Why OL Could Be In Play For Browns In Second Round And Some Prospects To Know

Entering a third straight year without a first round pick, the NFL Draft just doesn't have as much buzz to it for the Browns as it used to.

That doesn't mean they don't have some important needs to address though. While many fans hope a shiny new wide receiver is at the top of their big board when they're on the clock in the second round three weeks from now, there are a number of less glamorous positions general manager Andrew Berry needs to have on his radar. One of those is offensive line, believe it or not.

Despite the fact that Cleveland has boasted one of the best offensive lines in football in recent years, that could change in a hurry.

For starters, veteran guard Joel Bitonio is entering year 11 of his career in 2024. Fellow guard Wyatt Teller and center Ethan pocic seem plenty capable to anchor the group as Bitonio ages but the tackle spots remain murky. Veteran Jack Conklin is due back from another season-ending knee injury on the right side as Jedrick Wills hopes to finally find some consistency as the starting left tackle. Meanwhile, Dawand Jones lurks, looking for a starting role in his own right.

At 32 years old, Bitonio is the eldest statesman of the group but Conklin isn't too far behind, set to turn 30 this summer. There's no telling how much longer Bitonio plans on playing though and the futures of Conklin and Wills are both in after this upcoming season. All those questions leave Berry in a precarious situation when it comes to his o-line.

He could certainly hold off on addressing it this year and focus on more pressing needs that help maximize the championship window the franchise is currently in. Or he could start thinking about the future up front and draft a player that could develop into a future starter.

Complicating things is the fact that this offensive tackle class in particular is considered a pretty deep once, which could mean a number of top names go early on in the draft. The NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah had seven tackles and nine total o-lineman go in the first round of his latest mock draft. That could force Berry's hand to use an earlier pick on an offensive lineman rather than waiting until day three and hoping to hit on a diamond in the rough – similar to what he did last year with Jones in the fourth round.

There are a lot of directions Cleveland could go when its first on the clock with the 54th overall pick. Based on the known players who have made pre-draft visits to Berea offensive line appears to eb

That brings us to the next question: who are some lineman the Browns could realistically draft? Here's a short list of players they could consider.

OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU

There's no guarantee Suamataia will be there at 54, but if he somehow falls into the range where Cleveland has a shot at him, he represents a great prospect to draft and develop for a couple years. Despite his 6-foot-5, 326-pound frame, Suamataia shows some unique athleticism in his game. For what it's worth, he posted a picture from the Browns facility indicating he's been in for one of the team's 30 visits.

OT Kiran Amegadjie, Yale

Another guy who has been in for a visit with the Browns already and another guy who is slated to go on day two of the draft. Amegadije is more likely a third rounder though. One of his best traits is his mammoth arm length of 36 3/4 inches that help play with some serious physicality up front. Those measurements fall in line with Jones 36 ⅜ inch arms a year ago.

OG Javion Cohen, Miami

Cohen has also visited the Browns during the pre-draft process and also falls in line as a likely day two option for Cleveland. He's a really perceptive player and great as a puller in gap blocking systems.

OT Brandon Coleman, TCU

Berry has a tendency to gravitate toward lineman who are upperclassman and Coleman fits that billing – like others listed above – as another day two tackle option. He's another prospect with some promising athleticism and respectable arm length.