The Cleveland Browns will have to continue to add to their offensive line this offseason but they’re not faced with the issue that some people think.
A common talking point recently around the team has been the left tackle position and Jedrick Wills Jr. Wills will be playing on a fifth-year option this year and is set to be a free agent next offseason. There is a group of folks who believe that Wills’ play has already warranted the team to move on.
While the team could and the contract is moveable, riding out the fifth year seems like the more likely thing that is going to happen.
Why the Browns keep Jedrick Wills Jr. for the 2024 season
In football, it is hard to stack offensive line depth that doesn’t have a large fall-off. Cleveland is in a situation right now where they have three starting-caliber tackles between Wills, Jack Conklin, and Dawand Jones. Jones broke onto the scene as a rookie taking over for Conklin and is an example of why it is important to have quality depth.
Jones could end up being a player the Browns move to left tackle, as he’s shown he’s a starter in the NFL already. Conklin has dealt with injuries throughout his career and played in just one game last season. Keeping Wills for the time being and having an insurance option outright is ideal if you can do it.
Through four seasons, Wills has put things on tape that are quite good, but consistency is lacking. In the NFL there are some pretty rough tackles making rosters and average tackles often end up getting paid. I would categorize Wills as a very average tackle when he is healthy, something he often has not been in Cleveland.
The cap charge of $14.5 million is something the Browns can afford with the rise in cap and other roster moves to come.
Final point
Cleveland should keep Wills and give him the chance to be the starter at left tackle again in 2024. According to Terry Pluto of Cleveland Dot Com, it is something they very well could be doing.
“I hear the Browns ‘feel good’ about the offensive line. They believe Dawand Jones may soon be a Pro Bowler. They are “bullish” on how Jedrick Wills Jr. finished the season. They hope Jack Conklin can stay healthy. That would give them three starting caliber tackles.” - Terry Pluto
If camp rolls around and the Browns move Jones to left tackle and he steals the job, then so be it. Cleveland can keep Wills for quality depth for one season, or then orchestrate a move. But the Wills issue has been overblown in Cleveland and it’s going to work itself out one way or another in 2024.
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