Despite a past tackle gamble, Browns' brass remains confident, viewing left and right tackle roles as interchangeable in today's NFL.
Andrew Berry's first-ever draft pick as general manager of the Cleveland Browns was using the 10th overall selection in 2020 to select offensive tackle Jedrick Willis.
Six years later, the pick was considered a bust after Wills spent the 2025 campaign away from football, focusing on getting healthy after numerous injuries derailed his tenure in Cleveland.
Health is part of the story for Wills flopping in the pros. It's hardly the only reason, however. His inconsistent effort left many wondering if he loved football enough.
Meanwhile, he was also asked to transition from being primarily a right tackle in college to left tackle in the NFL, something that can come with varying results depending on the player.
In Wills' case, it didn't go well. And while that truth may leave some Browns fans hesitant to attempt something similar with any potential rookies in this year's draft class, those in charge of the franchise seem far less concerned with history repeating itself.
Take Berry for instance. Asked about whether or not this years draft class lacks true left tackles, Berry brushed off that notion.
"I think the distinction between right and left tackles in today's game, the job descriptions, they're identical," he said at the NFL's annual meetings this week. "It's not like 25 years ago where you had an open side rusher or closed side rusher, you had right-handed formations. I mean, think about how we use Myles, right?"
He went on to rattle off several names of veteran tackles who have transitioned or in the process of transitioning from one side of the o-line to the other, just to underscore how common he believes it really is.
"In modern day football, think about it you have Tristan Wirfs who went from the right side to the left side," Berry explained. "You hear Detroit talking about moving [Penei] Sewell from the right side to the left side. Tyron Smith was a career right tackle in college and high school, moved to the left side. And then the other way, you have plenty of left tackles. Jack Conklin was a left tackle in college and moved to the right side. I just think those distinctions are a little bit outdated."
Ironically enough, Wirfs was taken three picks after Wills in 2020 – a fact that makes Berry's choice look even worse all these years later. Back then, Berry picked the wrong tackle, clearly.
However, he isn't letting that miss haunt him all these years later. In fact, he seems totally open to trying the experiment again if it presents itself.
New head coach Todd Monken isn't worried about it either. For him, the tackle spots might as well be interchangeable at this point.
"I think there's excellent depth in the offensive line world," Monken said in Phoenix last week. "And in some ways, left tackle and right tackle. Sure, it's important the left tackle with the right-handed quarterback. But I know this when TJ Watt lines up on the right side, you'd feel a lot better if you had a really good right tackle."
Philosophically speaking, the Browns appear comfortable with a number of options to address what remains one of their most glaring needs ahead of the NFL Draft. Just two weeks out from the main event, the words of Berry and Monken should provide some valuable context to how they'll approach their void at LT.
Browns Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Browns. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.