The Cleveland Browns’ offensive line is in total shambles, but it’s not too late to fix it.
After Browns offensive tackle Dawand Jones went down with a season-ending knee injury, Cleveland turned to three year veteran and former Raider, Thayer Munford Jr., who was previously on the practice squad for the New England Patriots.
Munford has had an on-and-off professional career so far, primarily serving as a backup, but has started in a game every season of his career. In 2023, Munford started a career-high 10 games for the Raiders.
However, Munford’s arrival shouldn’t be the only move Cleveland makes to address its offensive line.
Jones being out is pivotal, but the Browns have continuously fell victim to the injury bug with tackle Jack Conklin.
Conklin is a former two-time All-Pro including in 2020 when he received All-Pro honors in his first season with the Browns, but since then, he’s been unreliable.
Since 2020, let’s take a look at Conklin’s games played in each season:
- 2021: Seven games played
- 2022: 14 games played
- 2023: One game played
- 2024: 12 games played
- 2025: Already missed Week 2 and Week 3
So, it’s clear that Conklin, albeit tremendously talented, is not the kind of player that Cleveland should be relying on in the future, especially since it has an out clause after this season.
Which is why the Browns should be looking towards the trade market.
The relationship between the New York Giants and former third overall pick, Evan Neal is clearly not working.
Neal seemingly struggled in his first few seasons as the Giants’ right tackle, which is why they opted to move him to guard this offseason. However, Neal hasn’t played one game this season due to being buried on the depth chart behind Greg Van Roten.
But if New York put so much time into converting him, why isn’t he starting? The Giants aren’t exactly upholding a premium standard in terms of high-end offensive lines. They’re currently tied for last in pressures allowed with the Chicago Bears.
For Cleveland, going after Neal requires no risk. His value is at an all time low, so the most that the Browns could spend is a conditional seventh round pick.
It’s a low risk, potentially high reward move for the team, as Neal was a former All-American and served as a vital piece to Alabama’s 2020 National Championship run.
The time may be now for the Browns to pull the trigger, otherwise Neal may find himself elsewhere.