With free agency slowing down and the 2023 NFL Draft just a few weeks away, the Cleveland Browns have a need along the interior of the offensive line. The three starters are all set at both guard spots and center but the depth behind those players isn’t good. The team has signed guard Wes Martin to a deal earlier in free agency but that isn’t much to write home about.
The class in the draft isn’t a bad one and finding a young player to get coached up by Bill Callahan is never a bad idea. The team could add a player at the position in any round, let’s look at the options based on the round.
Round 3: Juice Scruggs, Penn State
Penn State’s Juice Scruggs provides great versatility having played both a season as the starting right guard and then the starting center. Having only allowed three sacks combined the past two years and the Browns likely to throw the ball more Scruggs would be great depth. He has decent movement skills and good hand placement and Callahan could do wonders with him.
Round 4: Andrew Vorhees, USC
The Browns might not have interest in Andrew Vorhees who is already 24 years old and will likely miss 2023 with an injury. But as far as the player on the field he is a day-two talent that could fall to day three and would be of tremendous value. He is a mauler-style player that has great strength and uses great leverage to drive people back in the run game. Vorhees provides depth at guard but has experience playing at a high level at left tackle as well.
Round 5: Jaxson Kirkland, Washington
Another player that played both left guard and left tackle is Washington’s, Jaxson Kirkland. A fundamentally sound player Kirkland didn’t allow a sack in 2022 at left guard while also being solid in the run game. He has good awareness as a pass protector and good overall vision when climbing to the next level in the run game.
Round 6: Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame
Another really experienced player with experience at both guard and center is Notre Dame’s, Jarrett Patterson. He lacks good lateral mobility but he has a solid base and good technique to get it done in both facets of the game. You won’t ask Patterson to pull or move much but his intelligence on the field would provide solid depth in case of injury.
Round 7: Alex Forsyth, Oregon
Oregon’s Alex Forsyth is intriguing as a player that came from a more spread offense that could have similarities to the Browns’ new offense in 2023. He moves well in space and understands his assignments in both the passing and rushing games. He isn’t the strongest player but he uses good technique and athleticism to get the job done.
