Outside of Dawand Jones, every presumed starter on the Browns’ offensive line is set to hit free agency in 2026. While Cleveland has already added some potential long-term options on the interior, the offensive tackle position remains one of the team’s most pressing long-term needs. With Jack Conklin, Dawand Jones, and Cornelius Lucas currently on the roster, the Browns don’t necessarily need an immediate contributor, but drafting a rookie to get ahead of next offseason would be a smart move. Given the extensive injury histories of both Conklin and Jones, adding another option further down the depth chart makes a lot of sense. Beyond the top three, Cleveland has a trio of UDFAs in Lorenzo Thompson, Julian Pearl, and Roy Mbaeteka, none of whom have made their NFL debut yet.
While Dawand Jones had a disappointing sophomore campaign, logging snaps at both tackle spots, he might currently be the favorite to start at left tackle for the Browns in 2025. If Jones can recapture the promise he showed as a rookie, he should factor into Cleveland’s long-term plans. Whether that ends up being on the left or right side remains to be seen. To bolster the position, the front office added one of the league’s better swing tackles in Cornelius Lucas, who brings valuable depth and should at least provide some competition for the starting left tackle job. When healthy, Jack Conklin has been the Browns’ most dependable offensive tackle in recent years. But as he turns 31 this year, and after suffering major knee injuries in two of the past four seasons, Conklin could be just one more significant injury away from retirement. By restructuring his contract this offseason, the Browns gave themselves the flexibility to move on from him next year if needed.
With all the uncertainty surrounding the Browns’ tackle situation, I’d be surprised if they come out of the draft without selecting at least one. This year’s Super Bowl was a clear reminder of how crucial it is to win in the trenches, getting those positions right makes everything else on the field a whole lot easier. While this class may lack a true blue-chip offensive tackle, there are still several intriguing options at the top. With four picks in the top 100, Cleveland will have multiple chances to add talent to the offensive line. Here are some of my favorite prospects the Browns could target this week (all measurements are from the NFL Combine):
Targets For Round 2
With an unpredictable first round ahead, the players in this tier could very well be off the board by pick 33, but it’s not out of the question that one might still be available. This tackle class doesn’t feature a “can’t-miss” prospect like Joe Alt last year, so where these players land will largely depend on how teams prioritize specific traits. On top of that, a few prospects are viewed by some teams more as guards, which could slightly lower their positional value for them. Still, based on the Browns’ draft tendencies and the general consensus on likely first-rounders, these two prospects stood out to me.
Josh Conerly, Oregon (Draft Age: 21.47, 6’5″, 311 lbs.)
I believe Josh Conerly is one of the most underrated tackle prospects in this class, currently ranked in the 30-35 range on most major big boards out there. He is slightly undersized for an offensive tackle, but his athleticism, long arms (his pro-day measurements are more accurate), and powerful legs create a strong combination. His athleticism really stands out when he moves, especially when he gets to the second level on running plays. Conerly plays with a low pad level in the run game, and when he gets his hands on defenders at the line of scrimmage, his legs work like pistons to drive them backward. His hand placement is typically spot-on, and once he latches onto defenders, he’s not letting go. Another impressive trait is his ability to reset his base at almost 90-degree angles to cut off defenders. His long legs cover significant ground in pass protection, and for someone his size, he’s surprisingly effective against bull rushers. Conerly’s awareness in pass protection is outstanding, and even when he finds himself in a tough spot, his elite recovery athleticism allows him to regain control quickly.
While Conerly moves well in space, he struggles with taking proper pursuit angles, often leading to missed blocks at the second level. Additionally, he lacks that dickhead-mentality you’d typically want in offensive linemen, sometimes appearing to half-heartedly throw his body into defenders or even avoiding contact entirely when on the move. Though he’s not quite as powerful or tenacious as you’d like in the run game, I believe this isn’t always due to physical limitation. Despite not being the tallest tackle, Conerly tends to play with a slightly high pad level, which allows defenders to get their hands into his chest more easily.
