We are only one day and one round in the books, but it’s not too early to dive into the grades the Cleveland Browns have received online. Cleveland played it safe and selected an offensive tackle like mostly everyone expected, but it was which tackle that surprised a few folks.
Bleacher Report liked the selection of Wills, giving the pick a B+ grade noting the following, “The Browns can plug Wills in at left tackle (with Jack Conklin on the right) and be set for the 2020s, or move him inside to guard and get a guy with the leverage and consistency to hold his own against the Aaron Donalds of the world. I had Tristan Wirfs and Mekhi Becton ranked higher at tackle, but the offensive lineman the Browns preferred fell right into their laps.”
CBS Sports liked the Wills selection slightly less than Bleacher Report, but compared him to current Washington Redskins tackle, Trent Williams. Lead Draft analyst Pete Prisco added,
“There’s better upside from the other two tackles available. This kid is clearly a right tackle, but has the body of a guard. I think there will be a transition for him moving over to the left side if indeed that’s where they play him.”
Vinnie Iyer at The Sporting News also only gave the selection of Wills a B- grade and provided the following glowing review,
“The Browns needed another tackle after signing Jack Conklin to a big contract in free agency to replace Greg Robinson on the left side. They are banking on Wills, who also played on the right side at Alabama, to be athletic enough to make the transition and hold down Baker Mayfield’s blind side sooner rather than later. At first, he will be a big asset for Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. At 6-4, 312 pounds, Wills is a strong, powerful run-blocker who needs a little time to develop into an elite pass-protector.”
Finally from our brother site, Draft Wire, the Browns got high marks for Wills.
Baker Mayfield had Jack Conklin locked in at one tackle spot, and now he has a promising rookie with a bright future to make sure he’s protected and has time to take full advantage of all of his playmakers.
GRADE: A
