The Cleveland Browns offense has left a lot to be desired in the early portions of the 2024 season. Quarterback Deshaun Watson hasn’t been able to get on the same page with his receivers and the offense just hasn’t been able to get into a consistent rhythm all season. A lot of the blame can be placed at the feet of Watson, who has been a major disappointment since arriving in Cleveland, but the offensive line in front of him hasn’t done him any favors.
Cleveland has fielded one of the worst offensive lines in football this season, and it is due in large part to injuries. They have suffered a plethora of injuries along the line, particularly when it comes to their offensive tackles. Heading into their Week 4 matchup against the Raiders, Cleveland will be without their top two offensive tackles, Jedrick Wills, Jack Conklin. They've also lost a starting guard, Wyatt Teller, to injured reserve as well, and saw one of their few remaining options at tackle, James Hudson, leave last week's game with a shoulder injury.
The fact that the Browns have been able to be competitive at all -- losing each of their last two games by less than seven points -- under those circumstances should be lauded, but if the Browns are going to have any hope in 2024, they’re going to have to do something to improve their situation. Kristopher Knox, NFL analyst for Bleacher Report, believes the answer may come from free agency. In his latest for Bleacher Report, Knox took a look at some veterans still available who could have an instant impact if signed, and he’s landed on two offensive linemen for the Browns.
First up is former Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, and Buffalo Bills offensive tackle La’el Collins. Collins was once one of the best and most consistent offensive linemen in the game. From 2015 to 2021, Collins didn’t miss a game for the Cowboys, playing both tackle and guard for them during that stretch.
Age and injuries have caught up to Collins in a major way, and he has struggled to stick with teams since. Still, with some time off to rest and recoup from his injuries, Collins could step in and give the Browns some much-needed depth at both tackle and guard. He’s not likely to be a consistent starter for them, but they wouldn’t need him to be if Conklin, Wills, and Jones can come back.
If the Browns aren’t keen on Collins, or want to give themselves even more insurance at the position, Knox also links them to a two-time Super Bowl champion in the form of former Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Donovan Smith. Like Collins, Smith is still just 31 years old but is still on the free agent market, despite being recently trusted to protect the blindside of Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes.
Unlike Collins, much of the reason for Smith still being on the market has to do with a history of penalties, according to ESPN NFL analyst Bill Barnwell, who points out that over the past four seasons, Smith has committed 29 penalties – tied for third-most in the league over that span.
Neither player will be signed in time to help the Browns out in Week 4 against the Raiders, but if they don’t get at least one of Wills, Conklin, or Jones back soon, they may have no choice but to sign someone to try and keep Watson upright going forward.
