Depth At Offensive Guard Is A Top Need In The Draft

The Cleveland Browns only have a few true offensive guards on their current roster. If the interior of the offensive line gets struck by even one significant injury during the 2024 season, then the run game could suffer significantly.

It is officially draft month and the Browns are headed into the 2024 NFL Draft with only four true offensive guards on the roster. Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller headline the group, followed by Michael Dunn and Drew Forbes.

Last season, Teller was the only offensive lineman to play in all 17 regular season games for the Browns. Bitonio missed just two games towards the end of the season while battling with a back injury.

Cleveland was fortunate that the middle of the line mostly stayed in tact, but sometimes fortunes run out and being prepared for the worst is important when aligning a roster for a potential championship run.

If either starting guard were to miss significant time, it is expected that Michael Dunn will be the first to get his number called. Dunn has established himself as a reliable backup in recent history, however, he suffered a calf injury that took him out for a few weeks last season.

The former sixth round draft pick, Drew Forbes, has very limited playing experience in his four years in the NFL. During the 2023 preseason, rookie center Luke Wypler was getting some reps at guard. Now that Nick Harris is with the Seattle Seahawks, Wypler is slated to be Pocic's backup. If Pocic is fully healthy though and there is a major need at guard, Wypler's versatility may be utilized instead of Forbes.

This should be an easy signal that the Cleveland Browns need more than just three reliable guards on the roster.

Javion Cohen is a name to pay close attention to in the next few weeks. The offensive guard prospect from Miami not only had a formal interview with the Browns at the combine, but he also has a top 30 visit planned.

The Browns will surely do their due diligence when evaluating the position, but no other guard is known to be getting the same attention as Cohen by Cleveland.

When looking at the skillsets of Cohen, the interest makes a lot of sense. He is exceptional as a puller or even as a lead blocker on screens. Cohen is powerful and can move defenders using his strong upper body. Not only will he be an asset in the run game, but he was only accredited with one sack allowed in 1,332 pass protection reps.

Cohen is my seventh ranked interior offensive lineman and fourth ranked guard in this class. He will likely be available in the third round when the Browns are on the clock for pick 85.

Even if the Browns are not able to land the athletic mover at guard, the position should be a "must pick" with at least one of their five selections in the 2024 NFL Draft.