Not turning 22 until November and possessing intriguing tools for his position, Conerly fits the Browns’ draft criteria to a tee. With the Chiefs likely to target a left tackle in the first round, Conerly would make sense for them, or even the Texans at pick 25. However, if he slips to 33, the combination of value and need would make him an incredible prospect for the Browns. While he may not be elite in many areas, Conerly doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses that pass rushers have consistently exploited on tape, making him a well-rounded, plug-and-play tackle. Many of the issues that appear on tape seem fixable, and with the right coaching, Conerly’s ceiling is exceptionally high. While the Browns wouldn’t need to start him in year one, he could certainly challenge Jones for the starting left tackle spot. This also could open the door for Jones to return to the right side long-term, where he has spent the majority of his career.
Kelvin Banks, Texas (Draft Age: 21.12, 6’5″, 315 lbs.)
Kelvin Banks is a polarizing prospect, often viewed as more of a guard at the next level. However, I believe he’s a tackle until proven otherwise, as he possesses many intriguing traits for the position. His first-step explosiveness is among the most impressive in this class, and combined with his generally low pad level, makes him a powerful blocker. Although he’s “only” 315 lbs., much of his weight is located in his lower body, which allows him to move defenders effectively in the run game with a motor that rarely stops. He’s also a nasty finisher, always hunting for blood once he reaches the second level. In pass protection, Banks shows solid footwork, maintaining a wide base while being agile enough to react to pass rush moves. He’s also very skilled with his hands, slapping defenders’ arms away or using snatch traps to take them out of plays. He loves to strike first, even in pass protection, and can also use leverage to anchor against bull rushes.
Although his wingspan is impressive, much of it comes from his broad shoulders, as his arm length is more of a weakness than a strength. While he often compensates for this with skilled hand fighting, it can become a liability against long-armed bull rushers. When facing bendy speed rushers, he tends to get beat to his outside shoulder, as he doesn’t quite have the footspeed to match up with elite rushers. Overall, Banks is more of a good, not great athlete, with the exception of his explosive first step. Though he’s generally solid in space, he occasionally gets too eager to take out a linebacker or DB, leading him to overshoot his target.
While many draft boards, especially early in the offseason, had Banks ranked much higher than in the 30s, his pre-draft process was quieter compared to that of other players. Although it’s still likely he’ll go in the first round, there’s a chance he could slip a little, especially if teams view him primarily as a guard-only prospect. With the Browns’ long-term plans for the entire left side of their offensive line still somewhat uncertain, Banks’ positional conflict might even prove advantageous. The Browns could give Banks a shot at tackle, knowing that, in the worst-case scenario, they’d have a very good left guard. Like Conerly, Banks wouldn’t have to start in year one but would certainly challenge Jones for the starting role. Additionally, if Jones proves to be the long-term answer at left tackle, Cleveland could easily slide Banks inside to guard in the event of injuries or after Bitonio’s retirement.
Targets for Round 3
The depth of this year’s tackle class isn’t great, with a noticeable drop-off after the top five, in my opinion. While that doesn’t mean these players won’t succeed at the next level, they certainly come with more question marks. There’s been some speculation about the Browns using their second-round pick in some form to add a quarterback, making a tackle selection in round three a likely scenario. Looking at Andrew Berry’s recent third-round picks, it’s clear the age guardrails aren’t as strict anymore. With that in mind, these two prospects stand out as players the Browns might want to take a closer look at.
Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota (Draft Age: 23.18, 6’6″, 331 lbs.)
Ersery is an old-fashioned mauler in the run game, consistently putting impressive highlight blocks on tape. His thick lower body and low pad level allow him to get underneath defenders and take them for a ride. Additionally, Ersery is a great mover in space, making him a dangerous asset when pulling or working to the second level. He certainly has the core and upper body strength to execute reach and cutoff blocks, even against defenders with better leverage. In pass protection, Ersery can really drop his hips and anchor against bull rushes, while delivering powerful punches to knock pass rushers off their path. He’s also a very disciplined player who rarely draws flags.
When moving backward, Ersery’s base isn’t always stable, allowing defenders to push him off balance more often than you’d like. Additionally, his movement can sometimes appear clunky, giving rushers opportunities to get around him. This was particularly evident against agile rushers who used quick secondary moves (eurostep, juke, etc.) off the speed rush, where Ersery struggled at times. The same applied to rushers who worked off the bull rush, using push-pull moves or simply out-leveraging him to knock him off balance. While he was able to land powerful punches consistently, his ability to get into a defender’s chest and sustain blocks was more hit or miss.
