Four ways the selection of Alabama tackle Jedrick Wills impacts the Cleveland Browns heading into the 2020 season.
The Cleveland Browns think they found their puzzle piece at left tackle, by picking Alabama tackle Jedrick Wills with the 10th pick.
Here’s four ways Wills will impact the Browns moving forward in 2020.
1. Conklin move valuable than ever
Jack Conklin is being billed as a right tackle, but if question marks start surrounding the switch of Jedrick Wills from right tackle to left, the Browns may have to consider moving their prized free agent to Baker Mayfield‘s blind side.
Wills was an elite college talent, protecting the blind side of Tua Tagovaoila– a left handed quarterback–at Alabama.
Wills allowed just four pressures in his final six games at Alabama, while allowing just one pressure in his career against Power-5 opponents.
Now, I won’t pretend to be a left tackle expert. That said, if switching from the right to left side–and doing it well–was easy, it’d be done more often. Usually, right tackle is where players go when they can’t make it at left tackle. That said, there was the aforementioned point about Tua being left-handed, so we’ll just have to see what happens.
There’s no indication that Conklin is going to play at left, but anything and everything has to be on the table as the Browns are under pressure to win with Mayfield on his rookie contract.
2. Thomas finally replaced
For 10 years the Browns had an all-Pro talent at left tackle in Joe Thomas, but when the Wisconsin legend decided to hang it up after the 2017 campaign, the Browns repeatedly failed to find the next man up.
Before the 2018 campaign, the Browns gave undrafted rookie free agent Desmond Harrison the starting gig. After it was clear that Harrison was too raw to be starting, the team switched to Greg Robinson.
The former No. 2 pick kept the job heading into 2019, but it was clear the position was still a problem as Robinson was routinely harassed and flagged for devastating holding penalties that killed multiple drives.
Wills gets the shot, and while it’s not an exciting pick, he should be able to hold down a position on the line considering his elite college production.
3. Look out for Chubb
If Wills is what he’s being advertised to be, then Nick Chubb will get the rushing title that evaded him in 2019. While at Alabama, Wills was known as a mauler on the on the offensive line, in addition to his stellar pass blocking skills.
Chubb lost the rushing title in the final game of the season, when Freddie Kitchens got pass happy in Cincinnati, neglecting his All-Pro caliber talent.
Even though he finished second, Chubb was right there with Derrick Henry, running behind what many viewed as an inferior line.
4. If Wills busts at LT, all isn’t lost
Wills will get ample opportunity to be the Browns starting left tackle, but if he can’t cut the mustard, he’ll at least be able to help at a different position on the line.
If Wills can’t play left tackle, he’ll be tried out at right tackle, and worse case scenario, he’ll kick inside to guard. It’s not ideal, but at least it’s not drafting a quarterback who flames out after six games.