In their ongoing series spotlighting the predicted breakout performer for each NFL team in 2019, the Draft Network and analyst Joe Marino made an unusual choice for the Cleveland Browns.
Austin Corbett.
The second-year offensive lineman has yet to find his way into the first team at any spot. An abortive attempt to install him at his college position, left tackle, quickly washed out last summer. Now with the right guard position vacant following the trade of Kevin Zeitler to the Giants, Corbett has fallen behind unheralded Kyle Kalis.
While Corbett does say he’s getting some first-team reps, during the OTA and minicamp sessions open to the media he was clearly behind Kalis in terms of volume with the starters.
Marino holds firm to his pre-draft evaluation of Corbett coming out of Nevada,
A college left tackle, Corbett projects best inside at guard in the NFL. His mobility, power and technique make him a scheme-transcendent player and option for every team. A balanced blocker, Corbett offers upside as a pass blocker, run blocker and as a move blocker. Proving he can perform consistently on the inside where the opponents are bigger and the action unfolds quicker is vital, but he fared well at the Senior Bowl at guard. In year one, Corbett has plug and play potential given his experience and physical traits. By year three, Corbett should be an excellent starter who is considered a foundational piece of his offensive line.
It will be interesting to see if the 2018 second-round pick can fulfill the potential by Year 3. His Year 2 doesn’t appear all that promising despite the lofty initial opinion, based on the early returns.
