Heading into their second preseason game on Saturday, the Cleveland Browns have reasons for optimism, if not for this season, then for the future. A talented group of young players onboarded from the past two NFL Drafts has given the Browns a strong foundation to build upon.
But as far as this year goes, the Browns have some issues that may prove too difficult to overcome. First and foremost, a quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders has not provided a clear answer to a longstanding problem.
Almost as importantly, the Browns will enter the season with a brand new offensive line, as they are the first team since the NFL merger in 1970 that has to replace all five of its most-used starters from the previous season. It is still a work in progress, and it may be for quite some time.
With that in mind, current analyst and former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger shared his early thoughts about the Browns, and a lot of his concern revolves around that unit.
“Andrew Berry has done a good job in the draft. I thought the Browns crushed the draft this year with what they brought in, the haul that they had, and the different positions that they addressed to go with last year’s draft, which was very productive. I feel like Todd Monken’s taking over a young team. I have not seen a team this year where a team is trying to start five new offensive linemen. And for a long time, when you would come to Cleveland, you’d go back to Joe Thomas or Joel Bitonio or Wyatt Teller. You knew there was going to be some veterans up front, and there are, but there are five new guys, and so what George Warhop and Bobby Johnson have to do right now is blend those guys. So, I’m interested to see the chemistry and how quickly that comes together,” Baldinger said.
Last year, each of the Browns’ seven picks from the 2025 NFL Draft contributed in some way, led by Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger, and all of them are back this season. They are being joined by 10 picks from the 2026 NFL Draft, a group that’s been highlighted by rookie wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston.
Cleveland’s top pick from this year’s draft was offensive lineman Spencer Fano, at No. 9 overall, and he has already been named the team’s starting left tackle. He will be joined by trade acquisition Tytus Howard at right tackle, free agent signees Zion Johnson at left guard and Elgton Jenkins at center, and returning former backup Teven Jenkins at right guard.
It is a good thing that head coach Todd Monken, offensive line coach Warhop, and assistant O-line coach Johnson are still not trying to figure out the starting five, but the Browns are also running out of time to get that unit to jell and improve, especially since many of them are not expected to play against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, coming out of a joint practice earlier in the week..
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