The Cleveland Browns enter the 2026 season with plenty of storylines to monitor, but a recent roster ranking from CBS Sports pinpointed the offensive line as the area carrying the most uncertainty heading into Week 1. Landing at number 30 out of 32 teams in CBS Sports’ full roster rankings, Cleveland’s overall grade was lifted by a talented front seven on defense, yet that strength was offset by legitimate concerns about whether a completely reshuffled offensive line can hold up over a full season.
CBS Sports analysts Jordan Dajani and Tyler Sullivan explained exactly why the offensive line represents such a significant unknown.
“The question, offensive line. The Browns are the only team since 1970 to lose their top five offensive line starters all in the same offseason. This unit wasn’t very good in 2025 and was hit hard by injuries, so the question is, can this new group keep the quarterback upright. First round pick Spencer Fano is expected to start at left tackle, Zion Johnson at left guard, Elgton Jenkins at center, Teven Jenkins at right guard and Tytus Howard at right tackle,” Dajani and Sullivan wrote.
Losing an entire starting offensive line in a single offseason is what stands out even in a league defined by constant roster turnover, and it places enormous pressure on Andrew Berry and the front office to have gotten these replacements right. Fano, taken 9th overall in this year’s draft, won the starting left tackle job over Dawand Jones during camp, giving Cleveland a foundational piece who evaluators view as a long-term answer at one of the most important positions on the roster. The interior and right side additions of Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins, and Tytus Howard bring a mix of experience from other organizations, but chemistry along an offensive line typically takes time to develop.
How quickly this new offensive line group can gel together will likely determine whether Cleveland’s season trends toward respectability or continues the struggles that plagued the unit throughout an injury-riddled 2025 campaign. With training camp battles now settled and the regular season fast approaching, all eyes will be on whether Fano and his new running mates can defy the historical odds working against them.
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