Dawgs By Nature
Next up on our training camp preview is the offensive line position. Because Cleveland completely overhauled their offensive line from top to bottom this offseason, we’re not previewing the starting five offensive linemen first. Instead, we’re focusing on who the top candidates at offensive tackle are. Part 2 will focus on the top candidates on the interior of the line, and then Part 3 will focus on the back end of the group.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 315 lbs | Age: 23
Experience: Rookie | College: Utah
With the ninth overall pick in this year’s draft, the Browns selected the top offensive lineman on the board in Utah’s Spencer Fano.
Sincer Joe Thomas retired after the 2017 season, Cleveland has been looking for their next top-tier left tackle. They took their first stab at it when they made Jedrick Wills a first-round pick, but he produced mediocre results. After Wills, a few stop-gaps have been in place. It was thought that maybe Dawand Jones could be the left tackle of the future, but he’s had a combination of injury and consistency issues.
Fano has a lot of talent and potential, but he also isn’t expected to be an All-Pro from Day 1 at left tackle. There were some who believe he’d perform better at right tackle or a guard position to begin his career, but Cleveland is going to have him anchor the left side of the line right away, and I don’t have a problem with that, considering the rest of the roster makeup. Here are some other features the DBN staff has written on Fano over the offseason:
Final Roster Odds: 100%
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 320 lbs | Age: 30
Experience: 8 years | College: Alabama State
The first sign that Cleveland was revamping their offensive line this offseason came in early March, when they sent a 5th round pick to the Houston Texans in exchange for Tytus Howard. The move also came with a 3-year, $63 million extension.
Howard was solid in pass protection for Houston, with 93 games started by the former first-round pick. His run blocking is merely average, but after injuries plagued former right tackle Jack Conklin for years, Andrew Berry really placed a premium on durability.
Cleveland has a proven veteran and a first-round pick anchoring their tackle positions, which gives them confidence that they don’t have to worry about those spots for several years.
Barry Shuck also did a write-up on everything you need to know about Howard.
Final Roster Odds: 100%
Height: 6-8 | Weight: 374 lbs | Age: 24
Experience: 4 years | College: Ohio State...
