It hasn’t been an easy start to the season for Cleveland Browns LT Jedrick Wills Jr., who’s been no stranger to criticism after he allowed two sacks in the first two games of the year and has mostly struggled in his fifth NFL season.
The flak for Wills has slowed down for now, however, after a strong performance Sunday against a vaunted 49ers pass rush.
Wills didn’t allow a sack and earned a season-best 69.0 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus in Sunday’s 19-17 upset win, and his strong showing earned him praise Thursday from offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, who thought the entire offensive line blocked well against the 49ers.
“They earned the game ball last week across the board,” Van Pelt said. “Thought they played extremely well. I thought Jed may have had one of his best games as a Brown, as a pass protector and then Dawand (Jones), you know he lit up and came on. His strength is pass pro and if he had struggled, I think (Nick) Bosa would have stayed on that side the whole game. He was bouncing back and forth.
“So I was really proud of both tackles, especially in their pass protection.”
Wills earned a 78.1 run blocking grade, which was also a season-high, while his pass block grade was a paltry 58.3 after he allowed three pressures on Browns backup QB P.J. Walker. The grade, though, was still a season-best for the 24-year-old tackle.
Prior to Sunday, Wills had yet to register an offensive grade above 56.9 in a game this season and had allowed at least four pressures in all but one game this year, putting him on pace for a career-worst season in that category.
Perhaps a better game against a 49ers defense that ranked third in the league in pressure percentage will help him find his footing.
Wills has been in the O-Line spotlight ever since he became Andrew Berry’s first draft pick as the 10th overall selection in the 2020 draft. The Browns chose to pick up his fifth-year option last year, putting a $14.2 million price tag on the Alabama product, but hadn’t seen Wills turn in a quality game until the Week 6 win.
Wills deserves credit for playing well Sunday even though All-Pro left guard Joel Bitonio missed the game with a knee injury. While he might’ve still had his struggles in pass blocking, his efforts in the run department helped the Browns put up 160 rushing yards against a formidable 49ers run defense.
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