The Cleveland Browns are wasting no time addressing one of their most glaring issues heading into next season: the offense. And they’ve started with a bold move-bringing in Todd Monken, the former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator, to breathe life into a unit that’s been stuck in neutral for far too long.
Monken’s arrival signals a shift. His track record suggests a more modern, dynamic approach-something the Browns have sorely lacked.
But let’s be clear: coaching changes alone won’t fix what’s broken. The offensive line has been a major pain point, and that’s where the real work begins.
Injuries and inconsistent play plagued Cleveland up front last season, and the situation is about to get even more complicated. Four of the five starters on the offensive line are set to hit free agency, including veterans Wyatt Teller, Ethan Pocic, and Joel Bitonio. That’s not just a crack in the foundation-it’s a full-blown structural issue.
Enter Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor, a name that’s quickly gaining traction in draft conversations around the Browns. According to Ryan Smith of Pro Football Focus, Proctor could be the ideal building block for a much-needed offensive line rebuild.
And the numbers back that up. Proctor is one of just seven offensive linemen in the country to earn PFF grades north of 80.0 in both pass protection and run blocking-a rare blend of power and versatility.
At 6-foot-7 and 366 pounds, Proctor is a mountain of a man. While some scouts question whether he’s better suited for guard than tackle at the pro level, his skill set gives teams options. That kind of flexibility is invaluable, especially for a team like Cleveland that’s facing a potential overhaul in the trenches.
The Browns hold the No. 24 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft-thanks to last year’s trade with the Jaguars-and Proctor is expected to still be on the board when they’re on the clock. They also own the No. 6 pick, giving them a rare opportunity to make a double impact in the first round.
There are a few different ways this could play out. Cleveland could go all-in on the offensive line, taking someone like Spencer Fano or Francis Mauioga at No. 6, then circling back to grab Proctor at 24.
That would be a strong one-two punch to fortify the line for the long haul. Or, if they decide to add a top-tier wide receiver like Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson early, Proctor could still be a high-value pick later in the round.
No matter the route, one thing is clear: this offense won’t take a step forward until the line does. The Browns’ quarterback situation has drawn plenty of headlines, but the real story is up front.
If they want to give their signal-caller a chance-whoever that ends up being-they need to win at the line of scrimmage. That starts with getting younger, stronger, and more reliable in the trenches.
Todd Monken might be the spark, but Kadyn Proctor-or a player like him-could be the cornerstone.