The Browns’ offensive line was thought to be settled heading into training camp, anchored by rookie left tackle Spencer Fano and a veteran interior that has drawn steady praise through the spring and early camp. But Todd Monken and his staff are considering moves that would have seemed unlikely just a few weeks ago.
Tony Grossi of The Land On Demand laid out exactly what that potential shakeup would look like.
“Monken admitted there have been conversations about moving right tackle Tytus Howard to right guard and moving left tackle Dawand Jones to right tackle. This change, which is just a conversation at this point, would be made in the vein of putting the best five linemen on the field together. It would result in a left-to-right starting line of Spencer Fano at left tackle, Zion Johnson at left guard, Elgton Jenkins at center, Howard at right guard, and Jones at right tackle,” Grossi wrote.
The logic behind the potential swap centers on a simple principle that Monken has repeated throughout camp, getting the best five linemen on the field together regardless of the label attached to each spot. Jones has been arguably the most impressive lineman in pads through the first stretch of practices, splitting time with Fano at left tackle while drawing praise for his conditioning and physical presence up front. Moving him across the formation to right tackle would allow Cleveland to fully commit to Fano as the every down left tackle while keeping Jones on the field in a role suited to his skill set. Howard, meanwhile, has spent the bulk of his career at tackle, but the Browns clearly view his flexibility as valuable enough to consider sliding him inside if the alternative at right guard remains unsettled.
Monken was careful to note that nothing is finalized, stating clearly that the staff still likes Howard at right tackle for now while continuing to work through options at guard.
With the joint practice against Buffalo looming as an unofficial deadline for several roster decisions, the coaching staff has real incentive to settle on its best five sooner rather than later. Jones earning praise for his shape and competitiveness this summer only adds another layer of intrigue, since rewarding that effort with a starting role fits the message Monken has sent about performance dictating opportunity.
Do not be surprised if Cleveland commits to the swap and rolls out a very different starting five than most expected entering the summer.
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