Browns finally get Shedeur Sanders some help with major trade

The Cleveland Browns gave up 51 sacks in 17 regular-season games last season, the eighth worst in the league, per NFL Pickwatch. 

Their revolving door at quarterback hurt their offense, but there was only so much they could've done behind a brittle offensive line and in collapsed pockets. That's why fixing the offensive line was the first order of business of the Todd Monken era.

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Browns acquired veteran RT Tytus Howard from the Houston Texans. 

"Sources: The Texans and Browns have agreed to terms on a trade to send starting RT Tytus Howard to Cleveland in exchange for a fifth-round pick," Rapoport wrote on X. "Much-needed OL help. Plus, Howard gets a new 3-year, $63M extension."

What Tytus Howard's addition means for Browns

The Browns will likely lose the injury-prone Jack Conklin in free agency, and they will use one of their two first-round picks to select their left tackle of the future.

That's great news for Shedeur Sanders, who took 23 sacks in just eight games (seven starts). The 29-year-old Howard has started 93 games in his seven years in the league. Unlike Conklin, he's started at least 14 games in five of his seven seasons. Also, Pro Football Focus gave him a 77.1 pass-blocking grade, which ranked 17th among 89 eligible tackles.

Howard didn't allow a single sack in 1,021 snaps played, giving up just one QB hit and 21 pressures. He played at both guard spots, but more than half of his snaps (555) came at right tackle, and that type of versatility can work wonders for Monken's team.

As for Sanders, he's reportedly leading the race to be the starter, but even if that's not the case, the Browns desperately needed to retool and strengthen the trenches.