Cleveland Browns: Their Former 1st-Round Pick Will Make His Season Debut

The Cleveland Browns host the New York Giants at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday. The Browns released their final injury report for Week 3 on Friday, and their top two offensive tackles were questionable. Unfortunately, their All-Pro will not play.

The Cleveland Browns ruled out their All-Pro RT with a new injury

As previously mentioned on Gridiron Heroics, the Browns ruled out Jack Conklin yesterday, and he will not make his season debut. Conklin has been rehabbing from his season-ending knee injury sustained from last season’s opener. He was going to return to the football field but suffered a hamstring injury later in the week. Once again, Dawand Jones gets the nod at right tackle.

Left tackle is a different story.

The Cleveland Browns former 1st-round pick will make his season debut

According to Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal, Jedrick Wills Jr. will make his season debut and start against the New York Giants. Wills has missed their first two games to recover from his season-ending knee injury sustained last November. He was a limited participant in Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday’s practice and was questionable.

Jedrick Wills Jr. to start at LT for #Browns vs. #Giants. Inactives are: QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (3QB), RB Pierre Strong Jr., CB Kahlef Hailassie, G Javion Cohen, T Jack Conklin, WR Jamari Thrash, TE David Njoku

— Chris Easterling (@ceasterlingABJ) September 22, 2024

The impact of having Jedrick Wills Jr. in the starting rotation

Having Wills back in the starting rotation at left tackle benefits the offensive line because he is an upgrade over James Hudson III. Hudson has allowed the second most pressures, the seventh most hurries, the most hits, and has the sixth lowest pass block grade among offensive tackles who have played at least 20% of snaps, per PFF. Although he isn’t an elite left tackle, he is clearly a better option than Hudson.

Wills is also playing for a contract since he’ll be an unrestricted free agent after the season’s end. If he has a good season, he could earn a lucrative contract with the Cleveland Browns or another desperate NFL team. If he doesn’t, he might have to settle for a “prove it deal.”

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