In its annual projection of the breakout players for each NFL team, Bleacher Report made an interesting choice for the Cleveland Browns. With skill position candidates like David Njoku, freshly re-signed Rashard Higgins and second-year starting CB Greedy Williams all viable candidates, they opted for first-round pick Jedrick Wills.
It’s an interesting choice, though it does make some sense based on what kind of impact Wills can have on the team as the starting left tackle.
After a miserable 2019 season that included struggles at the tackle position, the Browns made big changes at that spot in the offseason. Veteran Jack Conklin will be tasked with holding down the right side after joining the team in free agency. And Wills will ostensibly flip to the left side after playing right tackle for left-handed signal caller Tua Tagovailoa in Tuscaloosa last year.
With so many other standouts on the offense already well-established, it makes sense to roll with Wills as the breakout candidate. That’s another part of the equation alluded to in the notes,
“The Browns have no shortage of offensive firepower, but for Baker Mayfield to bounce back this year, he needs better blocking ahead of him.”
Helping Mayfield get back to his rookie sensation form would definitely qualify Wills as the breakthrough standout in Cleveland.
