:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66571200/usa_today_13508820.0.jpg)
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry has kept busy the past few weeks filling some of the holes on the team’s offensive line.
The biggest addition was free agent right tackle Jack Conklin, who agreed to a three-year deal at the start of free agency.
The Browns worked out a restructured contract with incumbent right tackle Chris Hubbard, and moved on from offensive linemen Greg Robinson, Eric Kush and Justin McCray.
There is still a major void to fill at left tackle and it appears increasingly likely that Berry will look to the upcoming NFL Draft to fix that particular issue.
The Browns currently hold the No. 10 overall selection, so while they will not have their pick of offensive tackles the consensus among just about every mock draft floating around the internet has Berry selecting a tackle when Cleveland is on the clock.
Let’s take a quick run through the various mocks to see just who the Browns might select.
Michael Renner at Pro Football Focus:
Andrew Thomas (OT), Georgia: Thomas’ familiarity with left tackle gives him the nod here over Jedrick Wills. Thomas allowed 37 pressures on 1,075 pass-blocking snaps in his college career.
Andrew Thomas (OT), Georgia: Signing Jack Conklin to stabilize the right side of the line was huge. Acquiring Thomas to man the left side will bring a smile to Baker Mayfield’s face.
Andrew Thomas (OT), Georgia: The Browns land a left tackle to pair with big free-agent signing Jack Conklin and give the offensive line the upgrade it desperately needs.
Jordan Read at The Draft Network:
Andrew Thomas (OT), Georgia: I don’t think there’s a team that’s had a better free agency period than the Cleveland Browns. Signing Jack Conklin to a reasonable three-year, $42 million deal was a major step to their offensive line rebuild, and cashing out and securing Austin Hooper was vital for Kevin Stefanski’s scheme. There wasn’t an offensive play-caller last year that incorporated more double tight ends sets than Stefanski did with the Minnesota Vikings a year ago. The Browns continue their quest to fortify their offensive front and add a rock-solid option in Andrew Thomas.
Nathan Zegura at clevelandbrowns.com:
Tristan Wirfs (OT), Iowa: The Browns find every team’s dream scenario when the best player available also fits their biggest need. Andrew Berry will run to the podium to select the top tackle on the board and, in this scenario with the run on QBs, they are able to land Wirfs, who absolutely electrified athletically at the NFL Combine.
Vinnie Iyer at The Sporting News:
Tristan Wirfs (OT), Iowa: The Browns took care of right tackle in free agency with Jack Conklin signed to replace Chris Hubbard. Here they can get a massive upgrade from Greg Robinson on Baker Mayfield’s blindside. Wirfs has the athleticism at 6-5, 320 pounds to hold down left tackle for a long time. He combines his pass-blocking skills with power and physicality in the running game.
Mekhi Becton (OT), Louisville: “I really liked Cleveland paying up in free agency for Jack Conklin, who will upgrade the right tackle spot. But this team could still use a new starter at left tackle, which is why I like Becton here. A mountain of a man at 6-foot-7, 364 pounds, Becton also has excellent feet and agility — he is the heaviest player to run a sub-5.2 40-yard dash at the combine since 2006. Chris Hubbard, signed in 2018 to replace Joe Thomas, hasn’t worked out; it’s time to get Baker Mayfield better protection.”
Mekhi Becton (OT), Louisville: Perhaps the Browns will think twice about entering the season with Greg Robinson as their left tackle. They desperately need help on the offensive line. At 6-7, 340, Mekhi Becton is a massive human being. Despite his size, however, Becton is athletic and flexible, as he showed us at the combine. He projects similarly to Cordy Glenn.
The 2020 NFL Draft will take place April 23 through April 25.