The Browns have been one of the season’s surprise teams in terms of results, but one problem is staring them in the face with the trade deadline approaching: the offensive line is not holding up.
Deshaun Watson has already been sacked 24 times through the first six games, making him the most-sacked quarterback in the NFL this season. Some of that comes back to Watson, but the line has not done him many favors.
He was held to 164 passing yards this past week, and on film he never looked settled in the pocket. More often than not, he was scrambling just to keep a play alive.
That kind of pressure makes it nearly impossible for a quarterback to settle in or trust what is developing downfield. It also limits what Todd Monken can call, because several concepts simply do not have the time to unfold. The Browns need better protection, whether that comes from internal changes or outside help.
The passing game, though, is only part of the problem. The run game has been the bigger disappointment.
Cleveland has built its identity around the ground attack for years, but that edge has not shown up this season. Some criticism has landed on Quinshon Judkins, but the film points more toward the blocking in front of him.
The holes that should be there for a bigger back like Judkins just are not opening the way they did last season. A quicker back like Jaleel McLaughlin can slip through the initial crease a little easier, but the overall run blocking still needs work.
That is why the line group should be the focus at the deadline. The Browns could start by moving pieces around internally. All five starters are new in 2026, so there is still room to see whether a different alignment helps them settle in.
If that does not do the trick, a rookie like Parker Brailsford could get a look. Another path is free agency, where the Browns have $15 million in cap space to work with. That might be enough to add a veteran lineman, and Jack Conklin is available.
A trade is also on the table, though that comes with a tougher question: what do you give up, and for whom? If Cleveland can land a starter who can be part of the picture for years, it may be worth using draft capital. But giving up picks for a short-term answer is a harder sell, especially with the Browns having already found some success in the draft, including Austin Barber.
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