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Unless head coach Mike Pettine is really trying to deceive everyone, when he spoke to the media on the first day of minicamp Tuesday, he all-but-confirmed that the team will not be drafting an offensive tackle at No. 4 overall. The remark came when he was discussing whether OT Mitchell Schwartz would be making the move to guard (see the underlined part below):
On Browns OL Mitchell Schwartz playing tackle or guard: "Through this camp, he’ll be a tackle, and then we’ll assess where we are after this camp and then post-draft, if we feel the need. I always like to cross-train guys, always be in the business of having your best five [offensive linemen] out there. If a guard can learn to play center, if a left tackle can learn to play right, I think the more versatile you can be, especially with all your guys, but if you’re only going to dress seven or dress eight of those [offensive line] players that aren’t in there need to be able to play multiple spots. Mitchell’s a guy that we were happy with what he put on tape last year. We’ll potentially address it in the draft, but I don’t really see tackle right now as a position of need."
A few weeks ago in the writers' mock draft, I selected OT Greg Robinson for the Browns at No. 4 overall. Although I still feel like my pick was justified at the time, Pettine's remarks have led me to believe that Robinson nor OT Jake Matthews are an option with the first pick. (And if the Browns really do want an OT, then mission accomplished in terms of the smokescreen)
There was some other offensive linemen news. Pettine was asked about OL Chris Faulk, who was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent last season but never played or practiced as he recovered from an ACL injury. Pettine said that Faulk is ready-to-go now, but instead of being at offensive tackle, he is giving guard a shot:
On Browns OL Chris Faulk: "No limitations. He’s at guard to start, but we evaluate that he’s a guy that we were very much looking forward to this camp, kind of getting him out there and testing that knee and seeing what he can do."
It's hard to take a leap of faith with Faulk, but with the potential he had pre-injury, wouldn't it be a nice little fantasy if he came in and looked like a machine at guard?
Lastly, the other news on the offensive line is that a player made a position change: tight end Keavon Milton is no longer running with the tight ends:
#Browns moved Keavon Milton from TE to offensive line. He's listed at 6-4, 293. Also changed uni #'s & now wearing 63; wore 83 last year
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) April 30, 2014
It makes sense for Milton to try his luck on the offensive line. The Browns already have Jordan Cameron, Gary Barnidge, and Jim Dray ahead of him on the depth chart, and MarQueis Gray and Andre Smith are also at the position.