We have yet to see the Cleveland Browns’ offensive line starters in a preseason game, but to this point, we haven’t heard a lot of noise on them, which is a good thing. For much of the 2024 season, injuries and scheme issues plagued this group, which really held back the entire unit.
Familiar faces anchor this year’s offensive line
📰 » https://t.co/g7T0Ahdf18 pic.twitter.com/KHFubMi9Nt
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 2, 2025
The Browns were a bottom-ten team in passing yards and a bottom-four team in rushing yards, scoring, and third-down conversions. Basically, this team was able to run or throw the ball, and they struggled to stay on the field, which wore their defense out quickly.
With a four-quarterback competition between a veteran who is over the hill, a former first-round pick who has bounced around the league, and two rookies, it’s safe to say that the Browns won’t have elite quarterback play this season. BUT, if the offensive line can improve and get back to the Kevin Stefanski offense, this team can compete with anyone, but it will all start up front.
Similar to last year, it will be Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, and Wyatt Teller from left guard to right. Jack Conklin, who performed well last year after multiple injuries in seasons prior, will also be back at right tackle with a full camp under his belt for the first time in three seasons. The big change will be at left tackle, where Dawand Jones will fill in for the disappointing Jedrick Wills, who starts the 2025 season as a former top-ten pick without a team.
I would expect the Browns to carry at least nine offensive linemen, potentially ten, but carrying three quarterbacks could eat up one of those spots. The interior appears set in stone with Luke Wypler, Zak Zinter, and Teven Jenkins making the roster. Zinter, a 2024 pick, and Wypler, a 2023 pick have should both be safe, and Jenkins’ starting tackle experience will be massive as he moves to guard to make his life easier.
Jackson Barton and Cornelius Lucas got the most first-team reps in joint practice other than the starter, according to Chris Esterling of the Akron Beacon Journal, but Jason Ivey and Kilian Zierer will certainly be fighting for their spot or a potential practice squad position.
With injuries piling up so much over the last year, I see Andrew Berry and Stefanski keeping 10 linemen, with Barton and Lucas being the last two. If the Browns do go the route of nine, look for Barton to me the first man out.
