The offseason has arrived, and it figures to be a busy one in Cleveland as the Browns evaluate the highs and lows of the 2021 season. We're doing some evaluations, too, by taking a thorough look at how each position fared throughout the year.
Next up: the offensive line
The Raw Numbers
Rushing yards per game - 145.4 (4th in NFL)
Sacks allowed: 49 (27th in NFL)
Sack yards allowed: 299 (22nd in NFL)
Analysis in 150 Words or Less
The offensive line couldn't uphold the same overall consistency that was such a huge part of the Browns' success from 2020, but that was largely because the group was rarely at full strength at both tackle positions. Both guards, Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio, were selected for the Pro Bowl, however, and were huge reasons why the Browns still found success in the run game. Both also received mid-season contract extensions that will put them in Cleveland through 2025. RT Jack Conklin and LT Jedrick Wills Jr. each battled injuries throughout the year, which led to frequent usage of rookie OT James Hudson, Blake Hance and Michael Dunn. Hudson, in particular, improved as the season progressed, but the Browns will certainly look forward to bringing back five healthy starters for the start of 2022.
Number of Significance
5.09 - The Browns didn't finish a single game this season with all of their primary starters intact, yet they still led the NFL with 5.09 yards per rush, the highest by the team since 1966. That speaks volumes as to how reliable the group is — especially in the interior with Bitonio and Teller — and suggests that the Browns still have room to be even better in the run department.
Check out photos of G Joel Bitonio, DE Myles Garrett, RB Nick Chubb, G Wyatt Teller and CB Denzel Ward at the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl in Las Vegas, Nevada
Cleveland Browns offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) talks with Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a 2022 Pro Bowl practice on Thursday, February 3, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24), Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) race each other during the 2022 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) warms up before the 2022 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Cleveland Browns offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) looks on during a 2022 Pro Bowl practice on Thursday, February 3, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) hands the ball off to Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) during a 2022 Pro Bowl practice on Thursday, February 3, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
AFC cornerback Denzel Ward of the Cleveland Browns is seen before competing at the 2022 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown Wednesday, February 2, 2022, in Las Vegas. The event will be broadcast Thursday at 7:00 pm ET on ESPN. (Gregory Payan/AP Images for NFL)
AFC running back Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns competes in the Dodgeball Event at the 2022 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown, Wednesday, February 2, 2022, in Las Vegas. The event will be broadcast Thursday at 7:00 pm ET on ESPN. (Gregory Payan/AP Images for NFL)
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) looks on during a 2022 Pro Bowl practice on Saturday, February 5, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) looks on before the 2022 Pro Bowl game on Sunday, February 6, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Cleveland Browns offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) looks on during a 2022 Pro Bowl practice on Thursday, February 3, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Cleveland Browns offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77), Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly (78) and Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown (57) interact during a 2022 Pro Bowl practice on Thursday, February 3, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) pose for a photo after the 2022 Pro Bowl game on Sunday, February 6, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) warms up before the 2022 Pro Bowl game on Sunday, February 6, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates after an interception during the 2022 Pro Bowl game on Sunday, February 6, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates after an interception during the 2022 Pro Bowl game on Sunday, February 6, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Cleveland Browns offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) and Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown (57) in action during the 2022 Pro Bowl game on Sunday, February 6, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) runs the ball during the 2022 Pro Bowl game on Sunday, February 6, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) sets up to break up a pass during the 2022 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) in action during a 2022 Pro Bowl practice on Thursday, February 3, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10), Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24), Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) race each other during the 2022 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) looks on during a 2022 Pro Bowl practice on Thursday, February 3, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Logan Bowles/NFL)
High Point
The Browns displayed a rushing clinic in Week 5 against the Chargers when they rushed for a season-high 230 yards, made possible by plenty of open holes created up front. Nick Chubb rushed for a season-high 161 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown run that was one of his longest sprints of the season. QB Baker Mayfield was also sacked just once as the group provided him with plenty of time and space to pass for 305 yards, his second-highest total of the year. Despite the ample production, the Browns fell 47-42 to the Chargers.
Low Point
The Browns had only three of their normal starters available in Week 15 against the Raiders due to injuries and several COVID-19 positive tests that took a deep hit to their depth. One of those starters, Bitonio, actually started at left tackle for the first time in his career, while Dunn started at left guard and Hance started at right tackle. With Nick Mullens at QB, the Browns battled for four full quarters and scored a go-ahead touchdown with 3:54 left, but the Raiders stole the game with a field goal as time expired to win 16-14 — a brutal way to end a brutal week for the entire roster.
What They Said
"That says a lot about our team and about our offensive line. Those guys work hard for us up front. They block a lot of big guys and have stacked boxes that they still plug their way through it, get to the second level and hit the linebackers and block defensive linemen very well." - Chubb, crediting the O-line for finishing second in the league in rushing yards
Who's Back for 2022?
All five of the Browns' O-line starters are under contract for 2022. Fourth-round rookie tackle James Hudson and 2020 fifth-rounder C Nick Harris are also both set to return.
Who's a Potential Free Agent
Chris Hubbard, an eight-year veteran who has spent four seasons in Cleveland and was a reliable swing tackle in 2020. He suffered a season-ending triceps injury in Week 1 in 2021.
2022 Outlook
The Browns could explore options this offseason to provide more depth, particularly at the tackle positions, but the group is still in great shape to possibly be one of the league's strongest offensive lines in 2022 and beyond. Wills, Bitonio and Teller are all set to be in Cleveland through at least 2023, and with Tretter and Conklin under contract through 2022, the Browns don't have to complete any major re-shuffling to the group. Health will be crucial for improvement next season, but the group proved this season that it can still be great when injuries arise.
