3 Offensive Tackle Options for Browns on Days 2 and 3 of 2023 NFL Draft
The Cleveland Browns undoubtedly have several holes to fill on defense, but General Manager Andrew Berry has shown that he's not afraid to make a jarring pick early in the draft if he finds value there.
Would it actually be as shocking as it seems?
Jedrick Wills has been a huge topic of conversation amongst the Browns faithful in 2022, and for good reason. He usually executes his initial assignment well, but has shown time and time again that he lacks the situational awareness that an NFL left tackle needs. He seems to get lethargic as the games go on, and will show little to no effort in terms of trying to find somebody else to block so that the play can be extended.
Cleveland has a big decision to make soon in regards to whether or not they'll be picking up Wills' 5th-year option. Honestly, it would be surprising if they don't pick it up simply based on the current opportunity cost. There really isn't a better option at LT available in free agency, or without making a substantial trade.
If one of Andrew Berry's "guys" are available at picks 42 or 98, it wouldn't surprise me if an offensive tackle was selected there. Whether it's to find a future starter or for depth, Cleveland will most likely add a tackle at some point in the 2023 draft.
Here are three offensive tackles on day 2 and day 3 that Cleveland could be eyeing as of right now.
Day Two Offensive Tackles
Anton Harrison, Oklahoma - 6'5", 315 Lbs.
Pass Blocking: Harrison is an excellent pass blocker with smooth feet and above average upper body strength. He is able to easily combat cross-chop and club-rip moves by pass rushers with a devastating initial punch and expert hand placement. Harrison might be the best overall pass blocker in this year's offensive tackle class.
Run Blocking: He is an aggressive player that does a great job of keeping a wide base and maintaining a consistent leg drive in all phases of run blocking . He shows the capability of being effective in multiple schemes in terms of zone or gap/power blocking. He wasn't asked to do it much in 2022, but has shown that he is an adequate puller on counter and dart plays as well.
Fit: Harrison is the breed of dominant offensive tackle that could start right away in Cleveland. He possesses the lateral speed, agility, and fluid hips needed in order to run defenders off the line of scrimmage as a zone blocker. That's exactly the type of player that could thrive in the Browns wide zone scheme. He also has the brute strength required to drive defenders backwards and set the edge on the front side of power plays. Harrison is the type of player that needs to be there at pick 42 in order for the Browns to feel comfortable declining Jedrick Wills' 5th-year option on May 1st.
Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse - 6'5", 323 Lbs.
Pass Blocking: He displays great awareness when it comes to picking up twists and different stunt variations by the defense. Great hand and grip strength allows Bergeron to latch on and control defenders throughout each play. One of the main things that he'll need to work on at the next level is his functional strength. He can occasionally be overwhelmed by bull rushers.
Run Blocking: Bergeron is a technician as a run blocker. He does an excellent job wrestling a leverage advantage on initial contact. He wins with balance, body control, and hand placement in the run game as opposed to brute strength. Bergeron is an elite talent in this class in terms of keeping his body between the defender and the ball. His specialty is being able to swivel and turn defenders away from the ball in the run game. He easily sifts through traffic and makes excellent second level blocks as well.
Fit: Bergeron would be a great addition to Cleveland's offensive line room because he moves so well in space both as a pass and run blocker. Aside from traditional pass blocking, he is smooth in the type of slide protection variations that Kevin Stefanski utilizes in his run/play-action boot concepts. He also makes excellent reach and backside cutoff blocks which is what helps open up the type of sizeable cutback lanes that Nick Chubb is so good at exploiting.
Blake Freeland, BYU - 6'7", 312 Lbs.
Pass Blocking: Freeland is a towering offensive tackle that plays with a wide base and maintains great knee-bend on a consistent basis, which is unusual for players at his height. He uses his great length and long kick strides get out in front of speed rushers, and maintains a proficient center of gravity upon contact.
Run Blocking: He is a great zone blocker due to his short-area quickness and lateral movement skills. Freeland is also great at anticipating linebacker movement and regularly takes good angles to cut off defenders. He does however tend to overextend or lunge at defenders occasionally which causes him to lose balance and stability. This usually results in defenders being able to swipe his hands down and making him fall to the ground.
Fit: Freeland has significant potential, but he would need to sit and learn from Bill Callahan for a full season before he could possibly take over a starting spot. He undoubtedly shows the framework to be a starting offensive tackle in the NFL. Blake Freeland would be a great round 3 option for Cleveland.
Day Three Offensive Tackles
Ryan Hayes, Michigan - 6'6", 305 Lbs.
Pass Blocking: Hayes is adequate as a pass protector. He maintains good balance, body control, and wide base. He usually operates with a decent pass set and consistently battles to get proper hand placement on the defender. His main issue in this category is that he has the tendency to overset and get beat inside by twitchy pass rushers.
Run Blocking: He does a great job of making contact and controlling the defender with his exceptional grip strength, especially in zone. Hayes gets a good initial push and is able to knock defenders off balance with his powerful upper body.
Fit: Hayes could develop into a great depth option at tackle for Cleveland, with the potential for more if James Hudson doesn't fully pan out before his contract ends. In round 6 that's exactly the type of player that you're looking for if you're the Browns.
Connor Galvin, Baylor - 6'7", 302 Lbs.
Pass Blocking: Connor Galvin is a big, smart offensive tackle with above average football IQ. His most attractive trait is his instinctual ability to time his punches at the most opportune times, which makes a tremendous difference in terms of interrupting the pass rushers’ timing. He's also extremely quick out of his stance, which enables him to stay in front of speed rushers attempting to run the arc.
Run Blocking: He’s an excellent mover in space. Galvin is great on the play side of zone plays because he’s able to get good lateral movement and string defenders out towards the sideline. He also keeps a strong post-arm latched onto the defender to prevent them from ripping underneath.
Fit: Much like Hayes, Galvin shows enough potential to grow into a solid depth option for the Browns. He is an incredibly experienced, successful left tackle in a pro style offense so he would be an ideal candidate for Cleveland in the 5th or 6th round.
Tyler Steen, Alabama - 6'5", 325 Lbs.
Pass Blocking: Steen has nimble feet and surprising athleticism. He has a beautiful overall pass set that allows him to ride pass rushers past the pocket. He does a solid job combatting bullrushes with hip torque and outright functional strength. He has a tendency to lunge at defenders which causes him to lose balance, but that’s an area that could improve with coaching at the NFL level.
Run Blocking: His athleticism is most apparent in this aspect. He is explosive out of his stance and has the ability to cut off defenders on the backside of plays, as well as drive defenders off the ball.
Fit: Tyler Steen is one of the more intriguing offensive tackles that should be available on day 3 of the NFL draft. His overall athleticism, functional strength, and year-to-year technical improvement is astounding. He got reps at both guard and tackle in the Senior Bowl and was a standout at both spots. Steen is a player who could succeed at either tackle or guard in Cleveland because of his reliable pass blocking, ability to hit a moving target in space, and scheme versatility.
