Tag: tytus howard

Browns Address The Offensive Line. No Brainer.

Doing something that so obviously needs to be done isn’t something that deserves credit. For example, if the garbage is piling up in our house and we take it out, we don’t expect our wife to be effusive in praise.

Ignoring it looks real bad.

It’s akin to having the Brooklyn Nets calling the Cavs with a proposition that the Cavaliers give them a second-round pick for Jarrett Allen to facilitate the James Harden (ironic) deal. Even the worst GM says yes to that.

That’s the way we look at the Cleveland Browns’ opening salvo in the early stages of the off-season. They closed the season with no starting offensive linemen under contract for 2026, and GM Andrew Berry’s first moves where to get some linemen who should compete for starting jobs come training camp.

First, he traded for G/T Tytus Howard from the Houston Texans and signed him to a three-year contract. Then as free agency started, the Browns inked G Zion Johnson, formerly of the Los Angeles Chargers and C Elgton Jenkins from Green Bay, who was released.

Jenkins was a starter last season until his broke his leg, while Johnson started in 16 of the 17 games last year for the Chargers.

So now the Browns have three experienced starters on the offensive line, and still have Luke Wypler, who started five games at center for Cleveland after Ethan Pocic was injured.

Right now, you can project Wypler at center, Johnson and Jenkins at guard, and Howard at RT, leaving left tackle still up in the air.

We don’t know the ins and outs of offensive line play in football, but we do like what we hear about Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling, who is a left tackle, and is 6’7″, 315 pounds and is reported to be very athletic, and with long arms. Left tackle is a skill position in the NFL, and we would rather take a chance on athleticism.

Based on recent history, the Browns still need depth in this area, and they still have Dawand Jones, who has shown potential on the field, but has battled injuries in each of his three seasons in the pros, and they also resigned Teven Jenkins in the mix. Still, in addition to drafting a LT, we would also be looking for more depth on the line in the draft.

Cleveland also replaced LB Devin Bush, who signed with the Bears by signing Quincy Williams from the Jets. Williams played for new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg when he was in New York and Jacksonville.

We aren’t upset about the Bush departure. He signed with the Browns after being a first round pick for the Steelers, and he had some injury issues there. He blossomed last year, but he’s really had one very good season out of seven in the pros, and to pay him based on that one year? He might have been a product of Jim Schwartz’ defense and playing next to Carson Schwesinger.

We understand the Browns don’t think this way, but they still need a QB to compete or back up Shedeur Sanders. Thinking that guy is Deshaun Watson, six years removed from being a good NFL quarterback is kind of insane.

Good for the Browns’ front office. They did the logical thing. They shouldn’t be criticized for addressing the offensive line, but really, they shouldn’t be praised either.

Browns’ Offense Needs A Total Overhaul

We think everyone would agree the Cleveland Browns have a terrible offense, and the statistics back that up. They were third from the bottom in total yards, ahead of only Tennessee and Las Vegas, 27th in rushing offense, and ahead of only the Jets in terms of passing yards.

How a team builds a great defense but has really, a pathetic offense is a question that should be directed at the front office, but of course in the times we live, they will not give you a straight answer.

Looking at the offensive side of the football, the only player who really should have a starting position locked up is TE Harold Fannin, who caught 72 passes a year ago for 731 yards and six touchdowns. If Joel Bitonio decides to come back for one more season, he can be locked in at left guard too.

That would still leave nine spots up for grabs, including quarterback. It appears GM Andrew Berry has his work cut out for him this off season.

The good news is the free agency period in the NFL starts this week and the Browns have nine picks in this year’s draft to fill all of the holes. Signing free agents is important because obviously you can’t start all rookies.

And yes, there are players who should have a leg on on starting positions. RB Quinshon Judkins was solid running behind perhaps the worst pair of tackles in the NFL. He gained 827 yards. but averaged only 3.6 yards per carry. Cleveland could use another runner to pair with Judkins, and we liked what we saw out of Raheim Sanders, a 230-pound back who was inactive (for some reason) for much of the 2025 season.

Berry did swing a trade last week, bringing in offensive lineman Tytus Howard from Houston. Howard is regarded as a very good pass blocker, but not as good in the running game playing right tackle for the Texans. Browns’ QBs were sacked the 7th most times in the league last year, so keeping the passer upright was definitely a priority.

So, if Bitonio comes back and Luke Wypler can hold down the center position, that’s three starting offensive linemen, and we would guess high picks will be used to fill the other two spots. Plus, you need depth, if there is anything we have learned from the Browns, it’s that injuries will happen.

We hear many people talk about Dawand Jones, and we think the tackle out of Ohio State has ability, but in three years, he can’t stay on the field. Todd Monken and the brass simply cannot rely on him. They have to plan that he will miss time, so perhaps being the sixth lineman would be a good spot.

So, the offensive line needs to be rebuilt, but don’t distract you from realizing the wide receiver position is also terrible. Don’t know the salary cap ramifications, but we’d move on from Jerry Jeudy. Isaiah Bond has big play potential. Cedric Tillman seems injury prone.

We’d like to see what Malachi Corley can do in the passing game, but that’s another spot to be addressed in both the draft and free agency, and maybe the trade market. There should be a lot of openings there.

Note, we haven’t even mentioned quarterback, but we’ve touched on that spot before. We’d get a veteran, like maybe Geno Smith and have him and Shedeur Sanders compete for the job. Maybe draft another QB on day three.

And we are intentional about not talking about anyone else.

It is doubtful a juggernaut can be built this spring, but the AFC North is in flux and as former Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin said last year, the Browns’ defense is probably the best unit in the division.

With the right moves, they can compete. Don’t let them tell you about kicking the can down the road again. It’s a loser’s lament.