Depending on how many tackles are selected in the first round, Ersery could also be a target in the second round, though likely not at 33. If he’s available at the top of the third, Cleveland would get tremendous value for a potential starting left tackle. Given the Browns’ struggles to move the ball on the ground in 2024, Ersery’s tenacity and ability to move defenders in the run game would be a welcome addition. While he probably won’t ever be elite when left on an island, his pass protection is certainly serviceable right away, especially when scheming up some help against twitchier pass rushers. Despite having three years of starting experience, Ersery’s traits still leave a lot of potential to develop. With players like Mekhi Becton and Tyler Smith finding success after transitioning from tackle to guard, a similar career path for Ersery is certainly a possibility as well, if he doesn’t stick at tackle.
Charles Grant, William & Mary (Draft Age: 23.09, 6’5″, 311 lbs.)
While projecting players to the NFL based on their performances against FCS competition is always challenging, dominating at that level is a strong indicator of potential. Grant’s size and athleticism really stood out, especially his long arms and legs. While he isn’t the most explosive when moving backward, each of his steps covers enough ground to make up for it. However, the story changes when Grant is asked to run block, as he possesses some of the most impressive open-field movement skills in this class. His ability to reach block defenders on outside runs was exceptional and should definitely translate to the next level. Once he got his arms inside a defender’s chest, which is made a lot easier by 34 3/4″ arms, he rarely failed to sustain the block.
The obvious criticism of Grant is the level of competition, as he spent his entire five-year college career in the FCS. Given that he didn’t face many highly skilled pass rushers at that level, he often relied more on physical traits than technique to win. Additionally, considering he likely didn’t receive a lot of top-tier coaching in college, he remains a raw prospect for a 23-year-old with nearly four years of starting experience. While his feet cover a lot of ground, they appear a bit heavy when dropping into protection, which allows quicker rushers to beat him to the spot. He also struggles with inside counters when committing to the speed rush. While there is some power to his game, I’m not sure he’ll be able to sustain that against NFL competition.
There have been surprisingly many FCS linemen drafted early in recent years, with results ranging from Trevor Penning to Cody Mauch. While there will always be some bias when evaluating these prospects, certain traits, like movement skills, are largely independent of the level of competition. That said, different teams will grade him very differently depending on their scheme. Although the Browns aren’t as wide-zone-heavy as other teams, it is a key element of Stefanski’s offense, and an area where Grant excels. With the extra third-round pick from the Amari Cooper trade, Grant would be a worthy gamble at 94 or possibly even 67, depending on how many tackles remain on the board. Given that he’s raw coming out of college, the Browns probably could afford him the luxury of a redshirt year to get up to NFL speed, allowing him to compete for the starting job in 2026.
Targets for Round 4 and beyond
With most NFL-ready offensive tackles already off the board, this tier features more of the developmental prospects and high-floor, low-ceiling players. While they may not start right away, or potentially at all, having players provide depth on the offensive line on rookie contracts is incredibly valuable. It’s rare to see the same five linemen start every game of the season, so it’s almost certain that OT3/4 will see the field at some point. That said, the Browns’ fourth-round pick is still a valuable asset and should be used accordingly. Let’s take a look at the prospects to keep an eye on at the start of Day 3.
Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College (Draft Age: 23.52, 6’8″, 316 lbs.)
Trapilo was an incredibly fun player to watch, as his motor never stops, and he’s always searching for work, regardless of whether the play is headed his way or not. Though he’s somewhat of a short-stepper, his quick feet allow him to mirror sudden changes in direction from pass rushers. His awareness also stands out, as he’s smart at recognizing stunts and feeling the rush, providing his QB with as clean a pocket as possible. My favorite trait of Trapilo’s is his ability to sink his hips, plant his feet, and anchor down against incoming bull rushes. Once he gets his hands into a defender’s chest, it’s nearly impossible for them to escape his grip. His hand placement is also clean and disciplined, staying within his opponent’s chest to avoid penalties. Over the course of his career at Boston College, Trapilo played significant snaps at both tackle positions, adding valuable versatility to an offensive line room.
