookie season, and there’s a chance that Dawand Jones will make a move to left tackle at some point this year.
PFF Grade: 54.0
Jack Conklin
2023 Stats: 1 start
Conklin is arguably one of the top right tackles in the league when healthy. The main problem as of late is that he can’t seem to get over the injury bug. It’s going to be interesting to see the team’s plans at right tackle during training camp. Does Dawand Jones begin as the starting RT with Conklin settling in as a high-priced “swing” tackle?
PFF Grade: 74.5
Dawand Jones
2023 Stats: 9 starts
Jones was very good when forced into duty as a rookie. His overall length and size makes it extremely tough for pass rushers to deal with on a play-by-play basis. Hopefully, he can take another step in 2024 towards being a future long-term starting offensive tackle for Cleveland.
PFF Grade: 64.7
James Hudson III
2023 Stats: 7 starts
Hudson III has shown flashes of adequate play at times, but overall he hasn’t been consistent enough to make it at the NFL level. 2024 will probably be Hudson’s last year in Cleveland if he makes it through training camp without being cut. The team can open up over $1 Million in cap space by releasing him post June-1st.
PFF Grade: 46.8
Hakeem Adeniji
2023 Stats: 0 starts
Adeniji is most likely a “camp body” on the offensive line for the Browns right now. He hasn’t done much at the NFL level, but has shown versatility along the offensive line. He’s played both guard and tackle throughout his career so far.
PFF Grade: N/A
Roy Mbaeteka
2023 Stats: 0 starts
Mbaeteka has been designated as the team’s “International Player” for the 2024 offseason and doesn’t currently count towards their 90-man roster limit. However, if he does make it through to the regular season, he would count towards the official 53-man active roster.
PFF Grade: N/A
Lorenzo Thompson
2023 Stats: 11 starts – All-Conference at Rhode Island
Thompson was one of the better offensive tackles at the FCS level over the past two seasons and is known for his agility and footwork. Though he was a great “get” for Cleveland as a UDFA, he’ll most likely be kept on the practice squad in 2024.
PFF Grade: N/A
Offensive Guard (6)
Joel Bitonio
2023 Stats: 15 starts
Bitonio needs no introduction, as he’s consistently one of the better guards in the league and one of the most beloved players on the team. He did have a back injury “scare” at the end of the 2023 season, but he seems to be fine and participating as usual.
PFF grade: 68.0
Wyatt Teller
2023 Stats: 16 starts
Similar to Bitionio, Teller has been excellent for Cleveland at guard and a mainstay on the offensive line for a while now. He was the team’s best offensive lineman in 2023 and looks to have another great season in 2024.
PFF Grade: 72.9
Zak Zinter
2023 Stats: 12 starts – All-American at Michigan
Zinter was an absolute monster at Michigan and one of the best guards in college football before breaking his leg against Ohio State in 2023. He’s been fully cleared and is ready to go for all team activities going forward.
PFF Grade: N/A
Michael Dunn
2023 Stats: 2 starts
Dunn has been the definition of dependable for Cleveland since the 2020 season. He’s made spot starts at both OT and OG throughout the past four years, and he continues to be a quality depth piece for the Browns whenever they need him. Expect more of the same in 2024.
PFF Grade: 60.2
Germain Ifedi
2023 Stats: 0 starts – With the Detroit Lions through the end of 2023 training camp
Ifedi spent last season “on the couch” after being released from Detroit in the 2023 offseason. He’s been fairly serviceable throughout his NFL career, and is another guy that can play both guard and tackle. There’s a chance that the former 1st-round pick beats out James Hudson for a depth offensive tackle spot going into the 2024 season.
PFF Grade: N/A
Javion Cohen
2023 Stats: 12 starts – All-Conference HM at Miami
Cohen was a “hot” commodity entering the 2023 season at Miami, but played at a heavier weight than usual which caused him to lose some speed and agility. He ultimately went undrafted and Cleveland jumped on him immediately following the 2024 NFL Draft. The Browns will most likely attempt to keep him on the practice squad in 2024, unless he beats out Michael Dunn for a backup offensive guard spot on the active roster.
PFF Grade: N/A
Offensive Center (3)
Ethan Pocic
2023 Stats: 15 starts
Pocic was also one of the team’s better offensive linemen in 2023 and continues to do everything right as the Browns’ starting center. Cleveland was ecstatic when they were able to re-sign him last offseason and expect him to continue being a stalwart on the interior in 2024.
PFF Grade: 71.4
Luke Wypler
2023 Stats: 1 start
Wypler has looked solid whenever he made it onto the field as a rookie in 2023, and shows great athleticism at the center position. He looks to be the top backup at center going forward as long as he can fend off Brian Allen throughout the summer.
PFF Grade: 64.6
Brian Allen
2023 Stats: 0 starts
Allen was a full-time starter for the Los Angeles Rams when healthy between 2018-2023. Much like Jack Conklin, he’s been a very good player over the years but just can’t seem to stay on the field.
PFF Grade: 69.2
Projected Depth Chart (10)
LT: Jedrick Wills Jr. – Dawand Jones
LG: Joel Bitonio – Michael Dunn
C: Ethan Pocic – Luke Wypler
RG: Wyatt Teller – Zak Zinter
RT: Jack Conklin – Germain Ifedi/James Hudson III
What are your thoughts on Cleveland’s offensive line room heading into offseason activities? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below.
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