Cleveland Browns need to improve their guard depth more than ever

The Cleveland Browns are down three guards after opt-outs, they need to find some real depth.

The Cleveland Browns lost three offensive guards due to the opt-out rule. Guard’s Malcolm Pridgeon, Drew Forbes, and Colby Gossett have all opted out of the 2020 NFL season. They’re three of the five total opt-outs, who also include offensive tackle Drake Dorbeck and defensive tackle Andrew Billings.

Losing Billings also, hurt the Browns depth on the defensive line.

While only Forbes was in contention to start for the guards, it’s impossible to know what Pridgeon and Gossett could’ve been for the squad. It’s impossible to know if they could’ve started or at the very least been a primary backup for one of the guard spots. The Browns will now have to cobble together a group of guards from relative scratch.

Joel Bitonio is obviously starting at the left side of the line since he’s one of the best linemen the team has had in years. Wyatt Teller will be the incumbent at the right side, but for right now isn’t a reliable starter after a poor 2019 showing.

The Browns can’t just go get the best available guard either, as former Saints guard Larry Warford opted out for the year as well. Trading for a player right now also isn’t the best idea, seeing as how guys should travel as little as possible for the season.

So the Browns are left with little in the way of options. The team has to go find someone, anyone, who can fill in and be a potential starter for this squad. It’s looking more and more like giving Alex Boone a call isn’t the worst idea. That’s how drastic things have gotten for the Browns.

The team has to do something to shore up the depth issues at right guard. Just telling everyone “you’re ok with who you have” isn’t going to convince a lot of people of anything. Other than you don’t have any other options than Teller. Which isn’t reassuring.