Trapilo has a bit of an unusual build for an offensive lineman, as he’s very tall but has relatively short limbs, which naturally puts him at a leverage disadvantage. He presents a large target area, and when combined with his tendency to play with high pad level, it becomes relatively easy for defenders to land punches and knock him off balance. As strong as his anchor can be, he sometimes sells out to stop bull rushes, leaving himself vulnerable to secondary moves. Pass rushers who can convert speed to power will occasionally take him for a ride, exploiting that leverage mismatch. While his feet are quick, his steps don’t cover much ground, which can make it difficult for him to beat defenders to the edge on speed rushes. And although he clearly shows the willingness to throw his body around in the run game, he lacks a bit of raw strength to move people off their spots on a down-to-down basis.
In a relatively thin offensive tackle class, Trapilo could be in play as early as pick 94, though his limited upside might cause some teams to pass on him on Day 2. If that happens, he’d be a tremendous value early in the fourth round as a high-floor prospect. While he may never develop into a true starting-caliber tackle, Trapilo projects as one of the better swing tackles in the league. If he can learn to play with better pad level to mitigate his leverage disadvantage, becoming an average starter isn’t out of the question as well. Either way, Trapilo is an incredibly fun player to watch and looks poised for a long NFL career, possibly even in Cleveland.
Cameron Williams, Texas (Draft Age: 21.52, 6’6″ 317 lbs.)
Williams is one of the few true traits-based, developmental prospects in this offensive tackle class. He boasts exceptionally long arms and massive hands, making it easy for him to lock onto defenders. When opponents try to go through him, they often struggle to match his raw strength and end up completely taken out of the play. That same power shows up in the run game, where he uses his strong lower half to move defenders against their will. Every now and then, you’ll see flashes of nastiness in his play in moments where he goes out of his way to drive defenders into the ground.
Despite possessing all the physical tools needed to play offensive tackle in the NFL, Williams often looks lost on the football field. In pass protection, his footwork appears uncoordinated, with frequent heel-clicking and an overly narrow base. His hand usage also lacks intent, as pass rushers regularly swat them away, leaving him punching air. More often than not, it seems like he’s just trying to latch onto a defender’s chest and hang on for dear life. The result is a high volume of avoidable penalties. Against top-tier competition, his lack of technique was glaring, as he struggled consistently with rushers who had even the slightest of pass-rush tool belts. On crucial downs, Texas rarely left him alone, using double teams or chip help to keep him afloat.
Watching his tape, I couldn’t help but question why Williams chose to declare early, given his limited starting experience and clear lack of refinement. While there’s no denying the potential, he’s a long way from being ready to handle NFL-caliber pass rushers. I’d be surprised if he’s drafted before the fourth round, but at some point, a team will take a swing on his upside. It’s undeniably impressive to see him win reps purely through strength, especially against SEC-level competition. Unfortunately, a knee injury kept him from participating in on-field drills or athletic testing at the combine, an opportunity that might’ve helped boost his draft stock. While the Browns haven’t exactly excelled at developing raw, traits-based offensive linemen, Williams is the kind of prospect I could see them being intrigued by.
Takeaways
Given Andrew Berry’s consistent approach of drafting with the future in mind rather than for immediate needs, adding an offensive tackle feels like a no-brainer to me. That said, with several other long-term needs across the roster, value will be the key here. With a relatively clear plan in place for 2025, the Browns won’t be forced to reach on a tackle, especially if the general lack of depth push tackles up on draft boards around the league. Still, building through the trenches has proven to be a winning formula and will only make life easier for whichever young quarterback the team eventually decides to invest in. This year’s draft is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory, and that’s especially true for the offensive tackle class. Ultimately, I hope I’ve been able to give you a few names to root for as Browns fans, and I’m excited to watch the dominoes begin to fall over the next few days.
My Offensive Tackle Big Board:
- Armand Membou
- Josh Simmons
- Josh Conerly
- Will Campbell
- Kelvin Banks
- Aireontae Ersery
- Anthony Belton
- Charles Grant
- Ozzy Trapilo
- Logan Brown
- Cameron Williams
- Myles Hinton
- Jalen Travis
- Carson Vinson
Image licensing: “NFL Draft Experience” by “Erik Drost“, originally licensed under “CC BY 2.0“
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