Cleveland Browns Persons of Interest- Offensive Tackles

The Cleveland Browns have one major hole on the offense unless you believe that the 2019 version Baker Mayfield is the quarterback that you will see in 2020 in which case there are two major holes.

For the purposes of this post, let's assume that "Buddy Boy" Baker bounces back into rookie season form and look at the offense under those conditions.

The clear hole is at left tackle, where the Browns have placed various turnstiles passed off as linemen since the retirement of Joe Thomas.
Rumors are still connecting with the Browns trading for Washington's Trent Williams, but Williams hasn't played all sixteen games in a season since 2013, will want a huge extension, and should the Browns not sign him to that extension, Williams would be a free agent after the 2020 season.
The draft is heavy at the top of the draft at tackle, but not especially deep as there could be as many as four tackles selected in the top ten picks, but only three others are considered as late first round or second round level with the four tackles lacking a consensus leader at the position.

While I would be happy with any of the four tackles at ten and would take any there unless the one player that like most in this draft would happen to be available ( see part two), the tackle that I have rated highest in Tristan Wirfs of Iowa.
Wirfs dominated the combine, had an excellent career at Iowa, doesn't come with character issues, and the Hawkeyes come with a history of developing standout linemen at the pro level.
The big question that some have is can Wirfs make the move from the right tackle to the left side after playing almost his entire career on the right side?
Wirfs did play a few games last season at left tackle and didn't struggle, but some scouts see Wirfs best position as eventually being at guard.

I also like Andrew Thomas of Georgia, who has been a left tackle for his college career and would be the safest choice of the four.
Thomas will need developing as a pass blocker, but he should be able to step into the lineup on day one and will be fine as a run blocker.
Thomas may be the best of the four to step in instantly, but I don't think his ceiling is as high as the other three top tackles.

Mekhi Becton of Louisville is the best physical specimen of the group and he has the size and tools that could see him as an All-Pro contender for years.
At 6'7 and 364 pounds, Becton reminds me physically of Orlando Pace, and should Becton play to his potential, the Browns would have the natural successor to Joe Thomas.
The problem is that Becton hasn't always played hard on every down, although that wasn't reported to be an issue last season for the Cardinals.
Becton also has questions about conditioning and staying in shape, which is the difference between a finely tuned big man at 365 pounds and a slowed-down version at 400.
Becton could be tremendous, but he could also be Greg Robinson 2.0 if unmotivated.

Alabama's Jedrick Wills is a well-balanced tackle that also has the question that Tristan Wirfs, can he move from right tackle to left?
Wills has very quick feet, has excellent athleticism and he's capable of playing guard if needed.
Wills is reported to be very competitive and doesn't come with a tag of not playing every down.
Willis is the lightest and shortest of the four linemen and has the shortest arms, which could become an issue against rangier defensive ends and keeping them at length.

I'd be fine with the Browns selecting any of these four, but they may decide to trade down as Cleveland is back to a front office that prefers quantity over quality.
I prefer impact players myself but to each their own and should the Browns address another position or trade down they could still get a tackle in the second round or more likely trade back into the late first round.

USC's Justin Jackson has good size and excellent athletic ability and plays with what Dan Shonka of Ourlad's described as an "aggressive playing style and hustle that will have coaches excited about working with him".
Jackson has been noted to have strength and balance issues, but neither has been described as problems that couldn't be solved with some work.
If one of these three is worth trading back into the first round for, it's Jackson.

Houston's Josh Jones is a player that I have seen often in recent years.
At 6'5 and 319, Jones is more finesse than power, and Jones has the build of a power forward more than a tackle.
Jones ranks with the top four as an athlete and as a pass blocker, but he does need to gain strength for the run game and against the best power rushers.

I've also seen plenty of Boise State's Ezra Cleveland, who has been connected to the Browns as a possibility if the trade down possibility arises.
Cleveland is taller at 6'6 and weighs a bit over 300, but seems to be better as a run blocker than a pass blocker which is unusual for a player from the Mountain West.
I like Cleveland, but I think he might be better as a guard as he matures and while I would be content with him in the second round, trading back into the first for him seems to be a reach.

I could see the Browns taking a guard on day three of the draft with the contenders for what seems to be a wide-open right guard position between Wyatt Teller, Chris Hubbard, and Drew Forbes lacking a solid leader.

My rankings in order of preference.
1) Tristan Wirfs
2) Jedrick Wills

3) Andrew Thomas
4) Mekhi Becton
5) Justin Jackson
6) Josh Jones
7) Ezra Cleveland

I planned on writing an entire piece on the offense, but writing about the tackles took longer than I expected.
I plan on a shorter piece later today on the offensive skill persons of interest and then working on the defensive side tonight from the road office.
If I have the time and there aren't guarantees that I will, I could give a mock draft a try.