Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry put in some heavy lifting during the offseason to fix the offensive line.
The 2026 NFL Draft brought in Spencer Fano, the presumptive starter at left tackle, Austin Barber, a versatile player with a nice amount of upside, and Parker Brailsford, who the Browns will give ample opportunity to win the starter’s job at center this summer.
It is not all about the rookies, of course, as Berry fortified the line with veterans Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins, and Tytus Howard, while also retaining Teven Jenkins.
There is one player who has been lost in the shuffle a bit, and that is fourth-year tackle Dawand Jones, who once upon a time appeared to be ready to step in as a starter at one of the tackle spots.
Things have not gone to plan, however, as, through no fault of his own, Jones has suffered a major season-ending injury in each of the past three seasons. He made it 11 games as a rookie before tearing his MCL. In 2024, he fractured his left fibula 10 games into the season. Last season, it only took three games for the injury goblin to strike, as Jones suffered a torn LCL and a hamstring avulsion that knocked him out for the year.
Now, after all the focus on the offense line, combined with Jones only playing in 24 games the past three seasons, the former fourth-round draft pick could be entering training camp on uncertain terms.
But if Jones can prove he is healthy and up to the task, the Browns will reportedly “find a starting job” for him, even if it means moving him to guard, which he has never played in the NFL.
“I’m not putting a swing tackle on Dawand … (he’s) going to come in and compete, right? We’re not conceding anything. And he’s not conceding. I think he’s had a really good spring. I think training camp’s going to be even better for him. I really enjoy coaching him. I think he can be a really good player in this league. So swing tackle, I don’t know. I’m going to see if he can start for us in some capacity before I say he’s a swing tackle.
“Anybody that can be themselves all the time, I appreciate,” he said. “He doesn’t have any pretenses. You can be frank with him, and it’s not an issue. He listens. He tries to do what you ask, and as a coach, that’s all you want.”
It has been a rough three years for Jones as injuries have continued to plague him.
But even with the changes along the offensive line, he may still have a chance this summer to show the Browns they need to find a spot for him along the offensive line.
