Browns GM Andrew Berry said the Cleveland Browns were excited when Jedrick Wills Jr. fell to them with the No. 10 overall pick.
One person that was reportedly extremely happy with the pick, was Browns offensive line coach Bill Callahan.
According to Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland Browns Offensive Line Coach Bill Callahan had Jedrick Wills Jr. as his top tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft.
“Callahan had a very strong voice in this selection. The Browns rated Wills as the best pure tackle in the draft. He has always been a right tackle in high school and college. The Browns believe he has the mentality and physical gifts to play either side. Callahan is convinced Wills is ready to make the switch.
“Callahan has a specialized zone blocking scheme. It’s also one favored by Stefanski. Wills is a powerful run-blocker, something very important as the Browns plan to put more emphasis on the running game.”
In 2019, the Browns had the fourth-best yards per rush attempt, and that is mostly thanks to star running back Nick Chubb.
Chubb ran for 1,494 yards and eight touchdowns and was Cleveland’s best player last season.
However, the Browns were not in the top 10 of most other offensive categories.
Wills will be a huge part of improving this offense.
In 2019, the Browns rushed for the 12th-most yards and 15th-most touchdowns.
The passing offense was much worse, as Baker Mayfield was just out of the bottom 10 in passing yards and touchdowns.
Wills is expected to be the Browns rookie with the most impact in 2020:
“With the 10th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns select … Jedrick Wills, Tackle, Alabama.”
📺: #NFLDraft on ABC, ESPN + NFLN pic.twitter.com/89YIVKvpGb
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 24, 2020
Jedrick Wills’ Expectations for His Rookie Season in the NFL
According to Pro Football Focus, the Browns had a tremendous draft:
The @PFF Draft Board ranks of the Browns draft picks:
11. Jedrick Wills Jr.
15. Grant Delpit
23. Jordan ElliottOnly team to take 3 top-25 players on our board
— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) April 25, 2020
Although Wills was not a top-10 Pro Focus Focus Draft Board player, the five-star offensive tackle recruit had a strong career in college.
After being part of a National Championship team at Alabama, he is ready to help the Browns get postseason success.
Cleveland is looking for its first playoff berth since 2002 when Tim Couch was starting for the team.
Wills will also be a large part of helping the Browns becoming a top-10 offense for the first time since 2007.
Browns fans hope that Wills will finally be the heir apparent to Joe Thomas since his career-ending injury in 2017.
In addition to Callahan, both Mayfield and first-year general manager Andrew Berry were elated to have Wills as a part of the Browns.
The Browns Offense in the 2020 Season
Heading into Mayfield’s third season in the NFL, he is hoping to improve upon his six wins per season average.
In his rookie season, he took over and started 13 games and won six of them.
He threw for 27 touchdowns and had 14 interceptions.
According to Pro-Football-Reference, his “sack percentage index” was 113, which ranked as the seventh-best mark in the league in 2018.
However, he had a below-average sack percentage index of 98 (100 is average) in 2019.
Also that year, his touchdown-to-interception ratio was not strong: 22 passing touchdowns to 21 interceptions.
Only Jameis Winston threw more interceptions in 2019.
Wills and former Tennessee Titans right tackle Jack Conklin will be a huge part of improving Mayfield’s sack percentage index and time in the pocket in the upcoming season.
Conklin, a First Team All-Pro selection and 2016 NFL All-Rookie Team member, was a part of a top-three rushing offense in 2019.
NEXT: Two Browns Stars Among Top Odds To Win Comeback Player Of The Year
